Franklin County Fiscal Court approves application for $1 million opioid-treatment grant for alternative sentencing program

The Franklin County Fiscal Court on Jan. 7 approved a resolution authorizing an application to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission for a $1,000,000 treatment grant to fund an alternative-sentencing treatment program run in partnership with local providers.

Tracy Hopper, representing Franklin County Corrections, told the court the proposed funding would support drug and mental-health treatment, education and job-skills training, case management, and housing supports. "We are requesting a million dollar," Hopper said, describing a mix of in-custody and out-of-custody services, with Shepherd's House named as the primary treatment provider and Thornhill (Thornhill Learning/Education Center) and Kentucky Chambers/Second Chance employment partnering on education and job placement.

Magistrates pressed for details about match requirements, timing and possible competition with existing local applicants. Hopper said the application is due Jan. 17, awards are expected in March and grantees must begin work within roughly 90 days of award. She estimated staff-time matches of roughly "10%–30%" from participating agencies. Charlie Kendall, who has worked with local opioid-alliance partners, urged formal collaboration and documentation of linkages to make the county's application competitive.

Several community partners who addressed the court said they would join the effort. Kelly Anderson of Thornhill said her organization would participate and emphasized family-literacy and clinical social-work supports already housed at Thornhill. Wanda Joyce said the proposed grant includes funds to improve family-friendly jail visitation and that the administration was asking the court for approval to file the application and continue coordination with partners over the coming days.

Magistrates and staff discussed competition between prevention- and treatment-focused proposals in the same statewide pot. County officials said the commission split funds into prevention and treatment buckets; local groups pursuing prevention funding (including ASAP, health department partners and others) were separate from the jail's proposed treatment request. The county's opioid-alliance and the Commonwealth's review process will influence final decisions; county staff said Franklin County has a strong record with the commission but acknowledged a $1 million ask is large and competitive.

The court voted to authorize the application; the resolution was moved and approved during the regular voting session. The court also directed staff to continue outreach with local providers to avoid unnecessary competition and to provide follow-up briefings on partner responsibilities and reporting commitments.

What happens next: the court's authorization allows staff to finalize and submit the application by the Jan. 17 deadline. Award notices are expected in March and, if awarded, the program would need to be in operation within roughly 90 days of the award. The court asked for periodic reporting and an evaluation plan tied to partner data and University of Kentucky evaluation assistance included in the application.