Local resident urges Ashland County to address closure of Wellness and Recovery Court

During the committee—s public-comment period, Rob Oclair of Bad River urged Ashland County officials to revisit the status of the Wellness and Recovery Court and consider placing an update on a future agenda. Oclair said several program graduates had returned to jail since the court paused and described seeing adverse outcomes among people who had previously benefited from the program.

"Many of the participants in Wellness and Recovery Court were doing well. I'm unfortunately seeing people not thrive now because of, you know, partially because of it ending," Oclair said, adding that he hoped the committee would consider public tracking or an announcement about the program—s potential return. The committee thanked him and kept the public hearing open to allow comment later in the meeting.

Committee members acknowledged the program—s value but also noted practical limits: reestablishing such a court depends on judicial participation, consistent funding and interagency coordination. Board members and staff said alternative efforts (for example, a TAD-like program pursued by law enforcement and the judiciary) are being explored, but the transcript records no formal plan to reinstate the Wellness and Recovery Court during this meeting.

The committee did not take a specific vote on the program at this session; members directed that the hearing remain open and discussed raising the topic on a future agenda or bringing it to the full county board for broader consideration.