County says supervised visitation program will close after federal grant delay

County staff told the delegation that a supervised-visitation program serving families under court orders will be stopped after anticipated federal grant funding failed to materialize.

Officials explained the program had been supported by a federal grant that staff expected in October but the award did not arrive. Because the federal process left the county in extended uncertainty—with repeated federal questions but no award letter—administrators said they were directed to close the program rather than retain it on the expectation of a late grant. "We were supposed to hear in October, but they the feds still have not awarded it," the administrator said during the discussion.

Members asked what would happen to families who relied on the service and whether the county would coordinate with courts; staff said some short-term respite remained while they finalize the closure and that they could not predict how courts would change orders. Several members urged the county to coordinate with the judicial and family-services systems to limit harm to families dependent on the program.

The delegation recorded the program closure as an administrative consequence of grant uncertainty and asked staff to report any alternative options for bridging services if funding is not forthcoming.