To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson
title
RE: Request to accept the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) grant contract from the Michigan State Police (MSP)
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Request to accept the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) grant contract from the Michigan State Police (MSP)
BACKGROUND:
Maintaining a census of approximately 600 individuals, the Genesee County Jail holds a large number of individuals with complex needs. Historically, people have been lodged with very little support, but a program called I.G.N.I.T.E. (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) was established in 2020, providing education opportunities such as a high school diploma, financial empowerment, nutrition, electrical, carpentry, and CDL training. Offering education opportunities to justice-involved individuals has proven to create a tremendous amount of positive momentum. However, there is still a major need to provide additional support as they return home. The R.I.S.E. Team was formed in 2023 and has begun providing mental health support, peer recovery coaching, and case management for social determinants of health in the Genesee County Jail and as people return home. While this has been helpful in building capacity to address the behavioral health needs of justice-involved individuals in Genesee County, there is still a major need to develop further programming that increases access to MAT /MOUD for this vulnerable population. When people enter the criminal justice system, their access to treatment changes. Many will lose insurance benefits and services. For those who begin receiving services while incarcerated, many lose access, sometimes immediately, when they return to the community. This can be particularly dangerous for people who suddenly lose access to prescribed medications. To ensure the best possible outcomes for individuals, which incl...
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