By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Kosciusko County’s new Community Recovery Program is coming together quickly.
Sheriff Jim Smith told Kosciusko County Council Thursday that they’re getting closer to hiring a resource navigator to oversee the program and that they’ve had about 30 applicants. He said they expect to fill the position in two to three weeks.
“It’s a testament to the community and they see the need for this program and we could not be more excited,” Smith told the County Council in a quick update Thursday morning.
The position, once filled, will work with a fleet of peer recovery coaches who will provide one-on-one support for inmates as they prepare to re-enter society.
Other aspects of the program are coming together.
Smith said Fellowship Missions has been providing an employee on a part-time basis who has been serving an interim role to help begin working with inmates.
Fellowship Missions is expected to open a recovery hub this summer in downtown Warsaw and will work closely with the jail’s emerging program.
In another development, the jail is set to begin offering a drug treatment program for inmates with addictions to opioids who are interested.
The “Medically Assisted Treatment” program is intended for people addicted to opioids, including heroin. The first inmate in the jail will begin using the drug, Vivitrol next week.
Smith said some are eager to participate.
“Everytime this inmate saw me, they were emphatic that they wanted to get on it so we’re making it happen and we’re excited to get that process going,” He said.
Much of the program is being funded with a variety of grant sources.
Smith provided the update during a council meeting Thursday morning in the county’s Justice Building.
