Opioid settlement funding

Kyle Bowman, council chairman, said the council will hear other requests before making big decisions about the funds.

“There will be other requests,” Bowman said.

Gargiulo then addressed the council as director of Bowen Center requesting help with a grant she is applying for with the State of Indiana to bring more substance abuse and mental health treatment to Wabash County Jail.

The two-year grant comes from part of the state’s settlement fund and requires a contribution from the county, although it does not require a dollar-for-dollar match, Gargiulo said.

“What I would love to be able to do is increase the services we provide in the jail,” Gargiulo said.

“The center already provides some services in the jail.”

Gargiulo also hopes to add a criminal justice coordinator with the grant. The coordinator would follow inmates released from jail to ensure they have housing and access to treatment, she said.

The total cost of the new services would be $74,000 per year, Gargiulo said.

“My request is just a year of it,” Gargiulo told the council.

Since the grant does not require a one-to-one match of funds, any amount would be helpful, Gargiulo added.

The council awarded Gargiulo $12,000 a year to help fund the program for two years.

Dan Gray then offered his services