County applies for up to $175,000 in opioid-settlement funds to fund contracted social worker for crisis and overdose follow-up

The Sheriff told the safety committee the county submitted a request for up to $175,000 from opioid settlement funds administered through Rob York’s office. The application seeks funding for a contracted, licensed social worker to assist deputies on mental health and opioid-related calls and to perform follow-up with people after overdoses. The sheriff described the position as part time, able to work in the office and also to accompany deputies to crisis responses. The office envisions using the award across a multi-year period — the sheriff suggested a three-year horizon — so the county can assess whether the role reduces force or repeat crises before committing local payroll funds. The sheriff said the request was an early step and not a guarantee of funding; he said he had not yet mapped exact hours or the full budget. Committee members asked whether the position would be a county employee or an outside contractor; the sheriff said the preference was contracting the service rather than putting a new hire on the county payroll. Discussion included whether the position would respond overnight; the sheriff said the role was expected to include on-call responses as well as office time. The committee did not vote on hiring; the application for settlement funds is a grant request pending award and subsequent board direction.