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Substance Abuse Council nears approval for $36,000 in grants

John Clark

The Bartholomew County Substance Abuse Council is recommending approval of $36,000 in direct grants to local organizations fighting the drug epidemic.

Council President Rick Scalf explains:

The largest grant this cycle is to the Columbus Police Department for $4,500 to pay for overtime of narcotics officers. The grant list has been approved by the state and county commissioners, but still needs approval from the County Council. That request should be in front of the council next month, he said.

Proposed grants:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters: Youth mentoring — $4,300
  • Community Church of Columbus/Tuesday Connections: ATOD and choices education. Participation generally involves 200 or more individuals each Tuesday night. This involves marijuana education, 12-week education series for youth, adults, and children, and Insight – a weekly support group for adults who have loved ones who are battling an addiction. — $3,000
  • Reach Healthy Communities – Tobacco Cessation Initiatives: The Healthy Lifestyles Action Team will use the grant monies to purchase Smoker’s Aids Kits. The kits essentials that the smokers can use when they have an urge to smoke. — $715
  • Advocates for Children/Youth Support: Funding to engage children in welfare system in asset-building activities that incur cost (i.e. art, music, athletics) — $2,670
  • Turning Point Domestic Violence Services: Victims of Domestic Violence/Assessment Materials. Upon entering victim are screened for both mental health and substance abuse issues. The screening determines the education needed to minimize chances for substance abuse becoming a coping mechanism. — $3,000
  • Turning Point Domestic Violence Services: Victims of Domestic Violence/Assessment Materials. These funds are also used to break down barriers that clients may have financially to be able to get started with an IOP program, group and or individual counseling to address substance abuse and mental health issues. — $1,000
  • Community Church of Columbus/Tuesday Connections: Celebrate Recovery Inside: The jail version of Celebrate Recovery designed for those incarcerated. It is based on 24 weekly sessions working through the 8 Principles/12 Steps of recovery. Once released they can easily join a regular on-going CR group.– $2,583
  • Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation/Youth Care Fund: Counseling for youth and families in at-risk situations — $4,000
  • St. Peters LifeWorks IOP Program : Program/Counseling Materials: This is a 16 week program that is based on the Matrix Model. It involves group treatment three evening each week. — $4,380
  • Bartholomew County Court Services: Pay for translation services for Spanish-only speaking clients who often present with an alcohol or drug related offense — $3,000
  • Columbus Police Department: Overtime for narcotics officers to work on drug investigations — $4,500
  • Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department: The purchase of two Lidar units, an Alco-Sensor FST Portable breath tester, and 500 portable breath testers. — $4,014