JCDPC pursuing recovery residence

A location has been selected as the potential site for a recovery residence in Jay County.

Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition is moving forward with purchasing a house in Redkey. If acquired, plans are to renovate the building to meet standards for a sober living facility.

Jay County Commissioners approved two requests for opioid settlement funds — $35,060 for a feasibility study on the building and $2,500 in earnest money — during their regular meeting Monday.

As part of the National Opioid Settlement, Indiana is receiving about $507 million over an 18-year period. The dollars are being split between the state and local entities. Jay County has about $171,800 available so far from the settlement. (According to Next Level Recovery Indiana — in.gov/recovery — the county is expected to receive nearly $1.33 million over a 15-year period. Each municipality will also receive funding, varying between $1,000 for Salamonia to $52,500 for Portland.) Those dollars are subject to change with pending lawsuits, legislation and other factors. Approximately $143,000 of the county’s allotment so far are restricted funds, meaning they must follow specific guidelines outlined in the settlement agreement.

Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition formed a task force per commissioners’ request to determine how to spend the allocated dollars. 

The group decided on a recovery residence, which falls under the settlement’s guidelines for restricted funds. It will be operated by Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition, specifically with folks who have experienced addiction managing the residence.

Kimbra Reynolds, executive director of Jay Country Drug Prevention Coalition, explained Monday that the task force recently made an offer on the home at 319 N. Meridian St., Redkey, and the offer has been accepted. (On property selling website Zillow, the home is priced at $224,900.) Before moving forward with closing on the property, the next steps include conducting a feasibility study on the house and obtaining additional grant dollars.

Part of the process of developing a sober living facility also includes getting certified by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, which has certain structural guidelines in place such as allotments for sleeping space and amenities for residents. Plans are to create a facility for men and, if it’s successful, someday look into offering services at another location for women. (The closest recovery residence to Jay County is Fresh Start Recovery Center, a Winchester facility for women.)

Commissioner Brian McGalliard — he’s a member of the task force — noted the property needs to be large enough to house 15 to 16 residents. Reynolds explained that occupancy limit would fulfill financial sustainability needs.

At just over 6,500 square feet, the building currently has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition plans to contract with RQAW for $35,060 to learn how much work will need to be done.

Commissioner Chad Aker and McGalliard both voiced support for the project.

“This is something that’s badly needed in Jay County,” said Aker, noting his own experience as a firefighter in Portland. “Just asking (folks) questions, and it’s just like, ‘Well, I get out of jail, I’ve got no place to go, so I go right back to my same buddies, that’s who will take me back in’ … we need to break that cycle, and especially if you’ve got somebody who really wants to get clean, this is the best option for them.”