Simplifying structure

After years of functioning as its own nonprofit program with a volunteer board, Treatment Court will fall under the umbrella of Sweetwater County in the future.

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to begin taking steps to bring Treatment Court under the management of the county during the May 20 commissioner meeting.

Treatment Court is a program that focuses on helping people in the court system who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. It has been operated as a partnership between local law enforcement, the Sweetwater County Attorney's Office, Circuit Court, and other local organizations.

The idea of bringing Treatment Court under the county's oversight was initially presented to the commissioners two months ago. During the March 18 meeting, Sweetwater County Circuit Court Judge John Prokos proposed a change to the program's management structure, suggesting the county could assume control as a sub-agency. The commissioners raised questions about the funding required to run the program, but said they were open to hearing more details about the idea as options were explored.

Judge Prokos brought the idea forward again this week, with County Human Resources Director Garry McLean sharing a presentation going over the details of Treatment Court and how it could become a part of the county's operations.

When it comes to operating the program under the county, McLean explained that there are multiple benefits, especially the ability to remove duplicated costs and make the program's management more efficient, with the funding going toward the program and not toward overhead costs. It will also help increase oversight and accountability for the program, McLean said.

Judge Prokos added that the county overseeing Treatment Court will bring coherence to the structure of the program that's been lacking, will simplify auditing, and will create straight lines of communication while the program continues to be a team approach.

Another benefit is that Treatment Court is already funded.

"The program should not cost the county any money," McLean told the commissioners.

Both he and Judge Prokos admitted that these kinds of claims usually sound too good to be true, but stressed that it is accurate in this case.

Treatment Court receives funding from the State of Wyoming on a biennium budget for two years at a time. For the current biennium, the program has received over $479,000 from the state. The program is also funded by opioid funding grants.

Bringing Treatment Court under the county's management will not only not cost the county anything, but will also not take many changes, according to McLean. He explained that the program is already connected to county departments and systems, so the changes to be made are bringing the program into the budget process and amending contracts for the personnel who operate the program, specifically the Treatment Coordinator.

The commissioners unanimously approved a motion to make changes to contracts that will begin the process of bringing the Treatment Court program under the county's management.

"I think this is a good idea," Commissioner Island Richards said. "I think this is a function that we can be a part of and make more efficient and effective."