A denial of a federal grant has led participants to ask questions about the future of the drug court in Kosciusko County.
Drug court is a program that takes non-violent, high-risk drug offenders and attempts to rehabilitate them through case management and intensive supervision rather than jail.
Kosciusko County launched the drug court in 2014 after a federal grant was obtained to establish the program.
Ron Ousley, case manager for the program, said he was informed during a phone call with the Bureau of Judicial Assistance, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice, that the county was denied a grant that would continue to fund the program.
The federal grant that funded the first three years of the program is set to expire Sept. 30.
Ousley said he was told that unless other funding is found, his last day will be Sept. 30.
Ousley’s salary of $49,000 a year was funded through the grant.
It is not clear yet why the grant was denied, Ousley said.
Ousley was talking with the person who oversees the grant recently when he learned of the denial, but said he has not received formal notification.
“It’s not about me, it’s about them. I want this program to continue,” Ousley said.
Unlike probation, Ousley meets with his participants multiple times a week sometimes. A traditional probation officer meets with offenders about once a month.
Participants in the drug program fear that if Ousley is gone, the other case managers would not have the manpower to provide participants the attention they need.
“The other people have other jobs and responsibilities. All Ron does is drug court,” said Dru Hicks, a participant in the program who is slated to finish the program in November.
Ousley currently supervises all but three of the 30 active drug court participants.
County Councilwoman Joni Truex said she was surprised when Ousley informed her of the situation.
“We tell everyone who starts a program funded by a grant that if the grant expires the position will removed,” she said.
Before Monday’s regular drug court session several participants aware of the circumstances offered Ousley letters of support. Other letters came from people who graduated the program and family members of those involved.
Leslie Golden, who has a son in drug court, said Ousley is a big reason her son turned his life around.
She said Ousley is willing to meet with participants any hour of the day.
She fears without the drug court and Ousley’s influence, others may end up in prison.
“He’s always willing to talk with us or meet with us,” said Brad Niles, a drug court participant.
Ousley said he will give the letters to the county council.
Ousley said he believes the program has saved the county $600,000 since drug court began from having fewer people incarcerated in the jail or Indiana Department of Corrections facilities.
Kosciusko Prosecutor Dan Hampton said he’s optimistic the funds will be found.
“I think we can keep drug court and its current structure,” Hampton said.
Hampton said he is looking at other state and local grants to provide the funding.
But he added, “The money will not come out of the county coffers.”
Hampton added he will also discuss options with Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed, who oversees the program but is currently on vacation.
Ousley said they are looking at other options, such as merging the court with the community corrections program or finding other state and federal money.
Ousley said once he receives formal denial, he will work to improve the areas which caused the denials, then re-apply for the grant.
Ousley said the plan would be to reapply in fall 2018.
If given the opportunity, Ousley said he would like to expand the program and fund it though user fees.
