Governmental decisions made in haste without all the necessary information are rarely good decisions. The County Commissioners are stewards of the County finances and that responsibility extends to the distribution of the Opioid Substance Abuse Funds. During incredibly tight financial times in the General County budget, the Commissioners are charged with selecting the recipients of over a million dollars in funding to curb the drug problem in our county. Those decisions cannot be made with two commissioners stating simply that the organization “does good work” and ramrodding the funding through.
Each application needs to be considered on the basis of results, program certification, and if they are serving the County’s populace. That’s why I was astonished to see Family Care Excellence’s request for $800,000 to construct a new building on the agenda for approval at Thursday’s commission. . Commission Tommy Ogden argued against the award for several good reasons. He had requested a workshop to examine in depth all the proposals brought before the Commission. It is tremendously distressing that Commissions Chek and Cowey did not agree to participate. Ogden questioned the cost/foot the organization was seeking as being way too high. The proposal was amended to $100,000 and the Commission and the group arriving at a memorandum of understanding
It was government at its worst. Two Commissioners not wanting to participate in a workshop to evaluate the program with the Family Care Excellence officials answering questions about their methodology in fighting the substance abuse program. Chek and Cowey instead were determined to quickly pass through funding for an organization that is faith-based and not credentialed by the State of West Virginia. If the original proposal of $800,000 from Family Care Excellence had been awarded it would have been the bulk of the Opioid distribution for Hancock County.
I questioned Jason Lytle, president of Family Care Excellence, as to why the organization was not credentialled by the State of West Virginia to administer care. The organization does not have therapists or social workers who are licensed. He said they work with facilities that can treat these addicts.
Lytle explained to me that the organization is faith- based and scattered throughout their promotional materials are references phrases labeled “for those who hope in Jesus.” So, using that criteria, the program would not be for Jewish addicts. I am Catholic and do not ascribe to their believes, so if I had a problem, the program would not be where I go to get help. A law enforcement person mentioned to me to look at the number of West Virginia residents vs. Ohio residents enrolled in the program. I asked Lytle for those statistics. He could not provide them. That is vital since the funds are to be used to treat West Virginia residents. I asked about the use of the of new building and while I heard the Commissioners mention men’s dorms what I heard from Lytle resembled more of an event room.
Any organization that is requesting funds should be required to hand over its financial information. Their brochure speaks of $500 in tuition costs for each participant. Fundraisers appear on the Facebook. The most concerning to me is a fundraiser to win a gun. A drug treatment organization who also houses victims of domestic violence raffling off a gun? The rationale of the leaders of this group escapes me. What message are they sending?
Commissioners need to slow down and follow Ogden’s lead. None of these awards should be rushed through without thorough vetting and Chek and Cowey need to agree to thoroughly examine the proposals. Those on the first line of dealing with substance abuse are the deputies and yet their numbers may be reduced. The proposal to pay the Regional Jail Bill which would free up the funds to prevent any deputy from being laid off has merit and should be considered.
The awarding of the Opioid Funds should not be done without looking at the composition of the organization; its results and methods; and its service to all Hancock County residents
Before the next regular Commission meeting, the workshops needs to be held, not just for Family Resource Legacy, but for all the applicants. Drugs are a serious issue and the awarding of these funds deserves a serious and thorough investigation into those who seek to be the solution.
