COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state of Ohio is now offering $7.5 million in grant funding to support the expansion of specialized court programs focusing on recovery from substance use or mental health disorders.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement Tuesday that the funding will help specialty courts in Ohio direct those arrested for non-violent crimes toward recovery.
Specialized court dockets allow judges the flexibility to place defendants with mental health or substance use disorders into treatment rather than sentencing them to jail.
The grants to be awarded through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services are funded through Ohio’s 2020-2021 operating budget. Courts not currently receiving specialized docket or drug court grant funding can apply.
The money can be used for payroll costs and recovery supports among other things.