WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Monroe County Commissioners are distributing more than $55,000 in grants to ten local organizations for their work in drug treatment, prevention, and support services.
The grants come through the Monroe County CARES Board, a coordinating council for the Governor’s Commission for a Drug Free Indiana. The awards are given in three categories: treatment, justice, and prevention. Commissioner Amanda Barge announced the recipients in the Commissioners’ September 6th meeting.
The CARES board awarded more than $14,000 in the justice category. Local non-profit New Leaf New Life received the largest award, $4,600. The Ellettsville Police Department, Monroe County Community Corrections, and the county’s drug treatment court also received grants.
In the prevention category, more than $17,000 were distributed to four organizations.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill says the grant money is sourced from court fees, not tax revenues.
Commissioners also approved contracts for recipients of the 2017 Sophia Travis Community Services Grant. Monroe County Council member Ryan Cobine said needs in the community have been outpacing the amount of grant money available.
Commissioner Julie Thomas acknowledged the challenge the grant committee faced in having to deny so many requests for funding.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday, September 13th.
