A $487,487 grant from the state’s OneOhio Recovery Foundation will support the Portage County Adult Probation Department’s efforts to deliver additional services.
The funds are being directed to the department’s newly created TIMEOUT program (Trauma Informed Methods Engaging Outcomes Utilizing Thinking). Chief Probation Officer Hank Gibson said he is specifically targeting people who appear in felony drug court, misdemeanor drug court and misdemeanor mental health court, the latter being where people with mental health challenges would appear.
“This will allow us to hire staff to provide evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy programming to offenders who are battling substance abuse or co-occurring disorders,” Gibson said. “The programming that will be offered will provide coping mechanisms and skill sets to manage triggers that may lead to relapse and allow them to move forward with a successful, productive, drug-free lifestyle.”…