GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -A program to support the rehabilitation of inmates in the Mesa County Jail will continue after funding was approved for jail-based behavioral health services.
The $674,000 grant from the state Behavioral Health Administration will cover the cost of continuing the programs through the end of June 2027. The funding supports substance and opioid use disorder treatments and mental health services for people in custody.
The programs average between 150 and 225 clients on any given week, typically over half of the number at the Mesa County detention facility.
“If they are given the tools and the resources while they’re here, hopefully they can continue on and find places that’ll help them outside of the door and give them those resources to keep on the road to sobriety,” said Michele Wilkie, director of jail-based behavioral services.
Colorado requires detention facilities operated by counties to provide substance use and mental health treatment services.