- January 12, 2025
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The third time was the charm for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO).
After two years of applications and coming close to receiving an award each time, the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) has awarded FCSO almost $1,300,000 over the next three years to build upon its program to address substance abuse and mental illness among inmates in Flagler County.
Funded through USDOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Flagler County COSSAP (Comprehensive Opioid,
Stimulant & Substance Abuse Site Based Program) Project will allow FCSO to strengthen its SMART (Successful Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Treatment) Program offered to inmates at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility since March 2022.
“Federal grants like these don’t often get awarded to smaller counties like Flagler,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “They usually go to larger population centers. I truly believe that this award is an absolute testament to the innovative work we’re doing to provide evidence-based best practice solutions to improve inmate outcomes which, in turn, improves our community and helps inmates become productive citizens by kicking their addictions and addressing the mental health issues that got them in jail in the first place.”
BJA’s award of $1,299,969 will be used by FCSO to boost the SMART Program in a variety of ways, including adding a clinician for re-entry therapy, a peer specialist for coordination and follow-up and funding to assist in obtaining housing for inmates once they’ve left the Green Roof Inn. Additionally, it supports the hiring of a detention deputy who will focus on security during programs and release coordination, including transportation for the inmates to support services once released.
“The Green Roof Inn isn’t a place anyone wants to stay on a regular basis,” noted FCSO Court & Detention Services Chief Dan Engert. “Many of the people who cycle in and out of there battle serious demons which are often linked with drug addiction. This grant will help us help any inmate who wants to break the vicious cycle for good and get their life back on track. It should also lead to lower recidivism rates, which translates to a safer community for all who live, work or play in Flagler County.”
“This grant allows us to take our rehabilitation programs we have implemented since I became Sheriff to the next level,” added Staly. “Anytime we can bring federal and tax dollars paid by our citizens back to Flagler County, we do it.”
As part of the award, a three-person team of doctoral-level researchers from the University of North Florida and
Clemson University will evaluate how FCSO uses the grant money over the next three years.
