Ingham County, MI

Ingham County Government

michigan

Urban, Suburban, & Rural | Population: 284,637

Ingham County, Michigan, faces a severe public health crisis stemming from substance use disorders (SUD), particularly those linked to opioids and stimulants. Since 2011, the county has recorded over 900 overdose deaths, placing it among the most severely affected regions in the state. The Ingham County Jail population is disproportionately affected by SUD, and the county has struggled to identify a single funding source to support comprehensive SUD interventions, prompting a "braided funding" approach.

Key COSSUP Initiatives

universal screening and assessments

Comprehensive substance use screening at booking and follow-up assessments during incarceration.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Expand access to medications to treat opioid use disorders in the detention center and support continuity of care post-release.

overdose prevention

Train law enforcement officers, first responders, jail staff, and court personnel to prevent overdose fatalities.

diversion programs

Transfer eligible individuals to SUD treatment or specialty/diversion courts, with support for compliance with court-ordered programming.

peer recovery support services

Embed certified peer recovery coaches and social workers to assist individuals with SUD and their families.

Anticipated Benefits of Project

• Reduction in overdose fatalities

  This project aims to reduce overdose fatalities through access to timely and effective treatment, including medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) and naloxone distribution. 

• Increased public safety

  This project aims to increase public safety as individuals are diverted into recovery pathways.

• Increased treatment compliance

  With the support of peer recovery specialists and social workers, this project aims to increase treatment compliance and effectiveness. 

Collaborative Partners

• Ingham County Sheriff’s Office

• Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham Counties

• Ingham County Health Department

• Ingham Opioid Awareness & Prevention Initiative

• Wayne State University Center for Behavioral Health and Justice

Project Director

Captain Rob Earle, Jail Administrator
Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
rearle@ingham.org
517-676-8321

This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.