Kittitas County, WA
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office
WAshington
Rural | Population: 45,508Kittitas County, Washington, is a rural county in central Washington, spanning landscapes from the Cascade Mountains to the Columbia River, with a total population of approximately 45,508. The community faces pronounced public health and criminal justice needs, particularly related to substance use disorders. Opioid misuse is a critical concern: the county’s rate of publicly funded treatment admissions for opioid use is higher than the state average, and opioid-related deaths exceed both state and national rates (8.55 vs. 6.0 per 100,000). These challenges underscore the urgent need for comprehensive, evidence-based interventions that bridge the gap between incarceration and community-based care.
“The vision of the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office is to create a physical infrastructure and agency culture that enables us to provide the same level of service to our community that we would our own families.
The overall goal is not only to lower the reincarceration rate in our community and across our region but also to help clients prepare for reentry and help them on their path toward long-term recovery as well as becoming better people, parents, partners, and community members.”
—lt. edward buntin, jail administrator
Key Program Components
Medication-Assisted Treatment
311
individuals received mat services while in custody
Between Oct. 2023 and Jan. 2025
In June 2021, the Kittitas County Jail launched a comprehensive Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program under a previous Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use (COSSUP) grant. With additional funding from a 2023 COSSUP grant, the jail transitioned from three different virtual MAT providers to a single, in-person provider integrated into the jail’s regular medical services. Between October 1, 2023, and January 1, 2025, 311 individuals have received MAT services while in custody, demonstrating the program’s reach and commitment to addressing the opioid crisis at its core.
Continuity of Care
Recognizing the challenges of rural reentry, the jail has implemented an individualized reentry planning process, facilitated by strengthened partnerships with community providers. In 2024, 55% of individuals booked in the Kittitas County Jail received reentry services (excluding mental/behavioral health). To reduce barriers to post-release treatment, the jail collaborates with a community treatment partner to reserve a weekly two-hour block for walk-in MAT appointments at a local Suboxone clinic. Reentering individuals receive a card with appointment details, information from community providers, and a naloxone supply as part of their release packet. Notably, among prior participants, there have been zero known cases of fatal overdose post-release.
55%
of individuals in custody received reentry services in 2024
The program also addresses the unique challenges faced by individuals released outside the county’s service area by offering long-acting forms of MAT, providing a vital option for those who might otherwise face significant barriers to ongoing care.
Collaborative Planning with Community Partners
25+
partners share information, address barriers, and enhance services
The jail convenes a monthly meeting known as CLUTCH (Changing Lives Utilizing the Community’s Help), bringing together over 25 partners to share information, address barriers, and enhance services. Through this forum, stakeholders from across the county’s health, justice, and social service sectors collaborate to ensure a coordinated, community-driven response to substance use and reentry.
Collaborative Partners
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office
CompassDirect Healthcare
Comprehensive Healthcare
Community Health of Central Washington
Merit Resource Services
HopeSource
Kittitas County Recovery Community Organization
Kittitas County Health Network
Greater Health Now
Kittitas County Public Health
South Central Workforce
Ellensburg Police Department
Washington State Department of Corrections
Kittitas County Misdemeanant Probation
Looking Ahead
With Washington state nearing operational implementation of its 1115 waiver, the jail is actively engaged in preparing for this new initiative. Medical staff are consistently participating in webinars, trainings, and research to ensure the delivery of the most current and effective programming. The jail is now offering extended-release buprenorphine as an alternative dosing option and is working directly with the state to introduce technology that will streamline Medicaid reactivation and application at release.
Through these efforts, Kittitas County is setting a new standard for rural reentry, demonstrating how cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based treatment, and community engagement can transform lives and build safer, healthier communities while mitigating liability and managing risk for those incarcerated.
Project Director
Lieutenant Edward Buntin, Jail Administrator
Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office
edward.buntin@co.kittitas.wa.us
509-962-7527
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.