April Jackson, Thrive Allen County’s addiction prevention and recovery resources director, asked county commissioners Tuesday to consider helping fund the SEK Recovery Resources Coalition’s recovery house in Iola and continue transportation services tied to those efforts. Jackson’s funding request was $19,248 for six months.
The SEK Recovery Resources Coalition was formed in 2017 and serves Allen, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
Initially created through a federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant, the recovery house has operated without dedicated grant funding since September 2024. The facility opened in March 2022 and provides housing for up to five men at a time. The program is abstinence-based, peer-led and monitored by staff while offering recovery support and structured living.
Through partnerships with the 31st Judicial District’s recovery court program, the coalition helps provide transportation, peer support and access to treatment services.
“We provide transportation if they need to go to or be picked up from treatment, and can be a resource for them as well as any community member,” Jackson said.
Since its creation, the program has served 57 residents. Jackson said the average stay during 2025 was just under four months, with the house operating at a cost of about $13 per resident per day. Residents typically pay an average of $8.40 daily toward rent, with the remaining cost subsidized through donations and fundraising.
Jackson explained many residents arrive unemployed and need time to reestablish stability before contributing financially. “It takes a little bit of time to secure employment and we don’t take their first check from them,” she said. “Especially if they’ve not been employed for a while.”
IN ADDITION to housing and support services, residents are required to complete community service. Jackson said residents have averaged 360 volunteer hours annually, equating to more than $11,000 in service value to the community.
“Right now we’re running at a 50% retention rate, meaning half of our residents for this last year who have come from out of county to stay at the house, are staying in Allen County,” Jackson said.
Jackson’s $19,248 funding request includes $12,990 to fund a part-time staff position and $6,200 to continue transportation services for residents and recovery court clients. She said the funding need is immediate.
“It is needed by the end of February because I do not have any funding to pay the part-time employee beyond the end of this month,” Jackson said, adding that transportation cuts would also significantly reduce services.
The money is there
County Clerk Shannon Patterson said the county’s opioid settlement fund currently sits at $59,000. Monies from this fund are used to support substance abuse recovery services in the county. Additionally, the county’s special alcohol fund could be tapped. Its current balance is $88,000.
Commission Chair David Lee, however, raised concerns about long-term funding and potential reliance on the opioid settlement funds. He questioned whether surrounding counties could help fund the program, noting that residents from multiple areas benefit from the services.
“My sense is, we don’t want you to fail,” said Lee. “But at the same time, I think that we need to be reaching out to some of these other counties. Because, in three asks, at $19,000, our funds will be gone.”
Commissioners Jerry Daniels and John Brocker agreed.
