Lafayette & Monroe Counties Receive Funding for OWI & Mental Health Programming
 

Madison, WI – Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) announced that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) recently awarded grants for Treatment and Diversion (TAD) programs in Lafayette County and Monroe County.
 
Lafayette County is awarded $118,000 to create an Operating While Impaired (OWI) court.  Monroe County is awarded $57,000 to hire a Mental Health provider for the county’s drug court program as well as their TAD-funded OWI treatment court program.
 
“The legislature’s budget provided $2 million for TAD programs. As a member of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee (JFC) I was proud to increase this funding to $14.4 million over the 2019-21 biennium,” Marklein said. “I am also proud that these funds have been awarded to Lafayette and Monroe counties to help our citizens.”
 
“TAD programs offer alternatives to prosecution and incarceration,” Marklein said. “These programs have had tremendous impacts throughout the state, but especially in rural communities. The additional funding and resources for Lafayette and Monroe counties will further expand the impact of specialized counseling and treatment for our citizens. More of our neighbors will receive the help and support they need to improve their choices and remain contributing members of our communities.”

Marklein represents the 17th Senate District, which includes all or parts Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Monroe, Richland, Sauk and Vernon counties. Marklein serves on the legislature’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee and is Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Revenue & Financial Institutions.