Drug Court compliance officerLEWIS COUNTY DRUG COURT
& Family Recovery Court Programs
345 WEST MAIN, 2No FLOOR CHEHALIS WA 98532
PHONE (360) 740-2731 FAX (360) 740-2739
Breaking the Chains of Addiction
February 20, 2025
Lewis County Board of County Commissioners
351 NW North Street
Chehalis, WA 98532
SENT VIA EMAIL
Re: Justification for Reallocation of Funding for Drug Court Compliance Officer
Dear Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, and Commissioner Swope,
a 0
J. ANDREW TOYNBEE, Drug Court judge
JOELY YEAGER, Family Recovery Court Judge
STEPHANIE MILLER, Drug Court Manager
ANGELA COTHERN, FRC GAL/ Case Coordinator
EMILY LA CASSE, Community Outreach Worker
Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards suggest that Drug Court day to day operations be managed by a multidisciplinary
team. This team participates in pre -court staff meetings and status hearings and each team member contributes their observations
and recommendations, within their respective area of expertise. The team composition is made up of the judge, program
manager, prosecutor, defense counsel, treatment representative, community supervision, and law enforcement.
Since inception, the Lewis County Drug Court has followed this standard —combining the community supervision and law
enforcement officer into one role. This position is the Drug Court Compliance Officer and has been filled and operated out of
the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.
In August of 2023, the Sheriff s Office met with Drug Court to inform us of staffing shortages. We were notified that the
Compliance Officer position would be "temporarily" put back into the corrections deputy rotation within the jail. Shortly after
this meeting, we were notified that Deputy Chris Rubin would be available as needed. Over the last year and a half, the Drug
Court program understood that decision and has been respectful of the limited resources available.
Last month, Drug Court was notified by the Sheriff s Office that they were no longer able to provide the program with any kind
of community supervision assistance. It is our understanding that this is due to operational necessities. Further, the Sheriff, s
Office has indicated that they will not be using their current funds to replace this position. It is in the best interest of the program
to explore options to fulfill the community supervision/ law enforcement position.
With the Sheriffs Office's apparent decision to withdraw support via the position it has traditionally filled, we request that the
funds currently allocated to the Lewis County Sheriffs Office, from the 1/I0' of one percent sales tax and for the Drug Court
Compliance Officer position, be reallocated to the Drug Court program in order to facilitate partnering and collaborating with a
willing law enforcement agency or agencies. Lewis County Drug Court strives to adhere to best practice standards and we are
committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for our participants.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you,
Stepha"liller
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Drug Court Manager