CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County court administration asked county commissioners to partially fund the Good Wolf Treatment Court program for 2027 at Wednesday’s public budget hearing.
Court Administrator Rebekah Reigner told commissioners the program relies on short-term grants that are highly competitive and unpredictable. The current grant funds the program only through the end of next September.
Reigner stated that the estimated total program budget for the year is approximately $172,214, covering operations, personnel, travel and recovery services. She requested county funding of around $45,000-$50,000 to establish a stable financial source for the final quarter of 2027.
The Good Wolf Treatment Court was developed in 2017 to help address the opioid crisis in Franklin County and provide support services to keep individuals out of the system. Since then, the program has seen 48 individuals graduate to become active members of the community.
Reigner shared a quote from Daniel King, a 2025 graduate of the program:
“Today I am sober, accountable, engaged with my family, successful in business and committed to helping others who face the same struggles that I once faced. That transformation is a direct result of the opportunity, guidance, structure, and support provided by Good Wolf Treatment Court.”
Reigner also noted that the program has saved the county $5.7 million in jail bed-day costs, which are the daily costs of housing an inmate in jail, totaling around 43,699 days saved.
“Good Wolf Treatment Court is saving lives, reducing jail costs and strengthening the community as a whole,” Reigner said, “and we respectfully request that you consider the funding for quarter four of 2027.”
Commissioner Robert Ziobrowski asked about possible conflicts with funding the program and applying for grants. “…grants sometimes are contingent upon need; would funding it preclude some opportunity to get grants?”
County Administrator and Chief Clerk Carrie Gray explained that the timing might impact the program’s eligibility to apply for a grant covering next year’s costs. If the commissioners approve the fourth-quarter funding right away, the program would not qualify to apply for those grants.
Ziobrowski suggested adding this to the contingency budget to avoid funding sources that could disqualify the program from grant applications. Gray agreed that this strategy could help preserve the program’s grant eligibility. The final decision will be made at a later time.
