A Cummins Inc. retiree who has led the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress since it was founded in 2017 will continue in his volunteer role for a while longer as the organization transitions to a paid staff.
ASAP director Jeff Jones said a recruiting process to find a full-time paid executive director was scheduled to begin in February. The timing was intended to coincide with the transition of ASAP from a government/health care alliance into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
The extent of work prompted Jones to agree to stay at the helm until June 30th, rather than the April departure originally planned.
ASAP has hired Matthew Neville as communications director and Nathan Walsh as the ASAP manager of the Hub, which is a centralized location planned where people seeking addiction treatment can find help.
It was announced that the Hub, which is expected to open in June or July at the United Way building on 1531 13th St., has received a $50,000 loan from the Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. That money will serve as an operating reserve, as well as provide start-up funds, Neville said.
But ASAP still has plenty of do, including hiring a volunteer services manager and recovery specialist for the hub, Jones said.
With all the work still going on, ASAP has decided not to start their search for a new full-time director until April, Jones said.
“We’re going to work to find the right person,” Jones told the board. “If it’s June 15th (for stepping down), it’s good for me. But if it’s Aug. 15th, that’s good for me as well.”
An advisory committee will be meeting throughout March to formalize the search process, Jones said.
During the summer months, ASAP will bring in Cheryl Boffo, who has been leading the alliance’s treatment division since 2017, to assist with the leadership transition, Jones said.
