In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore how problem-solving courts can support recovery while maintaining accountability. Dean speaks with Zachary Miller, a deputy prosecutor with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, about Veteran's Court, treatment courts, diversion programs, reentry, and the community partnerships that help people move toward stability. Jodi then shares the personal story of Aaron Shaw, an Indiana veteran whose life changed after entering Veteran's Treatment Court. Together, these conversations show how recovery can grow when legal accountability is paired with treatment, peer support, trust, and people who keep showing up. Listen to episode by clicking here. 

This is why you should care that Indiana community corrections agencies across the state are experiencing significant budget cuts. Read Source Article by clicking here.  

It is hard to imagine finding hope in a steel cargo container. But Shirlye Grandy sees life, fellowship and beauty in the metal box that sits on the Dix Park campus in Raleigh.

Grandy served nearly six years in the N.C. Correctional Institution for Women, but now holds the title of public arts project coordinator for Arise Collective, a Raleigh nonprofit dedicated to helping incarcerated women across the state.

Read Source Article by clicking here.

In this episode of Beyond Substance, hosts Dean Babcock and Jodi Miller explore how storytelling can help communities face substance use, recovery, stigma, and the impact addiction has on families, neighborhoods, and systems. Dean speaks with Lisa Dotson-Hall, creator of The Addict’s Wake, about how a documentary project that began in Brown County, Indiana became a tool for education, compassion, and community conversation. Jodi then shares the personal story of John Cunningham, whose recovery, public voice, and work through Recover Out Loud show how one person’s story can help others feel less alone. Together, these conversations show how recovery can move beyond the individual and become a source of connection for an entire community. To Listen to the episode click here.  

The POPAI Executive Board is proposing amendments to the current POPAI By-Laws.

The proposed amendments are contained within Article XI and would revise the counties included in each of POPAI’s eight districts. The purpose of these changes is to create a more equitable distribution of POPAI’s membership among the districts and ensure that each district is represented as fairly as possible.

A copy of the proposed amended By-Laws can be found below along with a map of the proposed new districts.

In accordance with Article XII of the POPAI By-Laws, the Executive Board has approved the proposed amendments for submission to the membership. This notice begins a 30-day comment period during which members may submit questions, comments, or recommendations regarding the proposed changes.

Please submit any comments no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 19, 2026 to secretary@gopopai.org.

Following the conclusion of the comment period, the Executive Board will review the feedback received and may make additional revisions to the proposed amendments. The final proposed amendments will be provided to the membership no later than August 26, 2026, which is at least 15 days before the scheduled vote.

The proposed amendments are expected to be considered at the POPAI Annual Business Meeting:

September 10, 2026
12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
French Lick Resort
French Lick, Indiana

Under the By-Laws, amendments may be approved by a majority vote of the eligible voting members present, provided that a quorum is present at the meeting.

We encourage all members to review the attached proposal and participate in the comment process. The Executive Board appreciates your involvement as we work to ensure that POPAI’s district structure continues to represent our statewide membership effectively.

Proposed By-Laws - September 2026.pdf

The first question our justice system asks when someone commits a crime is simple: Are they under or over the age of 18?

A single birthday determines which of our existing two criminal justice systems a person enters. However, this wasn’t always the case.

Read Source Article by clicking here. 

A mistake doesn’t have to be a life sentence.

That’s the promise of Georgia’s First Offender Act, which is meant to give residents who find themselves facing their first misdemeanor or qualifying felony charge a chance to avoid the stigma that comes with having a criminal record.

Read the Source Article by clicking here. 

As federal officials consider whether to reclassify marijuana under federal drug law, a new study has found that more American teenagers seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder, known as CUD, are facing longer wait times before receiving care. Read full source article by clicking here.  

The Indiana Supreme Court appointed Aaron Hood as the Chief Administrative Officer for its Office of Judicial Administration and Kathryn Dolan as the Deputy CAO. Chief Justice Loretta Rush led a multifaceted national search to fill the positions. Along with her colleagues, she is confident that this leadership team will ensure transparency, innovation, and effective intergovernmental collaboration.

Rush said, “Aaron is a proven leader. My colleagues and I know that his commitment to the courts, financial stewardship, and integrity will maintain our service-oriented culture.” Hood has been interim CAO since January. He brings a decade of Court experience, most recently as Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer. He also has city, county, state, and national leadership experience, including with the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Association of Government Accountants, and the State Judicial Branch Finance and HR Officers. Hood said, “I am focused on strengthening public confidence in the judicial branch and ensuring our operations continue to run smoothly with clarity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.”

The newly named Deputy CAO, Kathryn Dolan, brings 18 years of Court experience, having served as the Chief Public Information Officer. She is a recipient of the National Center for State Courts’ Distinguished Service Award and a past president of its Conference of Court Public Information Officers. “I’m dedicated to maintaining consistent policies, communicating effectively, and helping guide daily operations,” said Dolan.

OJA supports the efficient administration of the statewide court system under the direction of the Chief Justice. The office includes more than 240 lawyers, licensed professionals, administrative staff, and technology experts. It is a vital link to Indiana’s 600 judicial officers and 18,000 attorneys.

Beginning January 1, 2027, certain Healthy Indiana Plan members ages 19–64 will need to complete 80 hours each month through work, part time education, job training, or community service—unless exempt. To help raise awareness of these changes the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has released a comprehensive partner toolkit, available at myfssa.in.gov. 

The partner toolkit includes social and print materials, FAQs, informational videos and more. FSSA is asking that our partners please share these materials through their networks to help inform HIP members of these changes. FSSA’s goal is to help ensure that all partners are equipped with consistent information and language to ensure clear and effective communication across all channels.

The toolkit will be updated with additional resources in the months leading up to January 1, start date. HIP members will begin receiving informational notices about HIP Work Requirements starting in July as well.