Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday night authorized the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to apply for a federal grant to help bolster the sheriff’s jail re-entry program aimed at combating recidivism.

The sheriff’s office will apply for federal funding through the Second Chance Act, which would allow the county to add two full-time positions and cover other costs.

The county’s jail re-entry program works with inmates who leave custody to fill gaps like their ability to find housing or jobs. Its main purpose is to reduce recidivism, delaying the need for more jail space.

The federal grant would offer $206,250 in the first year, with a local match of $68,750. The county’s matching funds would come from reserve funds saved in the sheriff’s budget.

Sheriff Ken McGovern said the grant would bolster the re-entry program by providing monitoring and oversight to follow up with former inmates as they return to the community.