COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a $4 million grant for Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Wednesday to "provide training and technical assistance for communities developing or implementing deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs to help those with substance use disorder get the help and treatment they need."
Northeast Ohio communities that have experienced high levels of violent crime will be supported in this initiative. A new addition to NEOMED's Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence will be established to conduct research on enhancing the effectiveness of "deflection and diversion" programs. The new addition will be called "Substance Use Deflection Center of Excellence."
“The technical assistance resulting from this project will be an invaluable resource to Quick Response Teams (QRTs) around the state,” said Governor DeWine. “Ultimately, we hope that by expanding access to resources, more Ohioans will get the help and treatment they need.”
The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is administering the grant for the new initiative through Ohio’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
According to the release, the OCJS they define their role as follows:
OCJS is a didvision of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities.
NEOMED will be partnering with RecoveryOhio, the University of Cincinnati, QRT National/Operation to Save Lives, Ohio QRT Association, and Cordata Healthcare Innovations in this new initiative.