Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion

CHJ developed a webinar that will highlight the experiences, efforts, and needs of first-responder agencies relative to exposure to traumatic stressors specific to the opioid crisis.

CHJ responded to a TA request for information on the various diversion programs as well as the five pathways. CHJ discussed the upcoming COAP/COSSAP conference and diversion sites. The agency requested additional information on the Seattle LEAD program.

Boone County Behavioral Task Force attended a CHJ webinar on First Responder-Led Diversion and Outreach and contacted CHJ to request information on how to start a program with law enforcement and recovery workers collaborating to address substance abuse in the community and also working with other first responders.

This training workshop was delivered at the 2020 COSSAP National Forum on March 11th. In this workshop, panelists illustrated the importance of creating a multi-level community response to children impacted by addiction. Presenters discussed efforts in their jurisdictions to intervene with children at-risk for neglect or abuse due to opioid use in their homes as well as address the needs of these children through trauma-informed care. Participants in this training will recognize the diverse needs of children of addicted parents.

Harvey, Illinois Police Department, requested training and technical assistance for the planning and development of a diversion program that would include diverting sex workers into treatment and services. The city of Harvey, Illinois, has seen an increase in sex trafficking, drug use, and sales.

The Law Enforcement/First Responder Diversion and Referral Mentoring Initiative provides communities interested in starting diversion and referral programs the opportunity to learn from established or innovative programs that have shown success in meeting the treatment needs of individuals with a substance use disorder, and in some cases an overdose. There are seven sites that have been chosen to act as mentors for newer programs that are trying to establish a first responder diversion program.

The Law Enforcement/First Responder Diversion and Referral Mentoring Initiative provides communities interested in starting diversion and/or referral programs the opportunity to learn from established or innovative programs that have shown success in meeting the treatment needs of individuals with a substance use disorder, and in some cases an overdose. There are eight sites that have been chosen to act as mentors for newer programs that are trying to establish a first responder diversion program.

Hamilton County Heroin Coalition is in the developing stage of their program and requested a peer site visit to the LEAD program in Seattle. The goal is to witness the LEAD program in real-time and receive first-hand training on organizing their Operations Work Group by attending Seattle's functioning workgroup. One Program Administrator and Cincinnati Police Officer attended the training.

Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy requested information about diversion programs to assist them with developing a diversion system that both addresses and matches the needs of Story County and the city of Ames Iowa. CHJ provided the agency with MOUs, work plans, and job descriptions.

The city of New Orleans, Louisiana requested assistance in implementation a law enforcement assisted diversion program. The LEAD National Support Bureau was selected to fulfil the request and conducted working group sessions and discussions with New Orleans personnel onsite form July 17-29, 2018.