Developing Six Domains of Deflection Program Readiness in Ohio: 2022 to 2025

• In Event: Substance Use Deflection Programs in Ohio: Innovations, Outcomes, and Impact

Abstract

Many pre-arrest deflection and diversion programs have been developed and implemented across the U.S. Few have been subject to multi-year program monitoring and team-readiness exercises. Methods: During 2019-2025 implementation research included Year-1 survey of federally supported pre-arrest substance use deflection programs in Ohio, follow-up development exercises (consultation meetings) and Year-2 scores on a six-domain program readiness and maturity index (PMAT). Data collected (2022 to 2023 and 2025) were analyzed using SPSS and NVIVO version 12. Results: Participating staff/practitioners included law-enforcement officers and healthcare practitioners and public-health/safety program managers. Combining results of PMAT scores and transcribed consultation meetings revealed about half of programs had a county prosecutor complete legal review of their policies and procedures. Many had not yet developed processes for documenting ongoing informed consent and release of information. Ongoing mixed-method research explores lessons-learned from deflection program staff and policing consultants as they have continued to collaborate on six program readiness and maturity domains from 2019 to present. Research has identified multi-level occupational stressors and developed recommendations that may improve total-worker-health across public safety and healthcare subsectors implementing prearrest deflection and diversion programs in Ohio.

Authors

• Aaron T. Vissman, Center for Health and Human Services Research at Talbert House / Department of Health Sciences at Thomas More University

• Fan Xuan Chen, Talbert House

• Rachel Greis, Talbert House

• Kimberly Sperber, Talbert House