Evaluation of Twelve Deflection Programs in Ohio

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

Abstract

Confronted with an ongoing opioid crisis, the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) sought to expand community-based overdose response and outreach “deflection” services through a Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-based Program (COSSUP) grant. With a chief goal of reducing fatal and nonfatal overdoses, these funds supported the development or enhancement of twelve first responder-led programs throughout the state. This presentation reports the evaluation findings over a three-year period and includes metrics of team activities (i.e., number of referrals, contacts/contact channels, timing of intervention, distribution of harm reduction materials) and client outcomes. Additionally, we discuss the challenges for evaluating these heterogeneously-implemented programs and provide recommendations for future evaluation and research on deflection more generally.

Authors

• Brandon Nicholas Bledsoe, University of Cincinnati

• Sarah Light, University of Cincinnati

• Bradley O'Guinn, University of Cincinnati

• Sarah M. Manchak, University of Cincinnati

• Cory P. Haberman, University of Cincinnati