O2SL and QRT National are excited to announce that our partners in Kentucky’s state capital, Frankfort, became the sixth location in the state to launch The Situation Table, standing up just before the New Year. In this short time, they have done an incredible job collaborating with local community agencies to support their city, assisting with over 14 situations to reduce acutely elevated risks among vulnerable populations. To learn more about the great work Frankfort, Kentucky, is doing to improve outcomes for at risk groups before a crisis occurs, please visit Tuesdays at the Table – Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation (wjrfoundation.org).
Author: Prima Golda
Paducah PD Recruiting for Groundbreaking Deflection Specialist Position
In Kentucky, the Paducah Police Department (PD) is breaking new ground in the effort to combat the opioid epidemic impacting the nation. They are currently seeking a compassionate, social sciences professional to fill a novel role as Deflection Specialist. This person would work alongside law enforcement to field referrals and connect people suffering mental health and substance use challenges with services and resources in the community. It is anticipated that this approach to policing will provide a lifeline for people struggling by interceding before arrest or incarceration. It also has the potential to reduce calls for service, decrease city-wide incarceration rates, improve community perception of law enforcement, and bridge the gap between law enforcement and vital resources to help those in need. The department is hoping to fill this position by the end of March.
Turning Point Recovery QRT Joins Forces with Local Hospital
Recovery options for those suffering from substance use have opened up for residence of Paducah County, Kentucky, thanks to a newly forged partnership between Turning Point Recovery Quick Response Team (QRT) and Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital. This new partnership allows Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital to connect consenting patients with Turning Point Recovery QRT in the 24-48 hours following an overdose. Reaching victims in this critical window has the potential to save lives and restore families so the positive impacts are profound. O2SL & QRT National would like to applaud this collaboration in the fight against Substance Use Disorder. Local Recovery Advocates form a Partnership in Efforts to Fight Substance Abuse in Region
Deflection Academy Training Has Immediate Impact in Clifton, NJ
O2SL and QRT National was spotlighted in Clifton Merchant Magazine for the delivery of the Deflection Academy Training provided to members of the Clifton Health Department, Clifton Community Policing, and Passaic County Department of Human Services on July 25th and 26th at the local recreation center. The 2-Day training has been designed to inform and educate public safety, outreach team members, partners, and leaders on the field of Deflection and pre-arrest diversion. It offers attendees an overview of nationally recognized Deflection pathways while focusing on engaging public safety in collaboration with their public health and community-based team members. These Deflection models are operating within communities all across the United States and now in Clifton, New Jersey. The attendees noted the valuable knowledge gained from the training, but the roleplay exercises were particularly powerful and left them feeling better equipped to handle situations on outreach calls. Only two weeks after receiving
Congratulations to the Panhandle Situation Table for Receiving the Promising Practice Award
O2SL and QRT National would like to congratulate the Nebraska-based Panhandle Situation Table for receiving the distinguished Promising Practice Award, an annual recognition for demonstrated approaches and strategies of local public health programs that have set these programs on track to become Model Practices, as presented by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The Panhandle Situation Table is comprised of multiple agencies such as Law Enforcement, First Responders, Mental Health Professionals, Social Services, Schools, Hospitals, and Community Support Services that collaborate to rapidly triage Acutely Elevated Risk situations to connect individuals and families to much needed support, reaching those who may be at highest levels of composite risk in the community or often fall through the cracks in the system. The Panhandle Situation Table program will be added to NACCHO’s Model Practice online database, which is accessible to other public health officials looking for best practices
City of Menomonie Police Department’s Project Hope, a Juvenile Deflection Program, Recently Spotlighted by Bureau of Justice Assistance
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Office of Justice Programs of the U.S. Department of Justice, recently spotlighted one of its Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) Projects, the City of Menomonie Police Department (MPD) and their youth initiative Project Hope, which is a juvenile deflection program developed by the MPD in March 2020. Managed by former Menomonie Police Chief Eric Atkinson, this program employs a Juvenile Review Team (JRT), which meets biweekly, to identify eligible youth in need of diversion or deflection measures. Once selected and depending on need, the JRT will connect youth to early intervention resources at their disposal, which include mentoring, counseling/therapy, food resources, shelter assistance, case management, and academic tutoring. Project Hope also offers deflection opportunities to youth participating in criminal behavior/activities. While participation is voluntary, youth would be required to complete the program’s evidence-based online education initiative, which
O2SL & QRT National Partner with The Global Network for Community Safety to Bring the Situation Table Model to the U.S.
O2SL and QRT National is pleased to announce its partnership with The Global Network for Community Safety to bring their combined expertise to bear to provide states, counties, and communities comprehensive, collaborative solutions to address issues such as substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD) impacting the U.S. Together these two firms assist local communities in mobilizing a multi-agency community response to help vulnerable populations at acutely elevated risk by intervening to connect them to a tailored suite of comprehensive services within 24-48 hours, thereby reducing their overall risk. These collaborative solutions are presented in the form of the Situation Table or HUB model (from out of Canada) with representatives from multiple human services sectors. This model also serves to help communities identify service gaps and areas in need of reform. Since 2010, this model has been implemented in over 100 communities across the U.S. and Canada.