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 Attends 2023 National Rx & Illicit Drug Summit in Atlanta
The leadership team of Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National is pleased to share that they recently represented the organization as a vendor at the 2023 National Rx & Illicit Drug Summit in Atlanta.
O2SL & QRT National’s Mike Botieri Talks with Tony LeGreca on ‘Courage to Hope’ Podcast
Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National Vice President of Business Development Mike Botieri recently joined the “Courage to Hope” podcast with Tony LeGreca on WMEX 1050 AM.
O2SL & QRT National Partners with West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice to Integrate ‘Handle With Care’ Model in Trainings
The leadership team of Operation 2 Save Lives & QRT National is pleased to announce a new partnership with the West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice to expand the reach of the Center’s Handle With Care (HWC) initiative.
O2SL & QRT National Delivers Pathway Deflection Training to Agencies and Community Partners in Stamford, Connecticut
STAMFORD, Conn. – Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National recently delivered pathway deflection training to public safety, overdose response team members, partners and leaders from the Connecticut Community and Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery (CLEAR) initiative. The Deflection Academy training was coordinated by O2SL & QRT National, in partnership with Cordata, and took place from Feb. 8-9 at the Stamford Police Department. Primary instructors included Scott Allen of O2SL & QRT National and Maureen Cavanagh, educator and certified peer recovery specialist instructor. The two-day training offered new CLEAR team members, partners, and attendees from Fairfield County and Litchfield County an overview of nationally recognized deflection pathways. CLEAR is a deflection effort aiming to increase connections to care for people with substance use disorder (SUD) and to create a cohesive, collaborative response to addiction among community partners and law enforcement. CLEAR is a statewide initiative currently being piloted in six jurisdictions
O2SL & QRT National Attends Ohio Deflection Association’s Annual Summit in Cincinnati
The leadership team of Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National is pleased to share that several of its team members and partners shared their expertise and experiences at the second annual Ohio Quick Response Team, Deflection, & Outreach Training Summit in Cincinnati last month, with more than 340 people attending from nine states and the District of Columbia.
A Statement from the Leadership Team of Operation to Save Lives & QRT National on the Death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis
“Our thoughts go to the family and loved ones of Tyre Nichols, who was unjustly killed by five former Memphis Police officers. The actions of those officers were reprehensible and resulted in a needless loss of life.
Courtesy Press Release: Governor DeWine Approves $4 Million Grant for Diversion Program Training, Technical Assistance at NEOMED
Via the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced a $4 million grant for Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) 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.
PAARI Partners with Operation 2 Save Lives, QRT National to Host Deflection and De-Escalation Training Course
“Deflection and de-escalation tactics are crucial within law enforcement, but also among public and behavioral health professions,” said Dr. Xavier Gonzales, Nueces County Hospital District. “The Nueces County Hospital District is pleased to fund this important training as a part of the Hospital District’s mental health program support,” said Dr. Jonny Hipp Administrator/CEO of the District. The course was co-instructed by Scott Allen, retired Chief of Police from Massachusetts and currently Chief Operating Officer of O2SL & QRT National, Kevin Rosario, Director of Community Outreach at Gosnold Behavioral Health in Massachusetts and Brittney Garrett, PAARI’s Director of Public Safety Training & Outreach. The agenda included overviews on deflection pathways, substance use disorder, stigma and harm reduction. Attendees also learned about situational awareness and de-escalation strategies for law enforcement, and why these tactics are important when working with drug exposed children with adverse childhood experiences. The day closed with a scenario-based
O2SL & QRT National Team and Partners Take Part in PAARI’s National Law Enforcement Summit
BOSTON – The leadership team of Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National is pleased to share that several of its team members and partners shared their expertise and experiences as part of panels and breakout sessions during the 2022 National Law Enforcement Summit, hosted by the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI).