MENOMONIE, WIS. – Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National recently delivered pathway deflection training to community stakeholders, partners and leaders in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
The training was coordinated by O2SL & QRT National, in partnership with Cordata, and took place from Sept. 7-8 at the Dunn County Government Center in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Instructors included Daniel Meloy of O2SL & QRT National, Lt. Jeremiah Nicastro of the Gloucester, Massachusetts Police Department, and Fire/EMS Capt. (Ret.) Dave Von Bargen.
The training focused on informing and educating attendees on the emerging field of deflection and pre-arrest diversion. Local Wisconsin partners who attended the training included local treatment center Arbor Place, the Dunn County Health Department, the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, Menomonie Fire and EMS, and the Menomonie Police Department.
Menomonie, Wisconsin received a 2021 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) grant to enhance its deflection and pre-arrest diversion efforts and is working on adding self-referral (Angel model) and collaborative outreach (QRT model) to its delivery of services. Attendees learned about six nationally accepted deflection pathways while focusing on the Angel and the QRT deflection and pre-arrest diversion models, which are operating in communities across the country.
Trainees learned about the origins of various pathways, discussed current deflection work, reviewed the role of first responders and overall team operations, and explored the Cordata community response technology platform.
Once implemented, the pathways help community and public safety partners respond to, engage with and assist persons who have experienced overdoses and are “at-risk” or vulnerable persons experiencing addiction. The training also addressed other community needs, such as mental health, drug endangered children, the impacts of trauma and trauma-informed responses, family support initiatives, community collaboration and more.
“We were pleased to bring the Pathway Deflection Academy training to public safety, health and community partners in Menomonie, Wisconsin,” said Daniel Meloy, O2SL & QRT National Director of Operations. “The training introduces several pathways that can be implemented in the community, and attendees are able to hear from trainers who have worked with these pathways in their own departments.”
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