Deflection Training

Deflection Technical Assistance is a collaboration between the OHSU Section of Addiction Medicine and the Oregon Rural Practice Based Research Network with the support of the Criminal Justice Commission.  

Upcoming Events

Deflection Engagement and  Coordination ECHO Program

This program will provide a forum for Deflection program coordinators and other team members to discuss best practices, explore deflection models, and implement deflection programs in Oregon that meet the standards set out in Oregon HB 4002.

Law Enforcement, Addiction and Deflection

These events are a must-attend for law enforcement professionals looking to have more productive interactions with individuals with substance use disorders.

Upcoming Webinars

Webinars on deflection related topics featuring subject matter experts from law enforcement, criminal justice, addiction medicine and behavioral health. Click below for more information:

Technical Assistance (TA) Model

Work with trained coaches and subject matter experts on areas of need in your community. Topics like building new programs, defining deflection eligibility criteria and success, developing a process for warm handoffs between law enforcement and treatment providers, and addiction medicine best practices. Coaching is unique to the community we are working with. To learn more or sign up e-mail Kirsten Aasen at aasen@ohsu.edu

In person training for Law Enforcement. Participants will learn how to have more productive encounters with people with substance use disorders. Join us for an educational session on understanding addiction, impacts of stigma and overview of regional deflection and treatment options. DPSST credits are available. No cost to you or your organization.

Register for a training session here 

Webinars on deflection-related topics by subject matter experts and deflection programs. Webinars are held twice a month.  

Access Recordings here 

Recordings

What is Deflection?

  • Deflection is the practice by which law enforcement, first responders, or community response, connect individuals to behavioral health treatment, social services, and recovery supports when issues of substance use are present. On September 1, 2024 possession of user level quantity of drug again became a misdemeanor level offense.
  • Oregon’s House Bill 4002 (April 1, 2024) encourages law enforcement agencies to refer to new behavioral health deflection programs instead of citing/arresting an individual found in possession of controlled substances. Learn more about the bill here.   
  • Technical Assistance is funded by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) The CJC Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Program supports Oregon counties and federally recognized tribal governments in the creation and operation of their deflection programs. Learn more about the Oregon CJC Deflection Programs here.
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Deflection

“Deflection serves as a community-centered practice by which law enforcement or other first responders make warm handoffs to community-based treatment and/or other services for people who have substance use or mental health disorders. Deflection presents an alternative to arresting people who might otherwise either enter the justice system or receive no assistance to address their needs.” — definition courtesy of the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network.

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DEFLECTION

  • Centered in the community
  • Deflecting away from justice system without having entered it​
  • Does not create an arrest record ​
  • Behavioral health guided with criminal justice partnerships​

DIVERSION

  • Centered in the justice system​
  • Diverting out of justice system after having entered it ​
  • Creates an arrest record
  • Criminal justice guided with behavioral health partnerships

Basics of Deflection

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A Decision Making Tool for Police Leaders:
Methods for deflecting people away from arrest and into services in the community

Critical Elements of Successful First Responder Diversion Programs:
5 pathways of first responder diversion outlined

ECOURSE: A Community Engagement Tool for First Responders:
This three module course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of effective communication strategies for deflection.

ECOURSE: First Responder Deflection Certification Course:
An eCourse from JCOIN that introduces deflection

Resource Library

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