Office of Criminal Justice Services announces grants to combat drug problem in Ohio communities
The Office of Criminal Justice Services has announced nearly $5.5 million in grant funding has been awarded to support efforts to reduce the impact of opioids, stimulants and other substances on individuals and communities and to promote substance use awareness, prevention and recovery.
Funding from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) will provide resources supporting the development, expansion, or enhancement of substance use deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs in diverse Ohio communities that are disproportionately challenged by high fatal and nonfatal overdose rates.
Agencies receiving grants to help fight the impact of drugs in their communities include:
The Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs will receive $838,866.10 in COSSUP funds to expand the operation of the Stop Addiction For Everyone Resource (SAFER) Station through a partnership with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office HOPE Task force. Funding will support SAFER/HOPE’s ability to provide community outreach to individuals after release from the Franklin County Jail system who are on medication-assisted treatment. Funding will also support SAFER/HOPE’s ability to connect these individuals to treatment services.
The MetroHealth System in Cuyahoga County will receive $440,229 in COSSUP funds to support quick response team (QRT) efforts in the MetroHealth main campus emergency department, where over half of the county’s overdose EMS calls are brought. Funding will also be used to support and expand the efforts of Project DAWN to improve services and access to services among underserved communities.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office will receive $205,062.41 in COSSUP funds to support the DART (Drug and Rehabilitation Treatment) Program. This multi-phased diversion program focuses on early intervention with first-time, low-level offenders committing substance use crimes. Participants work with a diversion coordinator to develop a case plan that includes check-ins, random urine screens, mental health and substance use treatment, housing and employment assistance, and other ongoing support.
Portage County will receive $369,609.28 in COSSUP funds to support the expansion of an Overdose Response Team to address the escalating overdose and substance use problems, and improve public safety, public health, and overall community well-being. They will hire QRT investigators to engage in numerous planned activities, including participation in community awareness and education events, active outreach to those with known substance use/overdose history, and post-overdose response and referrals.
Here is the complete list of recipients for this round of COSSUP grant funding:
• Amberley Village, Hamilton County – $376,443.60
• Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, Lawrence County – $418,316.96
• Franklin County Office of Justice Policy & Programs, Franklin County – $838,866.10
• Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain County – $449,615.20
• Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County – $369,609.28
• Ross County Sheriff’s Office, Ross County – $128,072.10
• Medina County Drug Task Force, Medina County – $241,975.72
• Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, Defiance County – $117,821.11
• Middletown Division of Police, Butler County – $115,776.64
• Cordata Healthcare Innovations, Inc., Hamilton County – $355,715.22
• Talbert House, Hamilton County – $792,744.70
• The MetroHealth System, Cuyahoga County – $440,229.00
• Northeast Ohio Medical University, Portage County – $587,996.44
• Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, Muskingum County - $205,062.41.
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