Ohio Deflection Association

News & announcements

Deflection news

• Resource guide

  Deflection Data Collection and Definitions Guide

  A new statewide guide, developed with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence's Substance Use Deflection Initiative, gives Ohio deflection teams one shared set of definitions for collecting data and measuring outcomes.

  Read more about the Definitions Guide

  The Ohio Deflection Association, in partnership with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence's Substance Use Deflection Initiative, is proud to announce the Deflection Data Collection and Definitions GuidePDF. The guide helps diverse deflection teams across Ohio operate under the same standardized definitions, ensuring accurate statewide data collection and strengthening the measurement of outcomes.

  “Aligning terminology across diverse teams strengthens our collective ability to measure impact and ensure Ohio's deflection efforts continue to grow in clarity, consistency, and effectiveness.”
  — Ashley Morgan, Director, Substance Use Deflection Initiative

  “This marks the first step in a meaningful partnership with the Substance Use Deflection Initiative. Together, we will formalize best practices and drive innovation in the emerging field of deflection across Ohio, always keeping the best interests of the citizens we serve at the forefront.”
  — Tom Fallon, Executive Director, Ohio Deflection Association

  Special thanks to our workgroup: Jaime Urmsom, Meagan Guthrie, Sarah Coyne, Jessica Jennings, Jennifer Whitman, and Nicole Jenkins.

• Survey

  Voices from the Field survey

  The Ohio Deflection Association wants to hear from you — your feedback shapes the training, speakers, and resources at the 2027 Ohio Deflection Association Summit.

  Read more about the survey

  The survey takes just a few minutes and covers the topics, presenters, and practical resources that would most help your team in the year ahead. Responses are reviewed by the Summit planning workgroup.

  Take the Voices from the Field survey

• In the news

  First-of-its-kind panel reopens overdose death cold cases

  When a person dies of a drug overdose, their loved ones are left with painful questions — and sometimes no answers. A Hamilton County panel is giving families hope.

  Read more about the cold case panel

  The panel brings together law enforcement, coroners, and public health partners to revisit unsolved overdose deaths, identify sources of supply, and give families answers that were previously out of reach. It is believed to be the first review body of its kind in the country.

  Read the report at local12.com

• Policy

  Governor DeWine authorizes emergency rule on overdose-prevention tools

  Executive Order 2025-04D suspends normal rulemaking so the Ohio Board of Pharmacy can expand access to drug-checking and overdose-prevention tools statewide.

  Read more about the emergency rule

  Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2025-04D to suspend the normal rulemaking process, allowing the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to adopt a rule expanding access to overdose-prevention tools. In addition to test strips and reagent kits for fentanyl, rule OAC 4729-8-02 exempts tests for the following compounds from Ohio's definition of drug paraphernalia:

  • Xylazine
  • Medetomidine
  • Benzimidazole-opioids (commonly referred to as nitazenes)
  • Benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-related compounds

• Funding

  SOS 4.0 NOFO is open in Ohio

  Ohio's Department of Behavioral Health is accepting applications to deliver prevention, overdose reversal, treatment, and recovery support across the care continuum.

  Read more about the SOS 4.0 funding opportunity

  Selected applicants will provide evidence-based practices across the care continuum — prevention, opioid overdose reversal medication (OORM), treatment, and recovery support — aimed at opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, and concurrent substance use disorders, aligned with Ohio's SOS 4.0 goals and intended outcomes.

  Planned investment areas

  1. Treatment: FDA-approved MOUD in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), low-barrier settings, and criminal justice settings, plus other evidence-based practices.
  2. Community and family resiliency: evidence-based prevention reaching children, youth, young adults, older adults, families, and their communities.
  3. Recovery supports: recovery housing, peer support, and supported employment.

  Eligibility: DBH seeks applications from qualified Ohio ADAMH boards and non-profit and for-profit community organizations meeting the statutory requirements for licensed and/or certified community behavioral health services providers, private psychiatric hospitals, and residential Class 1, 2, and 3 facilities enacted through House Bill 33.

  View the funding opportunity at dbh.ohio.gov