On the eve of the first Ohio Quick Response Team Conference in 2021, four leaders in Ohio’s deflection movement—Dan Meloy (retired Township Administrator), Scott Duff (Fairfield County Post Overdose Response Team – PORT), Dennis Lowe (Major Crimes Task Force Commander), and Tom Fallon (Commander of the Hamilton County Heroin Task Force and Quick Response Team)—gathered for dinner.
The conversation centered on the innovation emerging across Ohio to address the opioid crisis. Communities were redefining public safety by bringing help directly to individuals in crisis, treating underlying substance use and mental health conditions, and witnessing measurable reductions in crime and justice system involvement. It became clear that Ohio’s approach represented a groundbreaking shift: meeting people where they are, addressing root causes, and prioritizing care over arrest.
That evening, the idea for a statewide organization was born—one dedicated to supporting and advancing these grassroots efforts. The Ohio Deflection Association was created to strengthen communities across the state by promoting deflection and pre-arrest diversion strategies, developing practical support tools, and educating community partners engaged in frontline outreach.
In 2022, the Association was formally created and recognized by the State of Ohio. In early 2025, it received its 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service, solidifying its role as a statewide leader in advancing deflection and collaborative public safety strategies.