On January 26-27, Zoe Grover-Scicchitano, Executive Director, and Brittney Garrett, Director of Public Safety Training & Outreach, of PAARI attended the 2nd Annual Quick Response Team (QRT) Deflection and Outreach Summit. The conference gathered like-minded stakeholders to discuss successes in prevention programming, treatment and recovery, interdiction, and harm reduction. The 1.5-day conference was held at the Summit Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio.

On the 26th, Brittney participated in a panel discussion titled, “Ask the Experts: Deflection Leadership.” She was asked an array of questions regarding the change of police tactics for those with substance use disorder, advice to departments on evolving ways of thinking, advice for gaining internal buy-in, the effectiveness of current programs, how communities are positively impacted by deflection methods and what the next steps are for PAARI’s approach to this work.

“It was an honor to participate in this conference and to learn more about the great work being done in Ohio and surrounding states,” said Brittney, “The public health, behavioral health, and police/public safety collaborations highlighted at this conference were some of the best in this country.  This was the exact place we needed to be to create further meaningful and lasting connections across the field of deflection and diversion.”

The summit consisted of plenary sessions, keynote addresses, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, and an exhibition hall. The event was facilitated by a collaboration of professionals from local, state, and federal agencies, academics, those who provide treatment, and other like-minded communities impacted by this crisis. 

– Written by: Isabella Nowak