February 28, 2023
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
RE: Prosecutor’s Office chosen to participate in the First Responder Deflection Program
Colleen O’Toole and The Ashtabula County Prosecutor’s Office was recently chosen to participate in a mentee program initiative for communities who wish to explore a First Responder Deflection Program. This program offered through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, will educate and assist the county on how to expand the current mobile response team and possibly start a community- based response program. This program will educate Prosecutors, the public and law enforcement in helping to identify those citizens who are in crisis, enabling them to be deflected from detention through systemic coordination of resources.
The First Responder Deflection mentor sites will provide mentorship ina hybrid capacity, with virtual and in- person visits with their mentees. During site visits, mentors will provide opportunities for observation and peer-to-peer exchanges, including opportunities to observe the first responder deflection program in action and allow mentee sites to engage with program personnel.
