County law enforcement and partners described the deflection program and peer‑mentor training that aim to divert people with substance abuse or behavioral‑health needs from the criminal justice system into treatment and services.

Sheriff Ty Rupert and staff said training has produced a cohort of peer mentors and that the county recently held a graduation for about 10 people; officials reported more than 30 graduates overall and 26 program graduates cited in one exchange. The program initially focused on certain unclassified property or low‑level charges and has been modeled after Marion County's program, but staff said they are looking to expand eligibility to more offense types where appropriate.

Sheriff's staff said the grant funding requested and awarded covers a program manager (identified as Neil Marchington in discussion), partial pretrial support and partner contracts with local service providers such as BestCare and others; small amounts of grant money can be used for short‑term housing placements or treatment slots when needed.

Officials emphasized active outreach: officers, firefighters and first responders are being trained to identify potential candidates for deflection and provide contact information for the program at scenes where overdose reversal kits are distributed. The program also coordinates with pretrial release processes to reduce jail populations by offering treatment alternatives.

Speakers asked county leaders to sustain funding and partners to continue support; no new county appropriation was made at the meeting.