The Ohio Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence (CJ/CCoE) was established in May 2001 to promote jail diversion alternatives for people with mental illness throughout Ohio. The Center is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health to the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board. The ADM Board contracts with the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine to operate the Center.
Believing that it is not a crime to have a mental illness, the CJ/CCoE hopes to reverse the trend in what has become known as "criminalization of the mentally ill." This complex problem requires complex solutions. The CJ/CCoE promotes the Sequential Intercept Model, to assist communities in systematically approaching efforts to divert people with mental disorders from unnecessary arrest and incarceration.
The CJ/CCoE welcomes opportunities to partner with communities throughout Ohio to develop programs at any level of intercept. We believe the essential ingredient for any successful jail diversion program is partnership across systems. All key players in all aspects of the mental health, addiction, and criminal justice communities need to talk regularly and forge a commitment to work together. We are eager to help make this happen throughout Ohio.
