(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – A statewide advisory board met today to review Ohio’s funding plan to apply for and distribute about $7.6 million in federal money for crisis intervention court programs and behavioral health initiatives that focus on gun violence reduction.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 authorized funding for each state through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP). The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is administering Ohio’s funds.
“Courts, behavioral health agencies, and other entities operate successful crisis intervention programs across the state,” said Nicole Dehner, OCJS executive director. “This funding will advance their work and enhance the services they provide.”
Possible areas of funding reviewed by the advisory board include specialized court programs that accept clients with mental health diagnoses or who are veterans, assertive community treatment, behavioral threat assessment programs/training, behavioral health response services, triage services, mobile crisis units, peer support specialists, and law enforcement specific training and technology.
Recipients of funding may include behavioral health agencies, courts, emergency communications, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, public defenders, and supervision agencies.
The advisory board will help OCJS identify projects throughout Ohio that meet the objectives of the federal funding. OCJS must seek approval from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance on the eligibility of entities seeking this funding.
OCJS is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities.