The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center is a first-of-its kind facility in Ohio, working with law enforcement to help individuals who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of a mental illness and/or addiction. These individuals receive the help, care and linkage to community resources they need in a treatment environment rather than going to the County jail. The Diversion Center has also expanded eligibility beyond law enforcement referrals to include calls from friends, family members and individuals in need of and wanting care for a mental illness and/or substance use disorder. 

The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center is a 25-bed facility (which can occasionally admit higher), with staff onsite 24/7. Services can include assessment, medical evaluation, case management, counseling, medications, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), withdrawal management (detox), NAMI educational groups, referral and linkage to other community services. Treatment costs can be covered by insurance including Medicaid or through the local ADAMHS Board. Treatment services are certified through the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).

Click here to view a flyer with general information about the Diversion Center.

The Diversion Center ensures those who need treatment receive it. The Center works with law enforcement and the justice system to redirect individuals better off in the care and environment of community health professionals where they can best receive treatment. It works with individuals to help people from further escalating into a psychiatric situation and hospitalization, while reducing the burden on our jails. 

Jails are not the best place for individuals to receive treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. For someone struggling with a substance use disorder or mental illness, jail increases isolation and can cause an increased risk for more severe illness and even suicidal ideation. A study by County-hired consultants reviewed inmates booked into the jail between May and November 2019 and found one-third had serious mental illness or substance use issues. These identified inmates also stayed in the jail an average of 77 percent longer than other inmates.

The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center is the first-of-its-kind in Ohio to work in partnership with law enforcement to allow individuals to receive the help, care and resources they need in a medical environment rather than within the County jail. It is one more tool available to law enforcement in Cuyahoga County to help people who are living with a mental illness or substance use disorder.

Approximately 2 million times each year, people who have serious mental illnesses are admitted to jails across the nation. Almost three-quarters of these adults also have drug and alcohol use problems, according to the Stepping Up Initiative, a national effort and local partnership to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails (stepuptogether.org).

The Diversion Center will be operated by Oriana House and located at 1804 East 55th St. in Cleveland. 

The facility opened May 3, 2021.

The Diversion Center accepts calls from law enforcement, public safety personnel, and friends, family members or individuals who are seeking assistance for a mental health or substance use issue.

For example, a law enforcement officer may encounter an individual who is showing signs of mental illness or substance use disorder. The officer is then able to call the Help Line at 216-623-6888 to get support for interacting with an individual and assist in determining if they would be a good fit for the Diversion Center.

Also, friends, family members and individuals in need of and wanting care for a mental illness and/or substance use disorder can call the 24/7 Help Line at 216-623-6888 to determine if the Diversion Center or another treatment option is best for an individual. Click here to view: Guide for Friends, Family, and Individuals - Using the Cuyahoga County Diversion Center

Click here to view a postcard with information.

The Diversion Center is unable to accept walk-ins. The Center also does not provide pick-up or drop-off transportation. 

Admission requires a call to the 24/7 Help Line operated by FrontLine Service at 216-623-6888. A call to 216-623-6888 does not guarantee placement at the Diversion Center; however the specialists at FrontLine work with to the caller to find the right care.

The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center is a voluntary option. A person must choose to engage in care.

The Diversion Center provides one more pathway to treatment for someone experiencing a behavioral health need.

There are 50 beds available.

Specific services can include Diagnostic Assessment, Medical Evaluation, Case Management, Individual  Counseling, Group Counseling, Medications, Medication Assistance Treatment (MAT), Withdrawal Management ( Detox), Referral and Linkage.

Observation: Provides a safe environment during initial assessment at the Diversion Center. Individuals are monitored for withdrawal and/or other symptoms by medical staff. Individuals are referred to appropriate level of care.

Detox: Evaluation, stabilization, and preparation for entry into substance abuse treatment and medical support from a nurse or physician. Individual and group counseling with a licensed treatment counselor. Continued assessments and medication management.

Wraparound Services: Includes full dining, recreation services, TV rooms, calming rooms and more.

Linkage/Relinkage: Upon discharge, individuals are linked or relinked to appropriate treatment and recovery supports in the community.

The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center’s primary partners are:

Cuyahoga County Government: Funds the project.

Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board: Cuyahoga County awarded the ADAMHS Board $9.2 million to manage the two-year pilot project and assist with the planning and oversight of the Diversion Center facility and its operation.

Oriana House: Operates and staffs the facility.

FrontLine Service: Operates the 24-hour Help Line for assessment calls or prearrest calls made by law enforcement officers, as well as inquiries from family members, friends and individuals: 216-623-6888.

Law enforcement officers and districts: Utilize the facility to divert people engaging in low-level offenses from jail, or to refer others who may need treatment or support for a behavioral health concern; participate in training and professional development opportunities such as expanded Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.

The project is launching as a two-year pilot beginning in 2021, at the facility at 1804 East 55th Street. Cuyahoga County is planning a facility with expanded capabilities for launch after the first phase.

 See the Solving Behavioral Health Crisis Through Diversion booklet.

ENCOUNTER individual with a mental health or substance use issue, who is non-violent and interested in voluntary behavioral health treatment.

CALL the 24-Hour Help Line: 216-623-6888 (don't hang up when you get a recording).

• Answer questions from FrontLine staff about the situation and the individual.
• Call taker will complete a screening.
• If eligible, FrontLine will notify the Diversion Center. Not eligible - other options will be provided.

TRANSPORT individual to the Diversion Center (1804 East 55th Street in Cleveland) and complete a short intake process.

Yes. Materials are available at the links below. For hardcopies of the printable materials, contact Clare Rosser via email rosser@adamhscc.org.

Cuyahoga County Diversion Center: Guide for Law Enforcement

Law enforcement card

Flyer with general information

Watch this video:

Yes, a call to the 24/7 Help Line at 216-623-6888 is required.

The Help Line for is the same number that law enforcement officers use now to connect a person experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder to care, or to get advice about a behavioral health situation: 216-623-6888. This is the 24/7 mental health and addiction resource, referral and crisis hotline operated by FrontLine Service. This option is available to you now, but will also be your first step in accessing the Cuyahoga County Diversion Center. The Help Line is available to all law enforcement officers within the county who interact with an individual showing signs of mental health and/or substance misuse issues. It is also available to individuals and their family members or friends, to seek assistance with a mental health or substance use concern.

Call 216-623-6888. After a brief recorded message (don’t hang up!), you will be connected to the next available mental health professional who will ask you to provide:

• Your name, badge number (if applicable) and your community/district
• The name and date of birth of the individual in question
• A brief description of why you were called to the scene
• A brief description of your observations/understanding of what is going on with the individual

Once the Help Line mental health professional has gathered the necessary information, they will advise you to take one of the following actions:

• Transport to the Diversion Center (1804 East 55th St.)
• Transport to the Crisis Stabilization Unit (8315 Detroit Ave.)
• Transport to St. Vincent’s Psychiatric Emergency Department (2351 East 22nd St.)
• Transport to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department

• Other options as appropriate

This diversion center model is designed to allow quick access for law enforcement, to transfer a person in need to a therapeutic environment as soon as possible. The goal is that once an officer arrives, their process of dropping off a client will take close to 10 minutes. The process will require an officer to walk the individual into the facility, handoff to staff, and sign in and out.

See the “law enforcement initial contact” portion of the Diversion Center’s flow chart.

Yes. 

When it opened on May 3, 2021, the Center only accepted referrals from Cuyahoga County law enforcement, for individuals living with mental illness or addiction who were involved in a low-level, non-violent offense that put them at risk for arrest.

As November 1, 2021, family, friends or individuals seeking assistance with mental illness or substance use issues may call 216-623-6888 to connect with the Cuyahoga County Diversion Center. The Center is expanding eligibility beyond law enforcement referrals to include calls from friends, family members and individuals in need of and wanting care for a behavioral health concern.  

Yes, it is 24/7. Officers can use it any time of day, night, weekend or weekday.

Multiple people. The facility is staffed and ready to respond to law enforcement partners as they arrive. Calling the Help Line at 216-623-6888 in advance as required will help with processing.

The Diversion Center always reserves beds for police referrals even when it may need to close to the community. Although it is rare for the Center’s beds to
be full, community referrals will contact the Helpline at Frontline 216-623-6888 for assistance.

The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center staff is capable of deescalating a challenging situation and engaging an individual in onsite services, and/or connecting them or reconnecting them to services to in their community. However, just like for any health or medical care, a person can refuse treatment.

It is important to remember that law enforcement officers never lose their discretion in how to handle interactions with individuals who might meet the criteria for entering the Cuyahoga County Diversion Center. Law enforcement does not lose their ability to charge someone if they have engaged in an offense, whether or not that person has utilized the diversion center or other mental health interventions in the past.

The operators of the facility can provide general guidance on their protocols for clients who leave early, who are later determined to need a higher level of care at a different facility, or who experience multiple diversions, but as in all cases, the law enforcement officer retains discretion on how to best serve members of their community.

People experiencing mental illnesses and substance use disorders may be in recovery for a time, relapse or experience a challenge that increases their likelihood of interacting with an officer. It is possible that someone may be connected to the Cuyahoga County Diversion Center more than once.

The staff at the Diversion Center is ready to help as often as necessary within their abilities and resources. They can provide guidance on their protocols for these situations.

No. The Cuyahoga County Diversion Center is a voluntary option.

For other situations, officers should continue to use their existing crisis response resources.

In all cases, officers can call the 24/7 Help Line at 216-623-6888 to determine a good option.

Residents who are physically aggressive, in restraints, or requires handcuffs to manage are not candidates for the Cuyahoga County Diversion Center. 

As part of the Diversion Center project, the ADAMHS Board is expanding training for law enforcement officers and dispatch personnel in Cuyahoga County. The ADAMHS Board has been providing free Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training to law enforcement for the past twenty years. CIT training teaches officers best practices in de-escalation and crisis response. It also provides real-life scenario training to assist officers with recognizing and assisting individuals displaying signs of a mental health and/or substance use disorder. As part of the expanded CIT training program, law enforcement is provided education about the Diversion Center operations and how to access other crisis services in Cuyahoga County.

To learn more about these opportunities, contact Carole Ballard, ADAMHS Board Director of Education and Training, at ballard@adamhscc.org.

To arrange a walkthrough of the site for your district, contact: mikerandle@orianahouse.org or 330-535-8116.