Explanation
Background: In 2004, the Columbus City Auditor was authorized to establish the City Attorney Mediation Fund. The fund was entirely funded from amounts returned from Capital University upon relinquishing its administrative responsibilities for a contract (ord. 617-97) between them and the City Attorney’s Office, funded by City Attorney General Fund dollars, for mediation services within the Night Prosecutor Program. The purpose of the fund was to pay contract expenses of mediators in the Night Prosecutor Program (ord. 0539-2004). The Night Prosecutor Program has since ceased operations and the Mediation Fund has a balance of $46,209.20.
While the Night Prosecutor Program has since ceased operations, the City Attorney initiated the Misdemeanor Diversion program in 2019. Through this program, individuals summoned to court for non-violent, victimless crimes are eligible for diversion. If individuals opt to participate, they work with prosecutors, defense counsel and Health Impact Ohio Community Health Workers to develop diversion case plans tailored to their individual needs. Health workers use a validated social determinants of health screen to determine challenge areas and develop diversion conditions. These conditions are designed to address the issues motivating criminal behavior and prevent future involvement with the justice system i.e. issues related to basic needs (lack of housing or food), physical health, mental health, substance use, lack of employment and/or child care. Plans are signed by the participant, attorney/Public Defender and City Prosecutor. Once plans are signed by all parties, Community Health Workers work alongside diversion participants to help them achieve required conditions. If participants successfully achieve diversion conditions within six months, the case is dismissed. If participants are unsuccessful, a plea is entered and the case moves forward as normal.
Health Impact Ohio Community Health Workers use the nationally...
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