On January 23, 2025, the Ohio Deflection Association presented the Outstanding QRT, Outreach and Engagement Initiatives: Large Sized Community Award to Summit County. The County of Summit ADM Board accepted the award on behalf of its community partners, including behavioral health and public health agencies and local first responder agencies that encompass these teams. Quick Response Teams (QRT) visit individuals who have experienced a drug overdose with the goals of providing resources and helping individuals enter into treatment.

The QRT deflection model was first developed in 2014 in Colerain Township to create a more person-centered approach to rising overdoses in the community. Summit County launched its first QRTs in 2017, and partners included the ADM Board; first responders from Hudson, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Tallmadge, Akron, Barberton, Coventry, Munroe Falls and Green; and representatives from Summit County Public Health, Oriana House and Community Health Center. There are an estimated 71 QRT team across 64 counties in Ohio.

As of January 2025, Summit County has had over 4,200 individuals referred to QRT, and approximately 20% of those individuals received a treatment service as a result of the visit. Since Summit County’s QRT started in 2017, 55% of the individuals who were referred to QRT sought treatment.

Aimee Wade, County of Summit ADM Board’s Executive Director said, “We appreciate the recognition of the true collaboration in our community that continues to outreach and show compassion, care and a pathway to treatment for the impacted by substance use disorders. It truly takes a community.”