Fairfield County, OH
Fairfield County
Massachusetts
Urban & Suburban | Population: 165,360Fairfield County, Ohio, a suburban community of approximately 165,360 residents, has emerged as a leader in addressing substance use and criminal justice involvement through its groundbreaking initiative, Project FORT (Fairfield Outreach, Response, and Treatment). Originally launched as a law enforcement-led deflection program, Project FORT was designed to divert individuals with low-level drug offenses away from the justice system and into treatment and recovery services. With funding from a 2022 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) grant, Project FORT has expanded its scope to include jail-based reentry services, discharge planning, sustained follow-up care, and broader community outreach efforts.
Project FORT operates as a Quick Response Team, a multidisciplinary unit consisting of a Major Crimes Unit detective and a peer recovery coach. The program assists individuals at varying stages of recovery. Whether incarcerated and seeking treatment for the first time or living in the community and relapsing after years of sobriety, FORT ensures access to appropriate recovery options through local resources and external partnerships.
375
individuals connected with treatment options
Overcoming Barriers Through Collaboration
“I’m a career law enforcement officer… but there was a lot to learn and a lot of trust that had to be built.”
—Scott Duff, project fort director
In its early stages, Project FORT faced significant challenges in building trust with both community members and service providers.
The team adopted a proactive approach by spending substantial time in the field connecting participants with resources. “Fairfield County doesn’t have all the services that we need, so we had to build relationships outside of the county,” said Duff.
This commitment to collaboration and building trust within the community has been instrumental in overcoming resource limitations and fostering trust within the community.
Key Elements
Quick Response Team (QRT)
Outreach after overdose incidents to connect individuals with treatment services.
Jail-Based Reentry Services
Discharge planning and follow-up care for incarcerated individuals transitioning back into society.
Peer Support
Full-time peer support specialists provide compassionate engagement during jail visits and facilitate monthly support groups for first responders addressing mental health challenges.
Transportation Assistance
Bus vouchers enable participants to access essential services such as employment opportunities and treatment facilities.
Collaborative Leadership
Monthly stakeholder meetings align efforts among medics, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and service providers.
Statewide Advocacy
Leadership in forming the Ohio Deflection Association strengthens deflection strategies across Ohio.
Partnerships Enhancing Impact
82
Ohio Deflection association teams formed statewide
Collaboration remains central to Project FORT’s success. Monthly stakeholder meetings unite medics, firefighters, community providers, and other partners to improve service delivery across sectors. Key partnerships include Creed of Recovery—a men’s recovery program providing housing alongside treatment—and Connections West—a community center deeply involved in reentry initiatives.
Looking Ahead: A Model for Change
As Project FORT evolves, it continues to redefine how communities address substance use disorders through innovative deflection strategies and reentry support systems. By fostering collaboration among law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, peer supporters, and community stakeholders, it is creating pathways for recovery that extend beyond traditional criminal justice responses.
“We’ve learned that our work is in the field, not behind a desk. Building trust is key to making real change.”
—Scott Duff, project fort director
Through its unwavering dedication to reducing stigma, expanding access to care, and strengthening statewide networks like the Ohio Deflection Association, Project FORT is not only transforming lives but also setting an inspiring example for other communities facing similar challenges.
2,200
bus vouchers distributed through partnerships
Collaborative Partners
Fairfield County
Fairfield County Sheriff's Office, Project FORT
Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Fairfield County (ADAMH)
Connexion West
Creed of Recovery
University of Cincinnati (evaluator)
Project Director
Scott Duff, Director of Project FORT
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office
scott.duff@fairfieldcountyohio.gov
This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.