12/08/2025
Summit County tragically faced the nation’s highest per capita su***de rate in 2016. Outdated systems led those struggling with mental health challenges to the ER or jail.
We’re proud to honor the Summit County Sheriff's Office System-Wide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART) with the Lloyd H. Dean Institute for Humankindness and Health Justice Award and $10,000 for their groundbreaking work! This incredible team of law enforcement, clinicians, and case managers is redefining crisis response.
The results are powerful, with 87% of SMART clients being diverted from the emergency room in 2024. This community-built model is about more than just efficiency, it’s about compassionate care built from the community up. We celebrate their dedication and commitment to building a healthier future for the community.