This paper is an overview of six pathways of deflection and pre-arrest diversion and describes how programs in each pathway typically work.
This paper discusses six frameworks, or pathways, of deflection and pre-arrest diversion, each of which uses a different approach to address specific public health and safety challenges faced by communities. These six approaches are referred to as pathways because, in contrast to justice system interventions that mandate that individuals attend treatment, first responders (law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services [EMS]) and community response teams are able instead to offer access, or pathways, to community-based treatment, services, and resources to support individuals in need. The paper is an overview of these six pathways of deflection and pre-arrest diversion and describes how programs in each pathway typically work.