The Wisconsin Deflection Initiative, which includes roughly 11 counties across the state, aims to intervene before people with mental health or addiction issues become entangled in the criminal justice system. Eau Claire County launched its program in 2024 using an opioid abatement grant from law enforcement, bringing together the sheriff's office, public health, human services, and criminal justice services.

"Deflection, in its truest form, is really to try to be a preventative program that we can intervene when people are having difficulties in their lives before a major kind of event happens," said Brianna Marsden, recovery and justice service manager for the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services.

The program is voluntary and open to county residents 18 and older who complete an assessment, agree to case management, and have no warrants or pending felony charges. It prioritizes connecting people facing substance use or mental health challenges with care and resources, particularly in low-level, non-violent situations.

About 30 people are currently enrolled, and 50 to 60 have been served since the program began, Marsden said. Referrals often come from law enforcement, but people can also apply themselves or be referred by community members. The county has promoted the program through informational videos at Kwik Trip gas pumps, ads on city buses, and social media.

"It's low-barrier, free services for individuals," Marsden said. "You don't have to have Medicaid. You don't have to have insurance. We're not charging you for anything. It's really trying to be in that space to help people when they're ready for help."

After an online application, applicants receive a call within 72 hours. An intake meeting follows, where participants sign an informed consent form and are connected to peer support specialists — mentors who have often faced similar struggles and received training to help others.

Eau Claire County Sheriff Dave Riewestahl said the program gives his staff another way to respond. "Yes, that person remains in the community, but we don't just walk away," he said. "We're able to get them linked up with DHS, with a case manager, and start working on that individual's needs." He described peer support as the "secret sauce," noting that mentors often have greater rapport with people than someone with a badge.

Emily Nichols, a certified recovery coach and operations manager for At the Roots LLC, which provides peer support and recovery coaching, said mentors help with practical barriers like transportation, appointments, paperwork, and housing leads. "Because we know those are the barriers that often derail somebody's recovery, and once that recovery is derailed, they're definitely at risk for becoming involved in the legal system," she said.

Nichols said clients have enrolled in technical school, found jobs, and begun attending recovery meetings after six months in the program. "We've extended people's opportunity to survive and exist … you cannot put a price on that," she said.

One participant, a young woman named Mae who struggled with addiction and had recently been released from jail when she learned about deflection, said she was initially skeptical. But meeting with a peer specialist who had similar experiences changed her mind.

"It didn't feel clinical. Out of everything that I've tried, that's like recovery-related oriented stuff, this has helped me the most and I feel the most supported and the most seen and understood," Mae said. She plans to transition to a Medicaid-funded community support program and hopes to become a certified peer specialist herself.

Marsden said the program's approach mirrors how schools identify at-risk students. "We know something is going to likely happen if we don't intervene," she said, "so let's just intervene so that nothing really big or significant happens."