Russell N Arters

The meeting included updates on the new jail project, expected to be operational in February 2026, and the jail's Behavioral Health Team, focusing on the continuum of care for incarcerated individuals and increased staffing for counseling and re-entry services. Discussions also covered the SIM Strategic Plan process, including the adult mobile crisis unit, 988 usage, and five key priorities: crisis stabilization, homelessness/housing, transportation, specialized services/docket (Mental Health Court), and pre-trial services. The Common Pleas probation department plans to add staff for pre-trial services, utilizing the ORAZ assessment, and Common Pleas court will implement a mental health court. Re-entry and prevention strategies were discussed, emphasizing youth involvement and interaction between different groups, with a project to identify shared goals among organizations.

The meeting included discussions on the expanded felony reentry program, reentry services provided by Victoria Furin, and the Opioid Remediation Grant. Challenges faced by officers due to increased mental health and reentry staff, along with logistic issues from construction, were addressed. Updates were provided on the new jail project, objectives for training, communication, and coordination, and the upcoming SIM event. The board also discussed data collection and evaluation, community engagement, and the success of prevention efforts, including the potential for a juvenile reentry program.

The meeting included discussions on several goals. The Wayne County Jail is involved in a pilot program through the MHRB and OMAS, partnering with Viola Startzman to provide on-site stabilization to inmates facing mental health crises. Stats showed a significant decrease in calls from the jail to the counseling centers crisis team since the program's start in January. The new jail project is on schedule for a projected move-in date of December 2025, which will provide more beds for inmates with severe mental health issues. There was also discussion around OPOTA approved training, getting more involved with juveniles, engaging local churches in the re-entry process, and a SIM to evaluate current practices and identify gaps for future focus.

The Wayne County Comprehensive Plan focuses on managing growth while balancing agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial needs to maintain a high quality of life. It aims to promote and protect the county's heritage, culture, and natural resources, support a strong and diverse local economy, improve transportation infrastructure, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. The plan prioritizes efficient land use, cooperation among local government units, farmland conservation, and the protection of rural character. It also addresses the need for updated zoning regulations, county-level funding, and strategies to mitigate adverse development effects.

The meeting included discussions on updating the Wayne County Community Corrections Planning Board Rule for providing notice of meetings and meeting minutes. The board also heard organization and member roundtable reports from OHuddle, Wooster City, Counseling Center, Common Pleas Court, Public Defender, and others. Topics included service coordination in schools, high utilizers of the jail, mobile response stabilization services, re-entry programs, and the opening of bids for a stabilization and treatment center. The board discussed challenges related to persistent mental illness, court-ordered competency evaluations, and the coordination of services for justice-related individuals. Updates were provided on the new jail construction project and the provision of multi-functional tablets for inmates. Transit as a component of services needed for justice-related individuals was also discussed.