When someone calls 911 for a mental health emergency in Summit County, it usually draws more than a law enforcement response.

Since 2019, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office has operated the System-wide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART), a specialized unit pairing a plainclothes deputy with a licensed mental health clinician and a case manager. Together, they respond countywide to behavioral health crises, focusing on de-escalation, stabilization, and connecting people to long-term care rather than defaulting to emergency rooms or jail.

The program’s impact is evident in recent data. According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office 2024 SMART program annual report, SMART responded to 1,396 active calls and completed 1,761 clinical follow-ups in 2024. The report also showed that 87 pe

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