LEAD Program begins in Hood River County

Commander Jamie Hepner, LEAD Navigator Nick Smallmon, and Sheriff Matt English are involved in the County’s new deflection program.

A national program known as Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, has launched in Hood River County to help individuals avoid the criminal justice system by providing adequate services. The program targets "frequent utilizers" of the system, those who often commit minor offenses and struggle with addiction, mental health issues, or houselessness. The program aims to ease the burden on law enforcement and reduce repeat incarcerations by promoting community-based alternatives to jail for those whose behaviors stem from unmet needs.

Following the passage of House Bill 4002, which recriminalized drug possession in Oregon on September 1, the state allocated grants of $150,000 to counties to operate deflection programs. Currently, 28 Oregon counties utilize them. Hood River County and Wasco County have formed a consortium for the program.

Interactions between police and people facing houselessness, addiction, and mental health issues are common, with some jailed multiple times in the same year. This revolving door to jail strains police resources, taking them away from working on other crimes.

The LEAD program in this area officially began taking clients on March 1, following several months of planning, staff hiring, training, and educating. LEAD Navigator Nick Smallmon started on December 16, 2024, and the County has an open position for a LEAD Program Analyst.

LEAD offers a pathway to divert individuals to a different way of life instead of charging them with a crime. “Participants are given a choice; they are not forced to participate in LEAD,” said Hood River County Sheriff Matt English. “It gives law enforcement a tool for engaging with those on the street, often on a day-to-day basis, intervening before criminal charges are filed. Officers still have the option to make an arrest instead of offering diversion, because in some cases, a criminal charge works better to hold individuals accountable.”

“We currently have three people enrolled in LEAD, with eight more pending referrals,” said Sheriff’s Office Commander Jamie Hepner. “We anticipate managing a full program of 20 participants with current resources.” She added that success is defined as receiving one call per month about an individual, rather than 15.

According to Hood River County District Attorney Matt Ellis, adding arrests and convictions to a person’s record doesn’t necessarily change their behavior regarding nuisance-related crimes or probation violations for this population. In fact, it could have the opposite effect when it comes to community safety.

The Hood River County and Wasco County Sheriff’s Offices work with the LEAD Support Bureau in Seattle, WA. LEAD has been successful in other parts of the country, significantly reducing criminal filings, jail time, and realizing considerable cost savings.

“It has become widely accepted that we can’t rely on arrests to solve issues related to substance use, mental illness, or extreme poverty,” says LEAD Navigator Nick Smallmon. “However, we must not overlook or minimize the crimes and harms that arise from these challenges. The LEAD model promotes community-based alternatives to jail when behaviors may stem from unmet needs. LEAD is here to help those who want a new path,” says LEAD Navigator Nick Smallmon.

The success of a LEAD initiative relies on strong, diverse partnerships. Through a shared commitment to improving systems and lives, the LEAD model seeks to build a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for communities. Commander Hepner encourages businesses to use the LEAD program as a resource. For more information, contact her at JHepner@hoodriversheriff.com.