From left, Watertown, Connecticut Police Deputy Chief Renee Dominguez; McCall Behavioral Health Network Director of Community Engagement Lauren Pristo, who serves as Statewide Project Manager for Connecticut’s Community and Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery (CLEAR) program; McCall Behavioral Health Network President & CEO Maria Coutant Skinner; Cordata’s Operation 2 Save Lives and QRT National Senior Community Engagement Specialist Scott Allen; and Watertown, Connecticut Police Chief Joshua Bernegger recently presented at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2024 Conference in Boston. (Photo courtesy Cordata’s O2SL & QRT National)
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Cordata’s Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National recently presented alongside Connecticut CLEAR initiative partners at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2024 Conference in Boston.
The presentation, titled “Leading the Way: Transforming Community Wellness through Collaborative Partnerships,” was delivered on Oct. 21 by:
- Scott Allen, Senior Community Engagement Specialist of Cordata’s O2SL & QRT National.
- Joshua Bernegger, Chief of Watertown, Connecticut Police.
- Renee Dominguez, Deputy Chief of Watertown, Connecticut Police.
- Maria Coutant Skinner, President & CEO of McCall Behavioral Health Network.
- Lauren Pristo, Director of Community Engagement at McCall Behavioral Health Network and Statewide Project Manager for Connecticut’s CLEAR program.
The presentation focused on innovative, collaborative strategies to address crises affecting communities, particularly addiction and mental health. Panelists introduced a deflection model that redirects individuals away from the criminal justice system and toward support services for addiction and mental health, addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
The session included a panel discussion — facilitated by Allen of Cordata’s O2SL & QRT National — and audience Q&A, offering attendees actionable insights for developing community partnerships using CLEAR’s nationally recognized practices.
About CLEAR and Its Impact
Cordata’s O2SL & QRT National have collaborated with Connecticut’s CLEAR initiative since its inception in 2021, providing training and mentoring across the state. CLEAR, sponsored through the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), while managed by McCall Behavioral Health Network and Liberations Program, Inc., works with law enforcement and public health organizations to:
- Conduct rapid follow-ups with individuals at high risk for overdose.
- Provide service navigation and ongoing support.
- Deliver harm reduction services and training.
- Support families in developing recovery plans.
Recently, CLEAR secured federal funding for statewide expansion over the next three years. The Department of Justice awarded a second $7 million grant to support the existing seven cities and towns, including Watertown, Winchester, Torrington, Bridgeport, Greenwich, Norwalk, and Stamford, to strengthen their responses to the opioid crisis and other social health issues, while expanding to other municipalities across the state.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Connecticut’s CLEAR initiative,” said Allen of Cordata’s O2SL & QRT National. “This initiative is making a real difference in the lives of residents. We hope attendees gained valuable insights to bring back to their communities.”
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Cordata’s O2SL & QRT National Senior Community Engagement Specialist Scott Allen, right, leads a panel discussion with, from left, Watertown, Connecticut Police Deputy Chief Renee Dominguez; McCall Behavioral Health Network Director of Community Engagement Lauren Pristo, who serves as Statewide Project Manager for Connecticut’s CLEAR program; McCall Behavioral Health Network President & CEO Maria Coutant Skinner; and Watertown, Connecticut Police Chief Joshua Bernegger at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2024 Conference in Boston. (Photo courtesy Cordata’s O2SL & QRT National)
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