Crisis Intervention Team CIT CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM A

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM: A Frontline Response to Working with People with Mental Illness Presented by: Michele Saunders, LCSW Chair, Florida CIT Coalition

AGENDA n Law enforcement and corrections as stakeholders in the mental health system n What is Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)? n Why do CIT: The benefits of CIT

The Problem n 1955, 560, 000 in State Psychiatric Facilities n Today, less than 60, 000 in State Facilities n Today, more than 1. 9 million people with a mental illness are in our jails and prisons

The Problem n In Florida, law enforcement officers respond to more Involuntary commitment calls than they did for burglaries and DUI’s (2003) n Inadequate funding of the community mental health and substance abuse system n De-institutionalization from State Psychiatric Hospitals = Re-institutionalization to Jails and Prisons

Today’s News Headlines n n n n Cop prevents suicide days after crisis intervention training Tanisha Anderson's family wants better mental-health training for police Portland Police Set New Standard For Dealing With Mentally Ill Mental Illness cases swamp criminal justice system: The cost of not caring Crisis Intervention Team saves lives on mental health 911 calls Inside a Mental Hospital called Jail Tucson PD unit says mentally ill need help, not handcuffs

CIT n What is CIT? n Effective Crisis Response for “First Responders” n Developed by Memphis Police Dept. ; Originated as Patrol Based; Pre-booking Diversion; OFFICER SAFETY n Specialized training for handling mental health crises and to prevent crises

CIT: The Core Elements n Partnerships among law enforcement, corrections, mental health providers and advocacy groups n Policies and Procedures outlining roles and responsibilities and implementation process n Selection of deputies – volunteer deputies, all vs. select n 40 Hour training for deputies; training for dispatch

KNOWLEDGE EXPERIENCING, SENSITIZING, BUILDING EMPATHY EXPERIENTAL, PRACTICAL APPLICATION Understanding Mental Hearing Voices exercise De-escalation Illnesses Field visits Scenario based – Role Medications Meeting with consumers Assessing for Suicide Family perspective Plays and Suicide Prevention Communication skills Substance Abuse/Cooccurring Developmental Disabilities Baker Act Marchman Act Feedback

Core Elements of CIT n Identification of a CIT Coordinator n User Friendly Mental Health Emergency Services (internal and external) n Program Evaluation through data collection and reporting n On-going, in-service training n Recognition of CIT officers – CIT Pin, annual recognition, certificates, etc.

The Team of CIT Operational Team n CIT officer n Mental Health Front Line n Consumer n Family Leadership Team n Command Staff n Mental Health Administrators n Advocacy Organizations (NAMI)

The CIT Deputy n Compassion n Excellent listening skills n Empathy n Resourcefulness n Patience n Willingness to learn more n Experience (practical application)

Implementation For Law Enforcement n n n Train approximately 25% of force (approx 2 per shift/per sector) Rural areas may have more Deputies are generalist/specialists CIT Deputy in Charge of scene Dispatch is trained on CIT Working relationship with the local mental health hospital

Implementation For Corrections n Staffing for high risk areas and general pop. n CIT trained officer are in charge of situation n Shift change reporting, frequent exchange of information throughout shifts

Implementation for Corrections n Team meetings, briefings, rounds n CIT trained officers available to help in other areas n CIT trained staff (officers, mental health and medical staff) will provide support and education to inmates

Benefits of CIT n Trained deputies for an immediate response n Reduced injury – deputy, inmate, consumer n Better connection for person with mental illness to connect to mental health services n Increased staff confidence/pride; morale; retention n Reduced liability (reduced use of force)

Benefits of CIT n Decrease use of unnecessary use of force n Cost avoidance for the institution n Enhanced communication among systems n Positive Perception of Program n Strong partnerships for sustainability – internal and external

CIT In Florida • Forty (45) Sheriff’s Offices • Approximately 150 Police Dept. • Several Corrections Dept. • Over 20, 000 Deputies and Officers trained • Approved by FDLE as an advanced, post-academy training through its Specialized Goals and Objectives Handbook • Note: CIT is in over 40 states and in 3 countries

CIT is About… n n n n Leadership Determination and Persistence Investment and Ownership Knowledge of Model Commitment to Model Partnerships Safety

CIT is More Than Just Training Identity Specialized Role Ownership of the program Improved Systems of Care Team

SPECIAL NEEDS DESERVE SPECIAL CARE CIT

Contact Information Michele Saunders, LCSW msaunders 416@comcast. nt 407/925 -2462