Overview of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Mary Lynne Reynolds Executive Director Mental Health Association in Southwestern New Jersey

How Camden Co. NJ discovered CIT “What the person is doing is not really criminal, but we have to criminalize it to get them help.” Chief Tom Garrity, Collingswood P.D. Dec. 2005

Mental Health consumer murdered in mental health unit of Camden Co Corrections Facility Inmate being held on $200 bail for violating restraining order by estranged wife was murdered by cell mate Community outcry over death results in creation of county task force charged with developing strategies to address challenges of responding to public disturbances caused by the behaviors of people with serious mental illness

NJ Human Service Commissioner conducts study for Camden County 13 recommendations including CIT Memphis Jail Diversion Model

Goals of CIT Reduce injury to officers and mental health consumers Divert mental health consumers to mental health treatment rather than being charged with crime that will lead to inappropriate sentencing to overcrowded jails and prisons

Camden Co. Researches Memphis Model Group traveled to CIT International Conference Invites Sam Cochran & Rand Dupree to meet with stakeholders in Camden County Sends delegation to Memphis for orientation Sends delegation to Memphis for 40 hr training

CIT Leadership group formed Director of screening, Chief of Collingswood PD Mental Health Administrator Warden of Camden Co. Corrections NAMI –Camden Co. President DMHAS regional and state staff Camden Co. Director of Human Services Mental Health Association in SWNJ

Ongoing Elements of CIT Development of partnership and ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and mental health system Community ownership: planning, implementation, networking Policies and Procedures

Operational elements of CIT Selection of CIT officers Provide CIT training for officers, screeners & dispatchers Develop process for screening to accept consumers from law enforcement

Sustaining elements Evaluation and research In-service training Recognition and honors

What does CIT model offer? Provides foundation necessary to promote community & statewide solutions to assist individuals with mental illness CIT Model is reducing stigma and the need for further involvement with the criminal justice system. CIT is providing a forum for effective problem solving regarding the interaction between the criminal justice and mental health system and creates the context for change.

What is the NJ CIT Center of Excellence? NJ Division of Mental Health & Addictions and NJ Office of Attorney General has had contract with Mental Health Association in Southwestern NJ since 2010 to provide technical assistance to develop CIT programs in counties throughout the state

NJ CIT Center of Excellence offers Assistance and support in development of steering committee Functions as facilitator to counties striving to implement CIT program Presentation of Orientation to CIT in host county Opportunity to send representatives and potential trainers to 40 hour training offered in other counties

NJ CIT Center of Excellence offers Provides assistance and support of facilitation of the 40 hour CIT Certification Training curriculum Provides assistance and support in the facilitation of initial 40 hour CIT certification county based training and provides ongoing technical assistance Facilitates quarterly statewide meetings for leadership of county steering committees