1. Criminal Incident Response Teams
Disaster Behavioral Health Services
Texas Council of Community
Centers’ Annual Conference
June 2019

2. Mission
The mission of the Criminal Incident Response Teams (CIRT) initiative is to develop a coordinated, statewide model to mitigate the trauma caused by mass casualty criminal incidents by increasing readiness and response capacity, recovery coordination, behavioral health integration, and community resilience.
PARADIGM SHIFT
Victim-centered / Trauma-informed
Continuous and ongoing
Collaborative and integrative

3. RESPONSE READINESS RECOVERY
CIRT Model
RESPONSE
READINESS
RECOVERY

4. Need / Gap Fulfillment
In Texas, mass casualty criminal incidents have occurred at least once a year since 2014.
Sutherland Springs and Santa Fe shootings highlighted the need for an enhanced coordinated statewide response.
The Victims of Crime Act provided funding for five grantees to provide behavioral health services to the Santa Fe community.

5. Dr. Jackie Schuman Assistant Superintendent Santa Fe ISD
Voices from Santa Fe
“It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.”
“Bereavement is different than with a natural disaster”
Dr. Jackie Schuman Assistant Superintendent Santa Fe ISD
Melissa Tucker Gulf Coast Center
CEO
“Lean on the LMHA in this type of event; I knew that our school counselors were not prepared”
“We need the right people with the right skill sets”
“It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”
“Melissa and her staff helped control the chaos of those wanting to help”
Dr. Julie Kaplow
Texas Children’s Hospital
“Many Community based physicians did not feel equipped to handle grief reactions and the post traumatic stress”

6. What We’ve Learned Exercises/drills Relationship with LMHA
Get connected
Standard Operating Guidelines
Know your experts
Community resilience
Relationships are key
Think out of the box and look for the unexpected
Vet everyone
Everyone is impacted
Vicarious trauma treatment for all

7. Role of HHSC
CIRT integration with Incident Command Structure and partners
Guide regional CIRT teams
Technical assistance, training, and professional development of teams
Standard Operating Guidelines
Formal evaluation of CIRT initiative
Needs assessment and reporting following Criminal Incident
Direct service to Incident Command and partners

8. Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers ( CCBHC) – CIRT Regions
Region 1 – Bluebonnet Trails
Region 2 – Burke Center
Region 3 – Emergence Health Network
Region 4 – Montrose Center/Harris Center
Region 5 – Helen Farabee Center
Region 6 – Integral Care
Region 7 – StarCare
Region 8 – MHMR of Tarrant County
Region 9 – Tropical Texas
Region 10 – Gulf Coast Center

9. CCBHCs – Year One Phase I Staffing
Training and education: staff, community partners, and regional LMHAs
Networking and relationship building
Infrastructure development
Anticipatory rehearsal and preparation
Response and recovery

10. CCBHCs – Year Two Phase II Continued training and education
Continued infrastructure building
Continued networking and relationship building
Leading/participating in exercises and drills
Sustainability of CIRT initiative
Documenting best practices and lessons learned
CIRT model program evaluation
Response and recovery

11. CIRT Team Structure/Composition

12. Staff Roles and Responsibilities
Regional Coordinator
Counseling and Training Supervisor
Counselors
Navigator I
Navigator II
Financial Specialist
Administrative Assistant

13. Community Relationships
Established and new
Catalog relationships
Expand understanding of LMHA role

14. CIRT Activation and Deployment
CCBHC Host and Regional Incidents
Incidents occurring in an LMHA catchment area are served by that LMHA; CIRT provides backup and support.
Incidents occurring in host CCBHC region are served by the CCBHC with assistance available from LMHA trained staff in region.
When local services are over capacity, other statewide CIRT teams will be available.

15. Increasing Capacity Training Professional Development
Technical Assistance

16. CIRT and Behavioral Health Integration
Education
Drills and exercises
DBHS advocacy

17. CIRT and Schools Help LMHAs speak the language of schools
Advocate the importance of integrating LMHAs in Emergency Operations Plans
Emphasize collaborative relationships

18. CIRT and Councils of Government
Introductory meetings
Clarify misconceptions
CIRT funds from same funding source

19. Thank You Eugenia (Jennie) Barr, Ph.D. Chance Freeman
Director – Disaster Behavioral
Health Services
Eugenia (Jennie) Barr, Ph.D.
Training/Professional Development Coordinator