CIT International

Welcome to CIT International

CIT...More than just training

CIT International is now accepting applications for an appointment to the

Board of Directors!!

Deadline: Midnight EST, November 17, 2018

Directors of the Board are appointed for a 3-year term with a possible re-appointment of an additional 3-years. The Board is a working board of directors. A commitment of time to attend monthly calls and serve on various committees is required. An understanding of and an interest to promote the best practices of CIT and the philosophies of CIT International are required.

In accordance with ARTICLE V, Section 12, Application and Appointment, of the CIT International Bylaws, and in an effort to maintain a Board balance as represented in the Bylaws, the CIT International Board of Directors will not be accepting applications from members representing law enforcement for this 2018 Board of Directors Application cycle.

To apply, please complete the online application at:

www.surveymonkey.com/r/CIT-International-Board-of-Directors-Application

Mark Your Calendar!

2019 CIT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Seattle, WA

August 26-28, 2019

Click HERE for rates and hotel

CIT International is offering ...

In Partnership with the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions and California CIT Association

Certified CIT Coordinator Course

Special Training and Certification Opportunity

First time offered in California...and open to those outside of California as well!

For more detail and how to register: CLICK HERE

NOW AVAILABLE!!! The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the release of a guide to support communities in evaluating their CIT programs. CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM (CIT) Methods for Using Data to Inform Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide is available for download from the SAMHSA Store. CIT International played a key role in the development of this publication. We are grateful to SAMHSA and our project partners at GAINS Center/Policy Research Associates, Inc and the National Council Behavioral Health for making the guide possible and supporting communities in their CIT program efforts.

Pictured (L to R) are Thomas Von Hemert (President), Don Kamin (1^st Vice President), Ron Bruno (2^nd Vice President), Amy Watson (Treasurer), and Pat Strode (Secretary).

CIT INTERNATIONAL GOES GLOBAL! Members of CIT International’s Executive Committee recently attended the Fourth International Conference (https://leph2018toronto.com/) of the Global Law Enforcement & Public Health Association (GLEPHA) in Toronto. Their presentation, “The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Model: What We Have Learned After 30 Years,” was well received. Ron Bruno and Amy Watson also participated in a two-day pre-conference Law Enforcement and Mental Health Consultation during which representatives from law enforcement, mental health, advocacy and academia from seven countries met to develop best practice guidelines for police response to mental health related incidents.

The CIT International team learned and shared a great deal with our international peers and made some excellent connections. We are looking forward to expanding our international footprint and plan to participate in the 2019 GLEPHA conference in Edinburgh, Scotland in October 2019.

SAM'S CORNER

by Major (ret.) Sam Cochran

CIT: "The More"

Enhancing Training

CIT International has produced 3 Position Papers that address many

issues facing communities pertaining to CIT Training

CIT: A Generalist/Specialist Model

CIT: Not in Pre-service Academy

CIT: Non-Law Enforcement participants in CIT Training

A Tribute to Dr. Fred Frese

CIT International is saddened by the loss of one of its prominent board members…Dr. Fred Frese

The CIT International Board joins the world in mourning the death of Fred Frese, Ph.D. A friend and colleague, Dr. Frese served on our Board of Directors starting 2011. Among his many advocacy efforts was the promotion of CIT programs, which he did with his well-known engaging and poignant style that combined humor and intellect. We plan to spend some time at our Conference in August remembering and honoring Fred’s contribution to our shared mission.

In the meantime, please see these thoughtful tributes:

NAMI Mourns Fred Frese

A Tribute by Author Pete Earley

Fred Frese: A Great Man by the Treatment Advocacy Center

Police Mental Health Collaborations – Moving Beyond CIT

In April of 2018, the St. Paul Police Department implemented a Mental Health Unit. This workshop looks at the work that was involved in establishing this police mental health collaboration. Attendees will discuss the history of mental illness in America, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and the future of collaborative efforts. A presentation of the SPPD program will be delivered along with material that may help agencies develop their own personalized program.

December 5^th, 2018, 0800-1200 hours.

Rowan Training Facility

600 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN.

For questions, contact Sergeant J. Sipes at 651-444-0700 or at jamie.sipes@ci.stpaul.mn.us or Sergeant S. Zauhar at 651-266-5554 or at sean.zauhar@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Here is the link for registration:

http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=tfomp7lab&oeidk=a07efs66hob2f04f740

CIT International joins partners on Serving Safely:

The National Initiative to Enhance Policing for Persons with Mental Illnesses and Developmental Disabilities (click here for press release)

Vera Institute of Justice, in cooperation with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), is launching Serving Safely: The National Initiative to Enhance Policing for Persons with Mental Illnesses and Developmental Disabilities a new initiative designed to improve collaborative responses for people with mental illnesses and intellectual and developmental disabilities who come into contact with the police to improve outcomes and the safety for all involved parties. Partners on the initiative include: CIT International; the American College of Emergency Physicians; The Arc; National Alliance on Mental Illness; National Disability Rights Network; Prosecutors’ Center for Excellence; Dr. Amy Watson, University of Illinois, Chicago and Dr. Michael Compton.

Agencies can find additional information and request technical assistance from the initiative by filling out the request form on the Serving Safely Initiative website.

A Message from your CIT International Board of Directors

An important message from CIT International regarding use of appropriate language when we refer to people affected by mental illness

Language awareness when we speak and write about individuals with mental illnesses is profoundly important. We should not tolerate use of mental illness labels and insults that dehumanize people. Research indicates that how we refer to people affects how we treat people. Read More...