Implementing CIT in Lake County by Following These Key Steps
1. Building Strong Partnerships
The Lake County CIT program is built on collaboration among law enforcement, behavioral health agencies, and advocacy organizations. Key actions include:
> Forming a CIT Coordinator committee with representatives from law enforcement, behavioral health agencies, and advocacy groups.
> Including individuals with lived experience and their families to ensure diverse perspectives.
> Engaging additional stakeholders, such as emergency services, hospitals, schools, and community organizations.
- 2. Understanding the Crisis Response System
Lake County is conducting a thorough assessment of its crisis response system to identify strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement. This involves:
> Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) mapping to understand how individuals interact with the criminal justice and behavioral health systems.
> Gathering feedback from front-line staff, individuals with mental illness, and family members.
> Identifying timely, safe alternatives to jail, such as crisis stabilization units or mobile crisis teams.
- 3. Developing Policies and Procedures
We are creating clear policies and procedures to guide law enforcement and behavioral health professionals during crisis events. These include:
> Dispatch protocols to ensure CIT officers respond to mental health-related calls.
> Guidelines for voluntary and involuntary psychiatric evaluations.
> Procedures for collaboration between law enforcement and receiving centers (e.g., hospitals or crisis stabilization units).
- 4. Training Law Enforcement Officers
Lake County is providing specialized CIT training to a select group of volunteer officers. Training includes:
> A 40-hour program covering mental health topics, de-escalation techniques, and community resources.
> Site visits to behavioral health facilities and interactions with individuals living with mental illness.
> Emphasizing officer safety and practical application of skills.
- 5. Promoting Community Awareness
We are actively educating the Lake County community about CIT and available crisis resources. This includes:
> Sharing information about how to request a CIT officer during a crisis.
> Hosting public events to raise awareness about mental health and crisis response.
> Partnering with local media to highlight success stories and program benefits.
- 6. Monitoring and Evaluating the Program
Lake County is using data to track the program’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Key metrics include:
> Number of mental health-related calls.
> Dispositions of calls (e.g., connection to services, arrests, or hospitalizations).
> Feedback from officers, individuals in crisis, and community partners.
- 7. Sustaining and Growing the Program
To ensure long-term success, Lake County is:
> Revisiting goals annually and setting new priorities.
> Providing continuing education for CIT officers.
> Expanding partnerships to include additional stakeholders, such as schools, veterans’ organizations, and corrections facilities.
> Advocating for improved behavioral health services to address systemic gaps.
- 8. Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Lake County is avoiding common challenges by:
> Focusing on the volunteer-specialist model for CIT officers rather than mandating training for all officers.
> Ensuring CIT training is provided to experienced officers, not pre-service recruits.
> Addressing systemic changes in the crisis response system beyond training.
By following these steps, Lake County is implementing CIT effectively, improving safety, reducing trauma, and connecting individuals in crisis to the services they need.
Benefits of CIT
CIT improves community responses to mental health crises by fostering collaboration, enhancing safety, and reducing trauma. Key benefits include:
1. De-escalation and Safety: CIT-trained officers use specialized skills to safely de-escalate crisis situations, reducing the risk of harm to individuals in crisis, officers, and bystanders.
- 2. Connection to Services: CIT programs prioritize connecting individuals in crisis to appropriate mental health services rather than defaulting to jail or emergency departments, promoting recovery and reducing repeat crises.
3. System Coordination: CIT strengthens communication and coordination among law enforcement, mental health agencies, and advocacy groups, ensuring a seamless response during crises.
4. Reducing Trauma: By emphasizing empathy and understanding, CIT-trained officers minimize the trauma experienced by individuals and families during crisis interventions.
5. Community Awareness: CIT programs educate the public about mental health resources and how to request CIT officers, empowering communities to respond effectively to crises.
6. Policy and System Improvements: CIT partners work together to identify gaps in the crisis response system and advocate for better mental health services, creating long-term systemic change.
By addressing these areas, CIT transforms how communities respond to mental health crises, ensuring safer, more compassionate, and recovery-focused outcomes.