The New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) Division of Forensic Services, in collaboration with the Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration, is responsible for developing Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs across New York. NYS OMH and the Institute are also implementing the Mobile Access Program (MAP) in selected counties. Both initiatives are supported by the NYS Senate.
CIT programs transform crisis response systems to minimize the times that law enforcement officers are the first responders to individuals in emotional distress. (If it’s a mental health-related crisis, there ought to be a mental heath response). CIT programs also ensure that when police are the first responders, that they have the knowledge, skills and support to de-escalate situations and divert individuals from the juvenile and criminal justice systems, when possible. The password protected page on this site is for individuals who have attended our CIT train-the-trainer course. By logging in, you will be able to access the most up-to-date materials prior to teaching a week-long CIT course. If you have lost your login credentials or need other assistance, you can contact us.
The Mobile Access Program (MAP) connects residents in distress with mental health clinicians utilizing iPads (via Zoom for Healthcare, a secure teleconferencing software program) when law enforcement officers request assistance. Mental health staff conduct an evaluation remotely to help plan for an appropriate disposition. We are tracking different process and outcome variables and are especially interested in reducing unnecessary hospital transports by law enforcement and linking individuals to community-based care for follow-up. The MAP page on this site contains a training video for law enforcement and other information for those involved in the project.
RESOURCES
This article is based on an evaluation of CIT training conducted in 2019. We thank the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research for their collaboration on this study.
Promoting Mental Health and Criminal Justice Collaboration Through System-Level Partnerships by Don Kamin, Ph.D., Rob Weisman, DO and J. Steven Lamberti, MD
Law Enforcement In-Service Webinar: A Review of Working with Individuals in Distress & Ways to Increase Officer Wellness
Recorded on February 17, 2021, this webinar is divided into the following 4 sections:
1. Mental Health Issues – Presented by Carrie Ann Wong, LMSW, NYS Office of Mental Health & Assistant Chief Brian Gould, Cheektowaga Police Department (Please note that the audio improves dramatically at the 2:40 mark).
2. Communication Tools and Strategies – Presented by Assistant Chief Brian Gould, Cheektowaga Police Department & Don Kamin, Ph.D., Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration
3. Legal Issues – Presented by Don Kamin, Ph.D. & Assistant Chief Brian Gould
4. Officer Wellness – Presented by Assistant Chief Brian Gould & Carrie Ann Wong, LMSW. Also included at the end of this section (at the 29:40 mark) are questions and answers pertaining to all the sections of this in-service webinar.
Should Police Respond to Mental Health Emergencies?
Recorded on October 21, 2020, by Don Kamin, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration.
Two Great Examples of Transforming Crisis Response Systems
Presented at the 2020 CIT International Virtual Conference (on 8/25/20) by Broome County CIT Coordinator Lt. Mike Hatch (ret.) and Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration Director Don Kamin, Ph.D.
Demystifying Mental Health Counseling: What it is and How can Officers Benefit?
This webinar was broadcast on December 10, 2019 by the NYS Office of Mental Health. It is designed to educate individuals on what mental health counseling is and how police officers and other first responders can benefit from seeking out treatment.
Presenters: Rana Meehan, LMHC, MPA oversees the Division of Forensic Services, Mental Health Criminal Justice Collaboration Unit at the NYS Office of Mental Health. Carrie Wong, LMSW works for the NYS Office of Mental Health, Division of Forensic Services, Mental Health Criminal Justice Collaboration Unit.
NYS OMH Webinar recording NYSP Wellness Summit slides Officer Wellness- Handout
Broome County 911 Distressed Caller Diversion Program
The link below is to the webinar conducted by Michael Hatch, Broome County’s CIT Coordinator broadcast on September 27, 2019. The webinar explains how Broome County developed a program that diverts calls coming in to 911 from law enforcement to more optimal services. Please note that you’ll hear about two minutes of audio prior to seeing the slides that are part of the presentation.
Broome County 911 Distressed Caller Diversion Program (Webinar) Broome County 911 Diversion Program (PowerPoint slides)
CIT International’s Best Practice Guide
Results from CIT discussion session at NAMI-NYS Educational Conference (10/25/19)
NAMI NYS CIT Discussion 10-25-19
CIT SUCCESS STORIES
Syracuse CIT Officers Help 14 Year Old Boy
Syracuse PD Officers Sucessfully Intervene with Suicidal Subject