Crisis Intervention Teams
For the most detailed information on CIT in Indiana, please visit https://www.cit-indiana.org/
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a pre-arrest jail diversion that promotes and supports collaborative efforts to create and sustain more effective interactions among law enforcement, mental health care providers, individuals with mental illnesses, their families, and communities and to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
NAMI Indiana provides a framework to interested communities that brings CIT into more and more areas around the state. For more detailed information and resources, please visit https://www.cit-indiana.org NAMI Indiana's CIT Technical Assistance Center is operated by NAMI Indiana and supported by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.
The first Crisis Intervention Team was developed in Memphis Tennessee in 1988 under the leadership of Lt. Sam Cochran. He partnered with members of NAMI, local universities, and local mental health providers to develop training for law enforcement. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs now exist in many communities across the United States. CIT is much for than training and involves system mapping, improving policies and procedures, data collection, training and more. While this training was originally developed for law enforcement, it has been expanded to include dispatch, EMTs, and other first responders and criminal justice professionals. Over the course of one week, this 40 hour training teaches participants about various types of mental illnesses, as well as active listening and de-escalation of crisis situations, and what mental health resources are available in the community. The goal is to have a safe resolution of crisis situations involving individuals living with mental illness, and to divert these individuals away from the criminal justice system and into treatment where recovery can begin.
NAMI Indiana gladly works with those interested in building or strengthening CIT in their communities. For assistance with CIT in your community, please contact NAMI Indiana's Criminal Justice Director, Marianne Halbert.
In 2015, Gov. Pence signed SEA 380 into law. This bill was updated by 2017's Senate Enrolled Act 231. This important legislation established the creation of a state CIT Technical Assistance Center which is operated by NAMI Indiana with the support of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction and the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board.
Indiana CIT Contact Information by County
For a detailed listing of CIT programs and contact information for CIT Coordinators across Indiana, visit: https://www.cit-indiana.org/local-programs
Counties are considered "interested" in CIT if there has been an initial meeting scheduled or held involving local stakeholders who might potentially join the CIT steering committee in that county.
Counties are considered "planning" if they have formed a CIT steering committee and are meeting monthly to implement the core elements of their CIT program.
Counties are considered to have established a CIT program once they have held their first 40-hour CIT class and now have law enforcement officers trained to respond to mental health crisis. These communities continue to periodically host additional 40-hour CIT classes to build capacity within their law enforcement agencies and they also host CIT in-service trainings (continuing education for CIT officers).
Calendar: For information about upcoming CIT classes taking place around Indiana view the CIT Calendar. You will need to contact the local CIT coalition coordinator to inquire for information about the class, including any request to attend.
CIT Resources for Communities
NAMI Indiana's recommended curriculum for a CIT Class - Are you planning a CIT training in your community? Reach out to NAMI Indiana for technical assistance, support, and mini-grants. View our sample 40-hour curriculum which will walk you through the important components of Memphis Model CIT training. We will work with you and members of your local CIT steering committee to identify presenters for each topic of the curriculum.
Learn More about CIT and CIT Startup - CIT International has published materials to help communities build an effective CIT coalition and training curriculum in their community -- available to the public.
CIT International - Website with CIT resources from around the world. Membership is $25/ year.
Mental Health First and Aid and CIT - What Should Law Enforcement Do? - The National Council on Behavioral Health and CIT International worked together to publish this white paper about the strengths of and differences between MHFA and CIT.
