Crisis Intervention Team Training

The CIT course is developed around five central themes: Understanding Behavioral Health, Developing Empathy, Navigating Community Resources, De-escalation Skills, and Practical Application. The 40 hours of training provides information on signs and symptoms of mental illnesses, mental health treatment, co-occurring disorders, legal issues, and de-escalation techniques. The CIT curriculum also includes content on developmental disabilities, older adult issues, trauma, and excited delirium. Information is presented in didactic, experiential, and practical skills/scenario-based training formats. The training week includes panels of providers, family members, and persons with mental illnesses, as well as site visits to facilities in the community. Upon completing the course, officers are better prepared to recognize when signs and symptoms represent a crisis situation, safely de-escalate individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, and utilize community resources and diversion strategies to provide emergency assistance.