Development and implementation of Crisis Response Training Program for City of Tarrant.

BJA FY 21 Collaborative Crisis Response Training Program
The City of Tarrant (Alabama) Police Department: 
“Crisis Response and Prevention Program"
Project Narrative

The City of Tarrant and the Tarrant Police Department seek BJA funding of approximately $150,000, combined with $48,057 of in-kind contributions for a 36-month project that will allow for a “Crisis Response and Prevention Training Program” to provide targeted skills training and the development of procedures surrounding mental and behavioral health; crises intervention and response; long term solutions for repairing relationships with and creating opportunities for positive interaction between law enforcement and the members of the community including, categorically underserved minority and impoverished citizens; developing pro-active strategies to decrease repeat encounters; best practices for emergency and disaster response; team building; and creating collaborative partnerships with surrounding law enforcement agencies. Activities under this project will actively seek to engage both law enforcement and non-law enforcement participants, including the Bureau of Justice Assistance, state and local law enforcement agencies, mental and behavioral health advisors, local and regional education providers, and industry professionals, as well as establish and re-enforce positive, interactive relationships with the youth of the City of Tarrant and surrounding communities.
This project will address the rising incidences of mental and behavioral health distress encounters in the City of Tarrant and surrounding Jefferson County, Alabama and provide 24 officers and personnel of the City of Tarrant and Tarrant Police Department with best practices for crisis response and prevention. In addition, activities during this project will also include re-building relationships and trust with historically marginalize groups that comprise a combined majority of the approximately 6,100 citizens of the City of Tarrant, including the impoverished (currently 30% of our city is at or below the federal poverty level) minority groups (African Americans comprise 51% of the City of Tarrant with Hispanics/Latinos comprising another 19%), senior citizens, youth and members of our community with physical and intellectual disabilities.  
The City of Tarrant is not a current or previous recipient of BJA law enforcement or justice and mental health grant funds.
This project will seek to employ key partners and paid third party experts, which have yet to be identified, to assist in these endeavors.