Madera County Sheriffs Office Collaborative Crisis Response and Intervention Training Program

The proposed project will occur under the Category 1: Training Program for Law Enforcement Officers (Patrol Based) solicitation. The project seeks to provide CIT training and will result in a formalized Madera County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program and training regimen by the Madera County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). The program will be based on the core elements of the Memphis Model of CIT and involve bringing key community partners from law enforcement, mental health providers, community-based organizations, families, and individuals to work together to collaboratively plan and implement training and patrol-based protocols. The program will result in improving the safety of both law enforcement and individuals with mental illness as well as redirecting persons with mental illness from the judicial system to appropriate mental health treatment. This project adds a new component to (or enhances) existing efforts by the MCSO to internally train law enforcement and first responder personnel in crisis response strategies. The project will be coordinated by a MCSO Sheriff's Deputy CIT Coordinator, with the training component provided by a contracted mental health service provider. This contracted service provider will allocate at least two case managers and a clinician to provide appropriate training as well as patrol-based training with Sheriff's Deputies while on patrol. The service provider will deliver mental health services, treatment, and continued support/case management to consumers during and following law enforcement contacts. The overall intent of the proposed program is to improve safety during crisis calls for service; increase connections to effective and timely mental health services for people in mental health crisis; strategically use Madera County law enforcement personnel during crisis situations and increase the role of mental health professionals, peer support specialists, and other community supports; reduce the trauma people experience during a mental health crisis and contribute to long-term recovery.