Crisis Intervention Teams and System Programs

The New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) Diversion Center announces the availability of funds for the administration of Crisis Intervention Team programs and adjacent systems transformation work in NYS. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is a partnership of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, their families, and other partners to improve community responses to mental health crises. While CIT programs are known for CIT-trained officers, successful programs also focus on adjacent system transformation work that supports improving the crisis response system, advocating for needed services, and strengthening partnerships across the community. CIT is a program that provides the foundation necessary to enhance and promote community and statewide solutions to assist individuals with a mental illness and/or substance use disorders. The CIT model reduces both stigma and the need for further involvement with the criminal justice system. CIT provides a forum for effective problem solving regarding the interaction between the criminal justice system and the mental health care system and creates the context for sustainable change. Research shows that communities that subscribe to the CIT program model have higher success rates in resolving serious crisis situations without an arrest or injury to the officer or citizen. The goals of CIT programs are: (1) to develop a more informed, empathic and effective crisis response system that is the least intrusive in a person's life; and (2) to help people who are experiencing an emotional crisis access medical/mental health treatment for illness related behaviors and avert the need for criminal justice system involvement. Related to the first goal, CIT programs seek to transform crisis response systems to minimize the times that law enforcement officers are the first responders to individuals experiencing an emotional crisis. In the statewide CIT initiative, this is referred to as ¿system transformation.¿ Central to the second goal of CIT programs is to ensure that, in situations where law enforcement presence is required, police have the knowledge, skills, and support to de-escalate situations and divert individuals from the criminal and juvenile justice systems whenever possible. Through system transformation work and first responder training, CIT programs can safely divert individuals in crisis away from the criminal justice system and towards meaningful support and appropriate treatment. CIT programs also foster strong partnerships between all the agencies involved in local crisis response systems, which promotes rapid problem-solving in crisis situations as well as continuous quality improvement. The goal of this RFP is to identify a qualified contractor to assume responsibility for the selection process of CIT sites, coordination and facilitation of training, and the delivery of on-going technical assistance to the selected CIT sites. This contractor is expected to provide technical assistance to localities seeking to transform their crisis response systems in alignment with the two goals described above. With this support and guidance, localities can build a strong foundation that incorporates all the components of a successful and sustainable CIT program, including: ¿ A steering or advisory committee ¿ A system mapping workshop ¿ Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement ¿ Participation in a CIT Train-the-Trainer course ¿ Methods and metrics for ongoing program evaluation ¿ Exploration and support of adjacent systems transformation work In addition to coordination of the CIT statewide program, the awardee is expected to collaborate with current Mobile Access Programs (MAPs). The MAP is a police-based telehealth program that provides iPads to officers and local mental health clinicians. When officers respond to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis and need assistance to assess the situation and determine an appropriate disposition, they can request a virtual consultation. Mental health clinicians then meet remotely with the distressed individuals via iPad video call. The main goals of MAP are to increase timely access to mental health consultations, avoid unnecessary transports to hospitals by police, and link individuals to community-based care for follow-up. Please see the RFP document for full information and funding details.