FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention What is CIT? The CIT program seeks to bridge the gap between police response and mental health care by forming a partnership with behavioral health and human services professionals, consumers, their families and law enforcement. This alliance is the catalyst in developing and implementing a safer, proactive method for resolving explosive crisis situations. The CIT program is just that, a “program” of which just one component is the training of law enforcement. But CIT is much more, built on a foundation of community collaboration and the development of a responsive and accessible Community Behavioral Health Crisis System.

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention 1.Culture Change for Law Enforcement – Mental Illness is a Law Enforcement issue – Collaboration with EMS and Fire services – Jail Diversion – MH Courts – MH Prosecutors / MH Public Defenders – MH Probation Officers

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention 2. Officer Safety Training Training Law Enforcement to recognize signs and symptoms of Mental Illness and effectively deal with those suffering from a mental illness will: A.Reduce officer injuries * Time off of work * Workman’s Compensation claims B. Reduce consumer injuries

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention 3.Community Collaboration and Training – National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, Autism groups – Local Mental Health Authority (Texana) – Private Mental Health Providers – Local Hospitals – Service Organizations (Lions Club, Exchange Club)

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention 4. Resource Development – Crisis Stabilization Unit 8 bed involuntary (Emergency Detentions) 14 bed voluntary Respite – Substance abuse programs – Housing assistance – Post incarceration assistance

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention 5. Crisis Intervention Team – 10 Person unit (9 Deputies, 1 Sergeant) – Assigned to Emergency Operations / Communications Division of the Sheriff’s Office – Responsibilities: MH Transports Crisis calls requiring a higher level of training or extended time to resolve Connecting consumers with resources – Attempted suicides – Chronic consumers – Referrals from S.O. patrol and other agencies – Training

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention 6. Goals: – Reduce incarcerations of persons suffering from a mental illness – Enhance Law Enforcement response and safety Consumer safety Public safety – Improve patient care and family support – Reduce the number of State Facility admissions – Reduce Emergency Room admissions – Decrease impact on EMS services

Questions?

FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Crisis Intervention Sergeant Scott Soland Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Intervention Team