Crisis Intervention Team

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program at MPNN BH is a testament to the power of collaboration. We bring together local stakeholders, including:

• Law Enforcement Officers
• Emergency Dispatchers
• Consumers of Mental Health Services
• Mental Health Treatment Providers
• Others, such as:
  • Hospitals
  • Emergency Medical Care Facilities
  • Family Advocates
  • Non-law enforcement First Responders

Our shared goal is clear: to enhance the multi-system response to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises who come into contact with law enforcement and first responders.

Key Aspects of Our CIT Program:

• Comprehensive Training: The Middle Peninsula Northern Neck CIT program conducts four 40-hour trainings annually across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, equipping our local heroes with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond to behavioral health crises. To date, our CIT program has trained nearly 700 individuals.
• Dispatchers' Training: In 2023, our program expanded its reach by providing 8-hour Crisis Intervention training to Emergency Dispatchers, responding to the implementation of The Marcus-David Peters Act, also known as The Marcus Alert System.
• CIT Assessment Center: We proudly operate a CIT assessment center in Gloucester, known as the Recovery Assessment Support Center (RASC). This center is staffed by a CIT trained law enforcement officer, a certified peer support specialist, and an emergency services counselor. RASC sites provide a therapeutic environment for assessments and pre-admission screenings.

At MPNN BH, we believe that safer communities are built through understanding and compassionate responses to behavioral health crises. Our CIT program is a shining example of how collective efforts can make a significant difference in the lives of those who need support the most.