Learn more about the CIT program model
Understanding the specifics of the CIT model will help you clarify your goal and purpose. It will also help you see what makes CIT different from more traditional approaches. Use web resources to collect information about the CIT model.
In addition to the web resources listed, consider contacting your state mental health agency, state police officer standards and training board and your NAMI State Organization to find out what CIT efforts are already underway in your state.
As you learn about CIT, do not become discouraged if it seems your community does not have enough community mental health resources. Often, the close partnerships fostered by CIT allow communities to devise creative ways to accommodate the community's mental health needs. Many times mental health services and supports are in place but are not utilized effectively. Better coordination between mental health provider agencies, law enforcement and other social service providers can help communities use resources better.
Steps 2 and 3 of this guide provide more detail about improving coordination and offer creative problem-solving strategies to improve your community's use of resources.
Resources
Several organizations provide information about CIT:
Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project
IACP: Building Safer Communities: Improving Police Response to Persons with Mental Illness
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
University of Memphis CIT Center
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing