Create subcommittees and assign tasks
At this stage, the Steering Committee can benefit from creating subcommittees and distributing the workload. CIT Steering Committees typically need three subcommittees, but this can vary depending on the size and needs of the community.
Subcommittees should address three main issues:
- Systems. This subcommittee is responsible for researching the current system for crisis response and service delivery, the linkages between agencies, and the operating procedures currently in place.
- Data. This subcommittee will investigate whether any data currently exists that could help guide the development of the CIT program, and will make plans for future data collection that will measure the effectiveness of the program.
- Training. The training subcommittee will review the CIT curriculum model and adapt it to their community. They will also plan special components of the training, such as face-to-face visits with individuals with mental illness and begin recruiting speakers who can serve as CIT trainers.
The work of the subcommittees should inform the committee about the structure and infrastructure of current systems and how they interact during and after a crisis. This research provides the Steering Committee with an understanding of how the community systems function and how best to enhance the current systems by implementing CIT. The subcommittees should each provide detailed recommendations for next steps.
For detailed descriptions of the role of the subcommittees refer to the Subcommittee Job Descriptions.
Perspectives:
- Working together in subcommittees provides the Steering Committee members with an opportunity to build informal relationships and learn from each other.
- In order to foster these relationships each subcommittee should include a law enforcement officer, a mental health provider and an advocate. An individual may serve on more than one subcommittee, especially in small communities.
- As the subcommittees interact with the agencies and with front-line workers, they should have the support of agency supervisors. Front-line workers may be apprehensive about how CIT may affect them. It is important for the subcommittees to clearly communicate that their goal is to ensure CIT is compatible with the system currently in place and meets the needs of all agencies involved. A positive and respectful approach will build excitement about CIT with the broader community.
Resources
To locate CIT programs, contact one of the following organizations:
Data Subcommittee Job Description
Systems Subcommittee Job Description