Sustain and Expand
What is Involved?
In order to sustain the program, the Steering Committee should meet regularly to review how the program is working, problem-solve about policy and service issues and plan future trainings. Partners should also work on raising public awareness. Not only does public awareness make it easier for residents to access CIT officers, community support helps partner agencies remain committed to the program. Many communities eventually expand their efforts to address specific populations, including children and veterans, or to include other criminal justice professionals such as corrections, probation and parole.
Why is it Important?
CIT is an ongoing program. Without sustained effort and partnership, a training-only approach quickly loses its impact and value to the community. CIT is successful when it is envisioned as a long- term process of transformation of the community's response to people experiencing mental health crises. As the community's needs change, leadership changes and officers retire or transfer, it will be necessary to provide frequent training opportunities. . Sustaining the integrity of CIT requires a diligent effort of working with and adapting to changes..
Who is Involved?
The core partners—law enforcement, mental health service providers and advocates—continue to be the linchpin for successfully sustaining CIT. However, adding to that group provides both stability and opportunities to innovate and expand the program's reach. For example, including correctional officers, emergency medical services, probation and parole and other professionals can provide opportunities to train others in the community to respond to people with mental illness in crisis. CIT programs can also become a springboard for broader community efforts that address the stigma of mental illness, the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and harmful cuts to community mental health services. In addition, local programs benefit enormously from working with statewide networks and organizations, which promote CIT and provide CIT programs with opportunities to assist and support each other. In addition to commitment by a variety of partners, CIT programs require day-to-day administration. A law enforcement CIT coordinator ensures smooth communication between agencies and organizations, supports CIT officers and is accountable to law enforcement leaders. In large communities with multiple jurisdictions, there are sometimes also community coordinators, who work for mental health agencies or advocacy groups, and have a role in supporting and coordinating the work of several law enforcement agencies.
How long does it take?
CIT is not a process that ends. Rather, it promotes a new way of working together as a community. The shared goals and relationships will continually challenge partner agencies to more effectively respond to people in crisis.
What is Next?
To sustain and expand, it is necessary to engage in a series of tasks. It is important to meet regularly, raise awareness, recognize service, network with communities, expand partnership scopes, and plan ongoing training. You can find additional information about these tasks on the menu to the left.