Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team Program Receives Platinum Certification from CIT International
The Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program has been awarded Platinum Level Certification through CIT International – the highest level of program certification.
The Crisis Intervention Team is a community partnership between law enforcement, behavioral healthcare professionals, and individuals and family members impacted by mental illness, substance use disorder, or intellectual and developmental disabilities, to improve community response to behavioral health crises. CIT focuses on improving the crisis response system, advocating for needed services, training first responders, and strengthening partnerships across the community.
“We’re proud of our CIT team for receiving the highest level of certification from CIT International,” said Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington. “Through our partnership and collaboration with local law enforcement, first responder and mental health partners, we are better able to respond to mental health crises in our community.”
The Mecklenburg County CIT Program benefits from 18 years of collaboration among Public Health, 16 different local law enforcement agencies, other first responders and 911 call-takers, multiple mental health agencies, NAMI, and many community volunteers, resulting in the strong partnerships and collaboration that have led to continuous growth and innovation year after year.
CIT International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that was formed to assist communities worldwide with crisis response system reform by developing CIT programs. Certification reflects how closely aligned a CIT program is with recommended best practices. A Platinum level program is one that has incorporated the best practices of CIT and is recognized as a leading program.
Based on the “Memphis Model,” CIT has been spreading across the U.S. and abroad since 1988. For more information, visit the national CIT website or the Mecklenburg County CIT website.