A overview of Crisis Intervention Teams which help bridge the gap between law enforcement, citizens, and mental health professionals.

1. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention

2. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
What is CIT?
The CIT program seeks to bridge the gap between police response
and mental health care by forming a partnership with behavioral
health and human services professionals, consumers, their families
and law enforcement. This alliance is the catalyst in developing and
implementing a safer, proactive method for resolving explosive crisis
situations. The CIT program is just that, a “program” of which just
one component is the training of law enforcement. But CIT is much
more, built on a foundation of community collaboration and the
development of a responsive and accessible Community Behavioral
Health Crisis System.

3. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
1. Culture Change for Law Enforcement
– Mental Illness is a Law Enforcement issue
– Collaboration with EMS and Fire services
– Jail Diversion
– MH Courts
– MH Prosecutors / MH Public Defenders
– MH Probation Officers

4. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
2. Officer Safety Training
Training Law Enforcement to recognize signs and
symptoms of Mental Illness and effectively deal with
those suffering from a mental illness will:
A. Reduce officer injuries
* Time off of work
* Workman’s Compensation claims
B. Reduce consumer injuries

5. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
3. Community Collaboration and Training
– National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health
America, Autism groups
– Local Mental Health Authority (Texana)
– Private Mental Health Providers
– Local Hospitals
– Service Organizations (Lions Club, Exchange Club)

6. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
4. Resource Development
– Crisis Stabilization Unit
• 8 bed involuntary (Emergency Detentions)
• 14 bed voluntary Respite
– Substance abuse programs
– Housing assistance
– Post incarceration assistance

7. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
5. Crisis Intervention Team
– 10 Person unit (9 Deputies, 1 Sergeant)
– Assigned to Emergency Operations / Communications
Division of the Sheriff’s Office
– Responsibilities:
• MH Transports
• Crisis calls requiring a higher level of training or extended time to
resolve
• Connecting consumers with resources
– Attempted suicides
– Chronic consumers
– Referrals from S.O. patrol and other agencies
– Training

8. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
6. Goals:
– Reduce incarcerations of persons suffering from a
mental illness
– Enhance Law Enforcement response and safety
• Consumer safety
• Public safety
– Improve patient care and family support
– Reduce the number of State Facility admissions
– Reduce Emergency Room admissions
– Decrease impact on EMS services

9. Questions?

10. FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Crisis Intervention
Sergeant Scott Soland
Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office
Crisis Intervention Team
832-473-2677
scott.soland@fortbendcountytx.gov