Ulster officers train in crisis intervention

Ulster County conducted its first Officer Crisis Intervention Training this May 11th-May 15th. A total of 33 Law Enforcement and Correction Officers are currently trained in CIT. The Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs) are specialized police units comprised of officers who volunteer for service on the team and receive 40 hours of training in the identification of symptoms of mental illness, onsite crisis management and de-escalation techniques, and appropriate use of local mental health services. Police departments with CITs utilize these officers as the go to responders for crisis with individuals displaying symptoms of mental health. The training was speared head by Dolores Spicer, Nami Mid-Hudson Board Member with a strong collaboration with the Ulster County Department of Mental Health, the Sheriffs Office, and consultation with Don Kamin and Mark Giuliano. In addition 28 Community Professionals, families, individuals and/or agencies joined us to contribute their expertise or share their personal experiences. At the weeks end participants reported that the experience and knowledge acquired was valuable, providing them with many useful strategies, tools and increased knowledge of supportive agencies that can offer individual and/or family support as an alternative to hospitalization.

A thank-you is extended to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Amy McCracken/Deputy Commissioner Ulster County Department of Mental Health, and Sergeant Storey for their support and guidance. A special thank-you to Mark Giuliano, Coordinator/Instructor from the Westchester County Director of Community Support, and Instructors; Deputy Sherriff Jai Phillips, and Lieutenant Thierry Crozier.

The completion of this training was a success that demonstrated the value of a small Grass Root Non-profit Organization that gained the supportive collaboration with Municipalities, agencies and individuals with a shared interest to meet the needs of the community!