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Crisis Response

Programs and Training

Providing Technical Assistance and Training for Crisis Response Systems Worldwide

THE TRAINING

The Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT) is a 40-hour training program designed to prepare police officers in their response to people experiencing crises related to behavioral health conditions (including mental health conditions and substance use disorders) and intellectual and developmental disabilities. This training is based upon the original Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and is designed to complement the development and delivery of crisis response programs planned by law enforcement agencies, behavioral health services providers, and disability service providers in the community.

CRIT’s overall philosophy is officer safety, public safety, and diversion from the criminal justice system when possible. The goals of the curriculum include: 

    • ​Expanding officers’ knowledge of mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities
    • Creating connections with people with lived experience
    • Enhancing officers’ awareness of community services
    • Emphasizing the de-escalation of crisis situations
    • Supporting officer safety and wellness

THE DEVELOPMENT

To inform the development of CRIT, a project funded under a cooperative agreement awarded by the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, brought together subject matter experts, which included the Chief Executive Officer, Ron Bruno and Board of Directors, Dr. Amy Watson and Dr. Don Kamin of Crisis Response Programs and Training, Inc., to develop and refine the curriculum's first two versions.  

Under a continued project, supported by a grant awarded by the Bureau of Justice, the curriculum was further developed by an Academic Training Initiative to Inform Police ResponsesThe final training content was built upon the first two versions.

What is the difference between CIT training and CRIT training?

CRIT is based on CIT training.  It is the generic name applied to the training curriculum developed through funding by the Bureau of Justice.

CRIT training includes more in-depth instruction on intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as incorporating officer wellness. 

Additionally, CRIT is designed to support law enforcement agencies in their implementation of many different crisis response models in their community—which may include, but are not limited to, Crisis Intervention Teams. 

CRIT is a 40-hour training program that includes 18 modules of varying lengths and learning styles. These modules focus on topical areas such as behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities, community engagement and resources, systems and legal considerations, and scenario-based skills. 

Train-the-Trainer

Crisis Response Programs and Training offers a 4-day in-person train-the-trainer of this CRIT course.  Attendees will not only learn how to deliver the training, but also learn how to select and prepare site visits, select and train course instructors, conduct scenario based training, select and train role players, deliver a 16-hour de-escalation skills and strategies version, and so much more.

All of our instructors have years of experience with delivering crisis response intervention training and working in crisis response services.  Our instructors will call upon their experience and expertise to make certain that participants will leave feeling confident in corrdinating this training in their communities. 

This train-the-trainer is for those who are not experienced in delivering such courses or want to improve an existing course or their own skills for coordinating and delivering such training.  The full curriculum including an instructor manual is available by clicking the link below.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL CRIT CURRICULUM HERE

CRIT 16-hour De-escalation Skills and Strategies Course

Crisis Response Programs and Training has adapted the 40-hour CRIT curriculum for a 16-hour de-escalation training for all law enforcement officers.  For those who complete the train-the-trainer, they will not only be trained on how to deliver the full 40-hour course of instruction for law enforcement crisis response specialist, but will receive the modified curriculum and instruction on delivering the 16- hour course of instruction appropriate to train all law enforcement  officers in the same de-escalation skills and strategies.

CRIT for Corrections

Crisis Response Programs and Training has adapted the 40-hour CRIT curriculum for a course dedicated to corrections.  This course provides minor modifications to selected modules, recommendations for site visits, and includes correction-based scenarios.

Past Attendees' Comments

“Awesome training and instructional materials. This is the gold standard.”

~J. Hollingsworth, Statewide CIT Coordinator, NAMI Alabama, CIT International Coordinator of the Year~

“Great extension to my CIT Training. This gives us much more flexibility and room to learn and grow with our crisis intervention strategies and program.”

~Lieutenant M. House, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office~

“The team was very professional but made it fun. Much improvement on CIT.”

~C. Gibson, Ph.D, Director pf Crisis Services, Alta Pointe Health~

“This has been some of the best training I have gotten. It thoroughly prepares you to be an instructor.”

~Deputy K. Horn, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office~

“Structure allows for repetition of some of the most important content. Great structure that aids and develops instructor skill and content mastery.

100% ready to be implemented.”

~Officer C. Higgins, CIT Coordinator, Opelika Police Department~

“This class expanded on the CIT model. It was well taught and flowed very well.

I have attended the CIT train-the-trainer and the way this class was presented flowed easier and was more engaging.”

~Chief C. Wigner, Bethel Police Department~

"I appreciated the way the material was laid out and presented.  Very well organized and professionally prepared.  The instructors were very knowledgeable and provided lived experience. Our goal is to assist those in crisis and with this training, we will be better prepared to do so."

~Captain Mackey, Shreveport Fire Department~

"The things I liked most about this training was learning how to get the class engaged, how to work with co-instructors to seamlessly hit missed points, and learning effective ways  to run and facilitate scenarios in a way that encourages students. This course was phenomenally presented.  The instructors were so knowledgable with the material and brought their many years of experience into the class.The CRIT curriculum will make officers better at de-escalation,

which will improve safety for them and the community."

~Corporal Pierce, Caddo Sheriffs Office~

"What I liked most about this training was the opportunity to practice multiple times.  The content was delivered so well that we all were experts in the material in a short time.  This training was valuable and will definitely change the way I work.  I learned a great deal in a comfortable and engaging environment."

~K. Chipemba, United States Air Force~

UPCOMING  COURSES

click on the course below to be taken to its registration page

CRIT Train-the-Trainer

Registration Fee $2,450.

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Register for July 22-25, 2024 in SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, USA


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To host a train-the-trainer course in your area, please contact Schedule Training for a proposal.  

For pre-scheduled train-the-trainer courses open to anyone, sign up for an available course listed below.


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