Countywide Crisis Intervention Team, Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs) have transformed how communities respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises by combining law enforcement know-how with mental health expertise. While many localities have successful CIT programs at the municipal level, scaling this model countywide can vastly improve crisis response equity and effectiveness. Building a countywide crisis intervention team involves intentional planning, collaboration across sectors, and commitment to ongoing evaluation. This detailed guide explores how to build a countywide CIT that is sustainable, impactful, and designed for your community’s unique needs.
What Is a Crisis Intervention Team?
A crisis intervention team is a specially trained unit within law enforcement that collaborates closely with mental health professionals and community agencies to respond compassionately and safely to mental health emergencies. CITs focus on de-escalation, diversion to treatment, and reducing criminal justice involvement for people in crisis. Scaling CIT programs countywide ensures all residents, no matter their municipality, have access to trained responders and mental health resources.
Laying the Foundation: Key First Steps
Engage Key Stakeholders
Building a countywide CIT starts with identifying and engaging partners essential to success:
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Law enforcement agencies from all municipalities within the county
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Mental health providers and hospitals
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County health departments and social service agencies
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Advocacy groups and peer support organizations
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Elected officials, judges, and policymakers
Bringing together these stakeholders early fosters shared vision and mutual understanding. Convening steering committee meetings allows partners to discuss current crisis response gaps and begin collaboratively shaping program goals.
Assess Community Needs
Understanding the county’s behavioral health landscape, demographics, call volumes, and existing crisis response resources is crucial. Conduct surveys, review data, and tap community input to identify strengths and weaknesses in responding to mental health emergencies. This information guides program design tailored to local realities.
Developing Your Countywide CIT Plan
Form a Steering Committee and Subcommittees
A governing committee keeps the project on track, provides leadership, and ensures coordination across jurisdictions. This body often includes key representatives from law enforcement, mental health, and advocacy.
Subcommittees may focus on:
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Training development and standardization for all responding officers and dispatchers
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Policy creation covering officer roles, transport procedures, and data sharing
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Community outreach and public information campaigns
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Funding strategies and grant applications
Design Comprehensive Training
Training is the backbone of any CIT program. Develop curriculum standardized for countywide use that addresses:
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Mental health conditions and symptoms
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De-escalation and communication techniques
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Cultural competence and bias awareness
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Legal considerations and patient rights
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Use of force alternatives
Encourage volunteer participation from officers who demonstrate suitable temperament and interest. Train dispatchers alongside officers to improve crisis call triage.
Establish Crisis Facilities and Referral Networks
To succeed countywide, CITs need:
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Psychiatric emergency centers with no-refusal policies for CIT referrals
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Mobile crisis teams for field support or co-responder models
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Partnerships with outpatient treatment providers, housing programs, and peer support
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Memorandums of understanding between agencies to ensure smooth transfer of care
These resources create a continuum of care beyond the initial crisis moment.
Secure Sustainable Funding
Building and maintaining a CIT program requires diverse funding sources including:
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County government appropriations
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Federal and state grants (e.g., SAMHSA grants)
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Partnerships with non-profits and healthcare organizations
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Cost-sharing between law enforcement agencies
Demonstrating CIT outcomes through data strengthens funding proposals.
Implementing and Expanding Your Program
Pilot and Scale
Start with pilot programs in key jurisdictions before countywide rollout. Use lessons learned to refine training, policies, and partnerships.
Monitor Progress
Track key performance metrics such as:
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Number of CIT calls handled
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Diversion rates from arrest to treatment
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Officer injuries and use-of-force incidents
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Repeat crisis calls and hospitalizations
Regular evaluation enables continual improvement and builds stakeholder confidence.
Engage the Community
Hold public forums, conduct media outreach, and promote CIT successes. Educating residents about available crisis response options enhances trust and utilization.
What Does a Countywide Crisis Intervention Team Accomplish?
A well-built countywide CIT:
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Improves safety by ensuring trained responders handle mental health crises
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Increases timely access to treatment and reduces incarceration of people with behavioral health needs
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Builds collaboration across disciplines fostering shared responsibility and trust
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Provides consistent crisis response quality across all parts of the county
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Supports officers with training, clear procedures, and backup from mental health partners
Additional Resources and Best Practices
One of the best resources for counties implementing CIT programs is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which offers guides, training resources, and policy recommendations proven to enhance CIT program success. Learn more from NAMI here:
NAMI Crisis Intervention Team Programs.
Read More: How Crisis Intervention Teams Police Training Strengthens Mental Health Crisis Response
Conclusion
Building a countywide crisis intervention team requires intentional partnership, thorough planning, and adaptable strategies. From laying a solid foundation to implementing comprehensive training and coordinating care networks, success depends on collaboration and persistent leadership. Countywide CIT programs hold the promise of safer, more compassionate mental health crisis responses, reducing burdens on criminal justice and healthcare systems while improving community wellbeing.
