The document discusses Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), programs designed to help law enforcement effectively respond to mental health crises. CIT programs involve training law enforcement to de-escalate crises and connect individuals to mental health services instead of the criminal justice system. The document notes social workers provide training to CIT on mental illness and best practices. It also discusses themes from interviews like lack of understanding between CIT and social workers, and increasing social workers' roles through advocacy, cross-training, and community partnership.

1. Social Work and the Law
Community Mental Health Social Workers and
Emergency Response Personnel
(Socialworkpersonnel.com, (Galleryhip.com, n.d.)

2. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
 What is it?- A program designed to
help law enforcement effectively
respond to people who are
experiencing mental health crises.
(NAMI, 2015).
- Is ran by law enforcement agencies i.e.,
sheriff and police departments and more
recently, fire departments.
- A preventative jurisprudence program
aimed at reducing legal involvement of
persons who are suffering from persistent
serious mental illness.

3. Continued
 CIT members often work alongside
social workers and mental health
professionals to gather information
regarding the person they are trying to
help.
 They are trained to de-escalate a
crisis situation by using a non-
authoritative response to crisis calls.

4. Why CIT?
 64% percent of jail inmates have had a
mental health problem (James & Glaze, 2006).
 CIT programs reduce unnecessary
arrests and legal involvement.
 Instead of going to jail for erratic or
hostile behaviors, a person experiencing
a mental health crisis will receive
psychiatric care.
 The person will also have a better
chance of being connected to additional
community resources once care is
received.

5. Interview Themes
 Lack of understanding between mental health social workers
and CIT personnel.
◦ CIT personnel and social workers do not know protocols and
specifics of each others agencies.
 Confusion regarding confidentiality between mental health
workers and CIT personnel.
◦ Often requests are made by mental health workers that may
violate HIPPA and no system in place to address the potential for
violation so communication can occur between agencies.
 Community shift toward therapeutic jurisprudence through
mental health court systems and CIT programs.
 Lack of resources- not enough
CIT personnel to meet
community needs.

6. Social Work Roles
 Mental health social workers provide
training to CIT programs
•Regarding common mental
illness diagnoses
•Symptoms of mental illness
•Mental health best practices
and engaging with individuals in
crises
(Milestonesranch.com, n.d)

7. Increasing Social Work Roles
 Micro level-
◦ Social workers should work alongside CIT
programs to build community partnerships.
◦ Cross train with CIT personnel to gain a
better understanding of CIT model and best
practices.
 Mezzo level-
◦ Advocate for increased communication
between agencies to better assist clients in
need.
 Macro level-
◦ Increase support for expanding CIT programs

8. Outcomes of Preventative
Jurisprudence
◦ Increased community awareness of CIT
programs
◦ Increased community acceptance and
awareness of mental illness
◦ Increased positive community view of
emergency responders i.e., increased
community policing versus traditional
policing
◦ Decreased legal involvement and
increased therapeutic jurisprudence for
crimes when possible

9. Criticism
 Therapeutic jurisprudence programs
may be viewed as a system limiting
the right to seek justice for those
whose rights have been violated.
 Possible legal issues regarding
information sharing between agencies.

10. Conclusion
 Social workers can influence the implementation of
programs through all levels of practice: micro,
mezzo, and macro.
 Social workers can and should continue to work
with law enforcement agencies and court systems
to provide preventative legal assistance.

11. References
James, D., & Glaze, L. (2006). Mental health problems of
prison and jail inmates (NCJ213DO). Washington, DC:
Government Printing Office.
NAMI, (2015) Crisis intervention teams. retrieved from
http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Se
ction=cit2&template=/ContentManage
ment/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=65065