Crisis Intervention Teams in Rhode Island: Stakeholder Perspectives & Pathways Forward

• In Event: Policing and Critical Incidents and Crises

Abstract

In 2019, Rhode Island began implementation of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) programs. Since this time, CIT has been used to build partnerships between law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and public health advocates with the goal of diverting persons with mental illness from criminal justice involvement. This presentation uses qualitative semi-structured interviews to highlight the utility of CIT as understood by the primary stakeholders of the CIT community in Rhode Island. Interviewees include local law enforcement officials, behavioral health providers, and community advocates (n = 15) involved in the establishment and continued operation of CIT in Rhode Island (CIT-RI). Qualitative analyses highlight the foundational goals of CIT, community feedback, strengths of training content, stakeholder perceptions of CIT-RI implementation, and areas for improvement. Broadly, results suggest a widespread level of support for the program among local stakeholders with areas for improvement related to communication and local infrastructure. We conclude with a discussion of implications for CIT-RI policy and practice.

Authors

• Beck Strah, Roger Williams University

• Caitlin O'Connor, Roger Williams University

• Liz Gledhill, Thundermist Health Center