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Segmented Training for Small Departments

Presented by: Greta ByrdSmoky Mountain LME/MCODetective Brian ShufordYancey County Sheriff’s OfficeDate: February 10, 2015

Why CIT in Rural Areas?

• Knowledge is key. • It is important to have increased knowledge of

mental health issues and resources as service system in NC has changed.

• Increased knowledge helps decrease time officers spend handing situations.

• Increased officer and consumer safety.• Redirect individuals from judicial system to

health care system.

Yancey CountyHighest Point in the United States East of the Mississippi

River

Yancey CountyCounty Seat: Burnsville

Mitchell County

Mitchell CountyCounty Seat: Bakersville

Yancey and Mitchell Counties

• Population 17,818 - Yancey – 313 sq. miles• Population 15, 579 – Mitchell – 222 sq. miles

• Comparison: Square mileage of Wake County is 857 sq. miles. Population: 974,289 (2013)

A Comparison

Getting Started

• Making connections. Start with who you know. Groups that already meet together.

• Natural partnerships already exist – tap into them.

• Existing task forces that are already addressing community issues.

• Start small. Be flexible.

When It Happened

• June, 2014 – Five consecutive Mondays• Flexibility in presentations• A variety of presenters including crisis

response providers, advocacy organizations, and professionals

• Include individuals with lived experience to share their stories

How has it worked?

• Rural Partnerships May Even Be Easier– Getting the right partners at the table may be

easier because small communities are tight knit. Key players may be neighbors, friends, or go to the church.

– Resources! Small communities are used to accomplishing projects on a shoestring budget.

– Key players can identify volunteers, resources that may reduce costs significantly – “never hurts to ask”.

It’s Not as Hard as You Might Think!

• Find a Community Connector who can bring others together

• Form a Team• Schedule a Training• BE FLEXIBLE!

Buy In

• CIT will reduce the number of Officer related injuries

• CIT will reduce the number of physical confrontations with MH/ID consumers

• CIT will reduce the number of repeat calls with certain consumers

Issues to Address – Not Obstacles!

• Scheduling – overtime, etc.• Flexibility – when officers get calls,

etc.• Variety in presentation – officers may

have worked the overnight shift, etc.

Benefits to Being Involved

• Making a difference in your community.• Increased understanding – law enforcement is

already dealing with these kinds of calls.• All of us are one step away – family member,

loved one, neighbor, or even our colleagues may have experienced mental health, substance abuse or an intellectual developmental disability.

Community Involvement

• Partner with community stakeholders including schools, area agencies on aging, dss, and local mental health providers and make them part of CIT program and identify how they can help with training and funding.

Outcomes7 Officers Trained

Outcomes

• From CIT – a 2 day Community Stakeholders training was developed addressing similar topics.

• Detective Shuford was instrumental in bringing together DSS and school personnel to attend the 2-day Community Stakeholders training.

Questions?

Contact Information:Detective Brian ShufordBrian.Shuford@yanceycountync.govSmoky Mountain LME/MCOCIT CoordinatorLisa Astin, LCSWLisa.Astin@smokymountaincenter.com