MAINE'S CIT

Regional Councils

CIT REGIONAL COUNCILS

Purpose and Processes

Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) is more than just a training. When fully implemented, CIT is about building partnerships between law enforcement and the mental health community. While the training is a critical component, the development of strong regional councils serves as the foundation for implementing the model. The goal is that each training council has a corresponding CIT regional council.

REGIONAL COUNCIL

Members:

Regional Councils play a critical role in the implementation of the CIT Program. The council must include family members and individuals directly impacted by mental illness, law enforcement officers, and mental health providers.

REGIONAL COUNCIL

Coordination:

Regional Councils should be co-chaired by a mental health professional and a law enforcement officer. NAMI Maine serve as staff to each council organizing logistics, sharing minutes, and ensuring CIT related program topics are included for discussion.

MEETING

Frequency:

Meetings occur on a quarterly basis at a minimum, more frequently as needed for planning CIT weeks and CIT Advanced Refreshers. Additional meetings can be scheduled as desired by the council members.

REGIONAL COUNCIL

Roles & Responsibilities:

Implementation of the CIT program requires local regional councils to ensure critical program components are delivered. These program components include developing a feasible plan for collecting the minimal required data points, ensuring collaboration for complex cases and individuals in frequent contact with emergency services, identifying and scheduling CIT-related training needs for the region, and discussion of surveys’ officers complete to evaluate the effectiveness of CIT training to inform future CIT training weeks.

REGIONAL COUNCIL'S

Decision-Making Authority:

Training:

Determining the timing when they would like CIT to occur in their jurisdiction
Identifying special topics that should be addressed during CIT week
Selecting subject experts that they would like to invite to present as part of CIT week.
Identifying topic and timing of Advanced CIT Refresher
Each department within a regional council’s district, who has signed the participation agreement, is allotted two CIT training slots—those participating on the council will be allotted additional or unused slots

Data Collection:

Councils determine process for collecting data from departments/reporting in aggregated form to NAMI using guidelines created by SAMHSA

Operating Expectations:

Councils follow Robert’s Rules of Order
Each police department and mental health provider in attendance is afforded one vote in decision-making

CIT Officer Scott Hendee of the Cumberland Police Department

REGIONAL COUNCIL

Members & Meetings:

REGION 1

York County

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of February, May, August, and November at 1:00 PM

Law Enforcement Chair:
Chief Robert MacKenzie, Kennebunk Police Department

Mental Health Chair:
Meredith Stack, LCPC – Sweetser Crisis Services

REGION 2

Cumberland County

Meets the 2nd Thursday of February, May, August, and November at 12:30 PM

Law Enforcement Chair:
Chief Charles Rumsey, Cumberland Police Department

Mental Health Chair:
Melissa Gattine, LCPC – Maine Behavioral Health

REGION 3

Androscoggin, Oxford, Franklin Counties

Meets the 3rd Thursday of February, May, August, and November at 10:00 AM

Law Enforcement Chair:
Sheriff Eric Samson, Androscoggin County

Mental Health Chair:
Alyssa Pelchat, LCSW, CCS -Sweetser Crisis Services

REGION 4

Kennebec, Somerset Counties

Meets the 1st Wednesday of March, June, September, and December at 1:00 PM

Law Enforcement Chair:
Major Kevin Lully, Augusta Police Department

Mental Health Chair:
Pat McKenzie, LCSW – Kennebec Behavioral Health

REGION 5

Piscataquis, Penobscot Counties

Meets the 1st Thursday of February, May, August, and November at 1:00 PM

Law Enforcement Chair:
Sergeant Jason McAmbley, Bangor Police Department

Mental Health Chair:
Alexis Petterson, LCSW – Community Health and Counseling Crisis Services

REGION 6

Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Waldo, Knox Counties

Meets the 2nd Friday of February, May, August, and November at 10 AM

Law Enforcement Chair:
Sheriff Joel Merry, Sagadahoc County

Mental Health Chair:
Jessica LeBlanc, LCSW – Sweetser Crisis Services

REGION 7

Hancock, Washington Counties

Meeting Time – TBD

Chairs – TBD

REGION 8

Aroostook County

Meets the 1st Tuesday of February, May, August, and November at 3:00 PM

Law Enforcement Chair:
Sheriff Shawn Gillen, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office

Mental Health Chair:
Sarah Wright, MHRT-CSP – Aroostook Mental Health Center

If you would like more information on the CIT Regional Council Meetings, or if you are interested in getting involved in your Regional CIT Council Meetings contact us at MHFA@namimaine.org

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