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Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Advocacy Toolkit
Introduction
NAMI's CIT Advocacy Toolkit is designed to help NAMI state organizations and affiliates, law enforcement agencies, and mental health providers advocate for CIT in their communities. The construction of this toolkit is ongoing; as we develop materials, we will post them to this website, and we'll let you know about them in CIT in Action, our monthly e-newsletter. Let us know what resources would be most helpful to you! To share your comments and suggestions, or to subscribe to CIT in Action, contact Laura Usher at laurau@nami.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
This introduction to CIT answers some of the common questions that arise when communities first learn about CIT such as, "What is CIT?" "How do I get my law enforcement agency trained?" and "How much does CIT cost?" This FAQ directs readers to resources that can help them get started with CIT and dispels the misconception that CIT is just a training program.
Advocacy Tools
Community Partnerships
This short guide explains the role of community partnerships in a successful CIT program, and offers tips on how to build strong partnerships.
Facts and Information
CIT Facts
This fact sheet features an explanation of CIT’s history and its key components. The fact sheet also includes data on the effectiveness of CIT in helping people with mental illnesses get treatment, and reducing officer injuries, SWAT team emergencies, and wasted time in the disposition of "emotional disturbance" calls.
Criminalization Facts
This fact sheet provides the basic information you will need to argue persuasively that criminalization of people with mental illnesses is costly for communities, a burden on police and corrections, and tragic for people with mental illnesses. It features sections on the high incidence of criminal justice involvement; the burden on corrections and police; and strategies that work to get people effective community services that prevent incarceration.
State Legislation Related to CIT
At present, there is no state law that mandates CIT. However, a few states have taken legislative steps to recognize or fund CIT and other related specialized police training. Please click above to learn about laws in
The Cost of CIT
This guide to understanding the costs of running a CIT program asks readers to consider how partners in the community can contribute most of the needed components for a CIT program.
Media Relations Tools
CIT Talking Points
Whether you're talking to the media, introducing CIT to your local law enforcement agency, or making a convincing argument to your state legislators, advocates need to be prepared to speak clearly and concisely about the importance of CIT.
Grant Writing Tools
Grant Writing Tips for CIT Programs
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for CIT programs interested in searching for and applying for grant funding. The Resources section lists sources for more training in grant writing.
Examples of Successful Grant Applications for CIT
Sometimes it is easiest to learn by example. Read some grant applications that have successfully secured funding for CIT programs.
CIT Grant Writing Templates
These templates are designed to help grant writers applying for CIT funding answer questions that commonly appear on grant applications. You should always tailor these templates to the needs of your program and the requirements of the funder. You should also, whenever possible, include local data and information.
- Describing the Need for CIT
This template is designed to help grant writers answer a question the question: What is the need? What is the nature of the problem? - Program Structure
This template is designed to help grant writers describe the structure of their CIT programs.
Download the full CIT Advocacy Toolkit here.
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