Florida Sheriffs Association receives $150,000 grant for crisis intervention team training
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Sheriffs Association announced that Simply Healthcare Plans collaborated with Carelon Behavioral Health to grant $150,000 to the association’s crisis intervention team training program.
The crisis intervention team training is a law enforcement response program created for first responders who handle crisis calls involving people with mental illness including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, according to the sheriff’s association.
“We are so thankful for Simply Healthcare Plans and Carelon Behavioral Health’s support that has helped us provide these training opportunities to ensure the safety of our deputies and members of the public,” Florida Sheriffs Association President and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said.
The sheriffs association said the partnership with the two groups “ensures that deputies can safely assess and interact with persons with mental illness in a crisis situation.”
“Cases of mental illness and substance abuse happen every day, and it is essential our law enforcement officers are equipped with the proper tools to de-escalate crisis situations to keep everyone involved safe,” Leeper said.
The sheriffs association said with this grant, the association will provide “Crisis Intervention Team Train-the-Coordinator” sessions across Florida with a focus on rural communities to increase the number of certified Crisis Intervention Team coordinators.
The association said through the “Crisis Intervention Team Train-the-Coordinator sessions,” at least 35 officers will complete the crisis intervention coordinator training certificate by the end of this year.
“Our partnership with the Florida Sheriffs Association and Carelon Behavioral Health is equipping law enforcement officers with the essential tools and training to effectively respond to mental health crises with care and efficiency,” Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Simply Healthcare Plans Cristy Castaneda said.
Crisis intervention team training emphasizes a partnership between law enforcement, the mental health and substance abuse treatment system, mental health advocacy groups, and consumers of mental health services and their families, according to the sheriffs association.
“Crisis Intervention Training is a key component to helping law enforcement officers identify the symptoms of behavioral health challenges and connect individuals to care,” President and Chief Executive Officer of Carelon Behavioral Health Glenn MacFarlane said.
