For more than 25 years, crisis intervention teams (CIT) have helped local communities come together to improve interactions between police and people living with psychiatric disabilities. The goal of these programs is safer encounters between police and individuals in crisis, give police tools to respond to crisis situations and link people to mental health services. CIT programs also ensure better coordination between law enforcement agencies, mental health providers and other service providers, and individuals and families. While CIT may not be a perfect fit to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it does provide lessons for the IDD community on how to partner with law enforcement. Ms. Usher will share lessons on how to partner with police and build a sustainable change in local communities to address the needs of people with disabilities.

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