THE IMPACT OF JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAMS
Individuals with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders are significantly over-represented in the criminal justice system. In 2007, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) began collaborating with local law enforcement agencies to provide funding and assistance with the development of local Jail Diversion projects to better address challenges facing community members impacted by behavioral health challenges. Over the years, these programs have redirected countless individuals from the criminal justice system and connected them to more appropriate assessment and treatment resources.
The importance of a cross system approach was further reinforced with the establishment of Training & Technical Assistance Centers (TTAC) across the State. Working collaboratively with Police Departments TTAC’s provide valuable training, including Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, and serve as resource of best practice interventions.
In the video below, Somerville Police Department’s, Deputy Chief Christopher Ward, and Jail Diversion Clinician, Cheryl Delafano, along with numerous Police Departments across the State speak on the benefits of such a program. The second video features Worcester Police Department's CIT program and reviews the importance and impact of CIT. Be sure to check them both out!
Metro Boston CIT-TTAC’s partnership with Improv Asylum featured in Officer Magazine
Metro Boston’s continued partnership throughout the years with Improv Asylum was the highlight for the November/December 2023 issue of Officer Magazine! The collaboration expanded to the Advanced De-escalation & Documentation two day class, which further enhances tactical and verbal de-escalation skills. The partnership, first featured on Improv’s website, was highlighted in the November/December issues of Officer Magazine. Click here to read the full article: Improv as a Training Tool.
AUTISM EATS
On Tuesday, November 14th 2023, the Somerville Police Department and the Community Outreach, Help & Recovery (COHR) unit partnered with Autism Eats to host a very special Friendsgiving Dinner at Mount Vernon Restaurant! Everyone had the opportunity to meet and greet their Public Safety Officers. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and City Counselor Kristen Strezo stopped by for the festivities as well. Special guest, Sasha the Comfort Dog from Harvard University also joined in the fun. Together everyone enjoyed a judgement free relaxing meal with their loved ones.
Autism Eats is a non-profit organization that aims to provide families of children diagnosed with Autism with an enjoyable night out with no judgement and low stress. Children with any developmental challenge are also welcome. To learn more about other Autism Eats events including special Holiday themed dinners, visit their website at: https://www.autismeats.org/
NATIONAL TAKE BACK DAY
Every year, twice a year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) works with police Departments across the country to host a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday, October 28th, the Somerville Fire Department, Police Department and the Community Outreach, Help & Recovery Unit (COHR) participated with bags of resources and Narcan both in the Police Station and out in the community. National Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Visit the Resources page on the website to learn more about State and Local Resources available in your community.
Beyond the Call Of Duty
Congratulations to Cheryl Delafano of the COHR program for her Beyond the Call of Duty award! Cheryl, a Jail Diversion Coordinator embedded in the Somerville Police Department, was recognized for her fast acting communication and collaboration skills on August 15, 2023. Upon realizing a medically distressed community member outside of the Police Department, Cheryl immediately informed Officers who along with EMT were able to provide prompt medical care. The combined efforts of all involved resulted in the individual receiving life saving measures. "Their actions exemplify the long history of dedication to duty and professionalism within the Somerville Police Department”.
The COHR Solution: A Community Response to a Fragmented System
On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, COHR held a special viewing of “The COHR Solution: A Community Response to a Fragmented System” at the Somerville Theatre. Following the showing, a panel of professionals from Cambridge Health Alliance, NAMI MA, North Charles Foundation, Call 2 Talk and the Somerville Police Department was present to discuss local service providers and public safety. Individuals from over a dozen agencies attended to learn more about the various ways public safety and public health continue to partner. The panel also discussed the new state initiative “RoadMaps to Health,” as well as the 988 support hotline. Watch the panel discussion below.
This documentary explores the challenges of accessing care in the current healthcare system. It highlights the positive impact that an embedded clinical unit, within a Police Department, can have in addressing social determinants of health. Specifically how a follow up and after care model addresses current gaps in service and supports individuals through their journey in accessing resources to improve quality of life.
Moderator: Patty Contente, Director, Community Outreach, Help & Recovery, Metro Boston CIT-TTAC and the panel includes:
Behavioral Health: Joan Taglieri, Sr. Director, Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance; Anne Whitman, Peer Leader, Recovery Coach Supervisor
988: Eileen Davis, Vice President, MASS 211, Director, Call2Talk; Monica Luke NAMI MA
Addiction: Janice Kauffman, Vice President, Addiction Treatment Services, North Charles Foundation, Inc.; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Somerville Police Department: Captain James Donovan; Officer Mark McLaughlin
Metro Boston CIT-TTAC partners with Improv Asylum!
Metro Boston has partnered with countless organizations to enhance training and highlight local resources available for our police partners. For the last two years, we have worked with Improv Asylum to strengthen the Crisis Negotiation and De-escalation portion of CIT. Read below to see the impact this partnership has had.
“Over the past twenty-plus years, Improv Asylum’s training division has worked with every type of group imaginable, and we have helped teams find their mojo across just about every industry. Groups from Finance, Legal, HR, C Suite leadership, New Hires, MBA programs and from college freshmen to military veterans and service members and from non-profits, start-ups, leading educational institutions to Fortune 50 companies, there aren’t too many that we have not positively impacted.
CIT Officers in training, seen here are practicing applying their knowledge and expertise to de-escalate a distressed individual played by Improv’s Corey Rodrigues.
Some of the most rewarding work we have ever experienced is in the public safety and law enforcement arena. And to that end, our involvement with the great work of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program. The CIT program is an innovative community partnership between law enforcement, mental health professionals, addiction specialists, individuals impacted by Behavioral Health, and their advocates. In addition to increasing positive community relationships, CIT training has been proven to reduce the severity and frequency of tragic incidents for both law enforcement and community members. CIT programs equip departments to more efficiently utilize criminal justice resources, increase crisis response time, and increase officer confidence.
Improv’s Misch Whitaker plays a community member impacted by mental illness who frequently calls police for non-emergency matters, allowing officers to further strengthen their assessment skills.
The full day of crisis negotiation skills and de-escalation, including realistic role-play, helps cement the knowledge acquired and allows a space for officers and professionals to incorporate what they are learning.
Our performers and instructors depict real-life scenarios, scenarios that public safety workers will likely face in their day-to-day responsibilities. The CIT training program gives those folks, already burdened in a high-stress environment, the ability to effectively handle situations that may arise by having prior “experience” in how best to diffuse, de-escalate and reduce any harm that Law Enforcement and Mental Health professionals, and those that they are interacting with, may face.”
Visit Improv’s website to see the full blog: Improv Asylum
CIT Officers in training de-escalate a Domestic situation involving an individual impacted by Behavioral Health played by Improv staff.
Metro Boston CIT-TTAC Director Awarded Commonwealth Heroine of Massachusetts Award!
Patty Contente, Director of Somerville Police Department’s Community Outreach, Help & Recovery Unit and Metro Boston CIT-TTAC was awarded the Commonwealth Heroines of Massachusetts Award. Patty nominated by Senator Patricia Jehlen and recognized for her outreach and harm reduction efforts with individuals living with homelessness, mental illness and addiction. She has also successfully diverted numerous individuals away from the criminal justice system and into treatment.
See the full list of winner here: 18th Annual Commonwealth Heroines of Massachusetts.
Congratulations Patty Contente!
CIT Training In The Field!
Journalist Joy Hosford from Wicked Local recently interviewed Metro Boston CIT trained Officer Gil Ynostrozan who shared his thoughts on the importance and impact of CIT Training which he regularly uses with Billerica community members in crisis.
"It was eye-opening," Ynostroza said in February. "Not having any background in that information I was able to learn how to deal with people in crisis, instead of just getting them to the hospital, and checking off a box."
A member of the department for the last six years, Ynostroza said the police academy introduces the topic of crisis intervention but doesn't go as deep as the CIT training. "It is well worth it," said Ynostroza, adding he has been able to deescalate several situations involving erratic behavior and threats of suicide through calm conversation and engagement. "I am able to speak to the individual and understand what is going on. When you get to know them at a personal level, there is a better outcome."
Officer Ynostroza completed CIT training in March 2020.
Read the full article here: Wicked Local
Chief Edward Walsh and members of the Taunton Police Department, in conjunction with the SEMLEC Critical Incident Stress Management/Peer Support Team, created their own video, to publish, in an effort to bring awareness to this crisis.
