Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT)

Our mission is to prepare law enforcement and other first responders to safely and effectively respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis, and advocate for a crisis system that offers the most effective and least intrusive care for those struggling with mental illness.

Mecklenburg County’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a community-based collaboration between law enforcement, mental health agencies, consumers and their families, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and others. Our program in Mecklenburg County is certified with CIT International, and governed by a multi-disciplinary steering committee.

CIT prioritizes recovery principles and trauma-informed care practices. 

The three core components of CIT are:

  • Intensive training
    Strong collaborative law enforcement-provider partnerships 
  • Significant consumer and family involvement

Program Contacts

Johanna Covault, LCSW
Mecklenburg County Public Health
CIT Coordinator/Licensed Mental Health Clinician
704-619-4496

John Osborn, LCSW
Mecklenburg County Public Health
CIT Coordinator and Veteran Specialist
704-564-3519

Chasity Lambert, LCSW
Health Program Manager
CIT and Hope Programs
980-310-4185

Training Topics

CIT provides a number of training options and tracks designed to meet the ever-changing needs of our police officers and other first responders. Some of the options we offer include:

  • 40-hour CIT Certification Course for Law Enforcement
  • 8-hour CIT Refresher
  • 16-hour VCIT: Specialty Course: Responding to our service veterans 24-hours CIT for Fire
  • 16-hour CIT for Dispatchers/911 Call Takers
  • 16-hours CIT for Security
  • 8-hour CIT for Park Rangers
  • 90-minute CIT Basic Community Course

CIT Step by Step

1. Individual or family member calls 911 for mental health crisis.
2. CIT Officer is dispatched or another responding officer may request a CIT officer respond.
3. CIT Officer utilizes skills including verbal de-escalation, connection, and knowledge of local services and resources to determine how best to assist the individual.
4. Connection made for the individual to the most appropriate level of care or community-based provider.
5. Whenever possible, CIT prioritizes connection to care over arrest, and values our community crisis continuum and the role of our first responders.