CIT News Briefs - 2020-2022

For more information or to request Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in your community, please contact Kellie Moran, Robert Nelson or Jennifer LaBonte, Justice Clinical Liaisons for Sandhills Center -- 1-800-256-2452.

Sandhills Center cosponsors Advanced CIT training in Lee County

Lee County held an Advanced Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training class on March 21, 2023, at the Emergency Services Training Center of Central Carolina Community College. Sgt. Scott Hair of the Sanford Police Department served as host officer. Chairman Kirk Smith, Lee County Board of County Commissioners, opened the class and presented Lt. S. Dana Elliott, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, with a Certificate of Appreciation for his dedicated service to the citizens of Lee County, North Carolina, and to the success of CIT. Fifteen law enforcement and first responders completed the 8-hour training class. Participants included representatives from the Sanford Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Moore County Public Safety - Cypress Pointe Fire Department, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Moore County Schools Police Department, and Mount Gilead Police Department. Training topics included Working with Veterans/Military PTSD, Suicide Prevention and Intervention and Officer/First Responder Wellness. CIT in Lee County is supported through a partnership between Sandhills Center, the Sanford Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections - Community Supervision, Daymark Recovery Services, Central Carolina Hospital: A Duke LifePoint Hospital, Therapeutic Alternatives, Central Carolina Community College, NAMI - Cumberland, Harnett and Lee Counties, and the Lee County Health Department/LeeCAN. Photo credit: Neil McGowan, Central Carolina Community College

Above: Lee county Advanced CIT graduates - March

Guilford County hosts first CIT class of 2023

Guilford County held the first Crisis Intervention Team training class of 2023 during the week of Feb. 27 - March 3. The training was held at Sandhills Center's Greensboro office with Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department, and Capt. Rachel Juren of the High Point Police Department serving as host officers. Twenty-six students graduated from the 40-hour class. Students came from a variety of agencies including the Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, Guilford Metro 911, Elon Police Department, UNC Greensboro Police Department, and Guilford County Emergency Medical Services. Guilford County CIT is a collaboration between Sandhills Center, NAMI Guilford, Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department and Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC). Photo credit: Heather Odendahl, Sandhills Center

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - February/March 2023

Sandhills Center publishes CIT Year In Review for 2022

Sandhills Center has published its 2022 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Year In Review which details the accomplishments of the training year in the region. It is our way of thanking all of our community partners and participants for their efforts and accomplishments during the past year.

Davidson County is the site of CIT training in December

For the first time since it became part of the Sandhills Center region one year ago, Davidson County hosted CIT training during the week of Dec. 12, 2022. Officer Mackenzie Milaro of the Lexington Police Department served as host officer of the 40-hour class, held at the Lexington Police Department training center. Participants were from the Lexington Police Department, Thomasville Police Department, Davidson EMS, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, Winston-Salem Police Department, Davie County Sheriff’s Office, and Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. CIT training in Davidson County is supported by a large community collaboration including Sandhills Center, the Lexington Police Department, Thomasville Police Department, Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Davidson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Thomasville Fire Department, Novant Health, Davidson-Davie Community College, RHA Health Services, Daymark Recovery Services, and NAMI-Northwest Piedmont. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Davidson County CIT graduates - December 2022

Guilford County hosts its final CIT class of 2022

Guilford County held its final Crisis Intervention Team training of 2022 during the week of Nov. 14. Twenty-four law enforcement officers and first responders graduated from the 40-hour course. They represented the Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, Guilford County Emergency Medical Services, Guilford Metro 911, and the Randolph County Sheriff's Office. Capt. Rachel Juren of the High Point Police Department and Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department served as host officers. Guilford County CIT is cosponsored by Sandhills Center, NAMI-Guilford, Guilford Technical Community College, the Greensboro Police Department, and the High Point Police Department. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - November 2022

Rockingham County hosts CIT training

During the week of Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, 2022, Rockingham County held its first Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in partnership with Sandhills Center. Nineteen law enforcement officers and other first responders graduated from the 40-hour class. Students came from local agencies including the Reidsville Police Department, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Police Department, North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) - Probation and Parole, Eden Police Department, Cone Health Security, Greensboro Police Department, North Carolina State Parks, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. CIT training in Rockingham County is a partnership between Sandhills Center, NAMI – Alamance/Caswell/Rockingham, Rockingham County Health and Human Services, NCDPS Community Corrections, the Reidsville Police Department, Mayodan Police Department, Daymark Recovery Services, Madison Police Department, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Eden Police Department, the Sandhills Center Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC), the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and Rockingham Community College. Host officers for the week of training included: Sgt. Jerry Hacker, Reidsville Police Department; Sgt. Shara Carter, Reidsville Police Department; and Officer Jay Harris, Reidsville Police Department/Fire Marshall. Photo credit: Heather Odendahl, Sandhills Center.

Above: Rockingham County CIT graduates - October/November 2022

Sandhills Center cohosts CIT training in Richmond County

Richmond County held a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training class during the week of October 24, 2022, at Richmond Community College - Cole Auditorium. Officer Jan Owens of the Rockingham Police Department served as host officer. Thirteen law enforcement officers and first responders completed the rigorous 40-hour training course which focuses on helping them improve their responses to individuals who may be experiencing crises related to mental health, substance misuse, or intellectual/developmental disabilities. Participants included representatives of the Rockingham Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Adult Community Corrections, and FirstHealth of the Carolinas Hospital Security. CIT in Richmond County is supported through a partnership between Sandhills Center, the Rockingham Police Department, Hamlet Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Community Corrections, Daymark Recovery Services, Therapeutic Alternatives, Inc. - Mobile Crisis, Richmond Community College, and NAMI - Moore County. Photo credit: George E. Reynolds Jr., NAMI - Moore County.

Above: Richmond County CIT graduates - October 2022

Lee County hosts CIT training in October

Lee County held a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training class during the week of October 10, 2022, at the Emergency Services Training Center of Central Carolina Community College. Sgt. Scott Hair of the Sandford Police Department served as host officer. Fourteen law enforcement officers and first responders completed the 40-hour training course. Participants included representatives of the Sanford Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Greensboro Police Department, FirstHealth of the Carolinas – Chatham County EMS, and Moore County Public Safety – Cypress Pointe Fire Rescue. CIT in Lee County is supported through a partnership between Sandhills Center, the Sanford Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Community Corrections, Daymark Recovery Services, Central Carolina Hospital: A Duke LifePoint Hospital, Therapeutic Alternatives, Central Carolina Community College, NAMI – Cumberland, Harnett & Lee Counties, and the Lee County Health Department/LeeCAN. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Lee County CIT graduates - October 2022

CIT held in Guilford County in September

Guilford County graduated 21 students from Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. The 40-hour class was held the week of Sept. 19, and hosted by Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department and Capt. Rachel Juren of the High Point Police Department. Students represented the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Guilford County Emergency Medical Services, Guilford Metro 911, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Guilford County CIT is supported through a partnership among NAMI Guilford, the Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Guilford Technical Community College, and Sandhills Center. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - September 2022

Sandhills Center cosponsors CIT in Moore County

Moore County held its second Crisis Intervention Team training class of 2022 during the week of September 12, 2022 at Sandhills Community College. Moore County CIT is supported through a partnership between Sandhills Center, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Sandhills Community College, Moore County Emergency Medical Services, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, and NAMI-Moore County. Sixteen first responders completed the 40-hour training course. Participants included representatives of the Aberdeen Police Department, FirstHealth of the Carolinas Hospital Security, Greensboro Police Department, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Pines Police Department, and Whispering Pines Police Department. Photo credit: George E. Reynolds Jr., NAMI-Moore County.

Above: Moore County CIT graduates - September 2022

CIT training held in Hoke County in August

During the week of August 1, 2022, Sandhills Center cosponsored a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training in Hoke County. Twenty-one members of several law enforcement and first responder agencies within Hoke County graduated from the 40-hour training program, held at Sandhills Community College - Hoke Campus. Lt. Jennifer Lewis of the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office served as host officer. Participants represented the following first responder agencies: FirstHealth of the Carolinas Hospital Security, Hoke County Emergency Medical Services, Hoke County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina Department of Public Safety – Community Supervision, Raeford Police Department, and Southern Pines Police Department. CIT in Hoke County is sponsored by Sandhills Center, Cape Fear Valley Hospital, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Daymark Recovery Services, Hoke County Emergency Medical Services, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office, NAMI- Cumberland Harnett & Lee Counties, NAMI-Moore County, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Raeford Police Department, Sandhills Community College, and Therapeutic Alternatives Inc. Photo credit George E. Reynolds Jr., NAMI-Moore County.

Above: Hoke County CIT graduates - August 2022

Montgomery County is site of CIT training in July

During the week of July 25, 2022, Montgomery County hosted Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for 10 law enforcement officers and other first responders. CIT is a rigorous 40-hour class that teaches first responders skills they need when working with individuals who are experiencing mental illness or other behavioral health problems. Students represented FirstHealth Emergency Medical Services, FirstHealth Security, and the Greensboro Police Department. Sgt. James Lewellen of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office served as host officer. CIT in Montgomery County is cosponsored by Sandhills Center, Daymark Recovery Services, Therapeutic Alternatives Inc., FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Montgomery Community College, NAMI-Moore County, and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Photo credit: Stacey Kerney, CIT Volunteer.

Above: Montgomery County CIT graduates - July 2022

Randolph County hosts CIT training

During the week of June 27, 2022, Sandhills Center cohosted a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training class in Randolph County, NC. There were 24 participants, representing the following first responder agencies: the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Randolph County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Asheboro Police Department, and the Greensboro Police Department. Scotty Kidd of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety-Community Supervision served as host officer. CIT in Randolph County is cosponsored by Sandhills Center, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Randolph Community College, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, and Daymark Recovery Services. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Above: Randolph County CIT graduates - June 2022

CIT training held in Harnett County

During the week of June 13, 2022, Harnett County hosted Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for 17 law enforcement officers and other first responders. CIT is a rigorous 40-hour class that teaches first responders skills they need when working with individuals experiencing mental illness or other behavioral health problems. Students represented the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, the Dunn Police Department, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety-Probation and Parole, and Harnett County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Lt. Scott Jeffries of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office served as host officer. CIT training in Harnett County is a partnership of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, the Dunn Police Department, Harnett County EMS, Central Carolina Community College, Daymark Recovery Services, Good Hope Hospital, Therapeutic Alternatives - Mobile Crisis, Sandhills Center, and NAMI-Cumberland, Harnett & Lee. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Harnett County CIT graduates - June 2022

Sandhills Center cosponsors CIT training in Guilford County

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training was held in Guilford County the week of April 25, 2022. There were 25 graduates, representing Guilford Metro 911, the Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, Guilford County Emergency Medical Services, and the Person County Sheriff's Office 40-hour training was held at the Greensboro Police Department Maple Street Substation. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department and Lt. Rachel Juren of the High Point Police Department served as host officers. Guilford County CIT is a collaboration between Guilford Technical Community College, NAMI Guilford, the Greensboro Police, High Point Police Department, and Sandhills Center. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - April 2022

CIT training held in Guilford County

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training was held in Guilford County the week of Feb. 28, 2022. Participants were from the Greensboro Police Department, the High Point Police Department, the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, Guilford Metro 911, the Duke University Police Department, and the Carrboro Police Department. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department served as host officer. Guilford County CIT is supported by Sandhills Center, NAMI-Guilford, the Greensboro Police Department, the High Point Police Department, and Guilford Technical Community College. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - February 2022

Sandhills Center cosponsors UNC System CIT training

In conjunction with the University of North Carolina System, Sandhills Center, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Samarcand Training Academy, Sandhills Community College, and NAMI-Moore County offered Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training during the week of December 13, 2021. The training was held at the Samarcand Training Academy in Moore County. There were 12 officers representing police departments from Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, and Winston Salem State University. Law enforcement officers from the Whispering Pines Police Department and security officers from FirstHealth of the Carolinas also participated. Captain S.C. Dedona of the UNC Greensboro Police Department served as host officer. Photo credit: George E. Reynolds Jr., NAMI-Moore County.

Above: UNC System CIT graduates - December 2021

Randolph County hosts November 2021 CIT training

Sandhills Center cosponsored Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in Randolph County during the week of Nov. 15, 2021. Scotty Kidd of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Community Corrections served as host officer. There were 25 participants, representing the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, the NC Department of Public Safety-Probation and Parole, the High Point Police Department, the Greensboro Police Department, and the NC State Bureau of Investigations. CIT in Randolph County is a partnership between Sandhills Center, the NC Department of Probation and Parole, Daymark Recovery Services, the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, and Randolph Community College. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Randolph County CIT graduates - November 2021

CIT Training held in Guilford County in November 2021

Guilford County held Crisis Intervention (CIT) training the week of Nov. 1, 2021. Students came from a number of agencies including the Greensboro Police Department, the High Point Police Department, High Point Park Rangers, the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the Davie County Sheriff, the Roxboro Police Department, and the Statesville Police Department. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department served as host officer. Guilford County CIT is supported by Sandhills Center, NAMI-Guilford, the Greensboro Police Department, the High Point Police Department, and Guilford Technical Community College. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - November 2021

Lee County is site of CIT training in October

A 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training program was held at Central Carolina Community College in Lee County during the week of October 18-22, 2021. Fifteen law enforcement officers graduated from the course. They represented the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Sanford Police Department and the Greensboro Police Department. Sgt. Patrick Carroll of the Sanford Police Department served as host officer. Lee County CIT is a partnership between Sandhills Center, Central Carolina Community College, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Sanford Police Department, Therapeutic Alternatives, Central Carolina Hospital, and NAMI-Cumberland, Harnett and Lee Counties. Photo credit: Robert Nelson, Sandhills Center

Above: Lee County CIT graduates - October 2021

CIT held in Richmond County

Richmond County hosted Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training during the week of Oct. 11, 2021. Officer Jan Owens, a graduate of a previous Richmond County CIT class, served as host officer. Twenty law enforcement and first responders participated, representing the Rockingham Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, the Greensboro Police Department, FirstHealth Security, and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety-Probation and Parole. CIT in Richmond County is a partnership between Sandhills Center, NAMI-Moore County, the Rockingham Police Department, the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, the Hamlet Police Department, the NC Department of Public Safety, FirstHealth and Richmond Community College. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Richmond County CIT graduates - October 2021

Moore County hosts September 2021 CIT class

Crisis Intervention Team training was held in Moore County during the week of September 13, 2021. Host officer for the 40-hour class was Sgt. Todd Maness of the Moore County Sheriff's Office. Participants were from FirstHealth of the Carolinas Security, the Moore County Sheriff's Office, the Aberdeen Police Department and the Greensboro Police Department. CIT in Moore County is a partnership between Sandhills Community College, NAMI-Moore County, the Moore County Sheriff's Office, Moore County Schools, Aberdeen Police Department, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, and Sandhills Center. Photo credit: George E. Reynolds Jr., NAMI-Moore County.

Above: Moore County CIT graduates -- September 2021

Lee County is site of Advanced CIT class

The Sanford Police Department hosted an Advanced Crisis Intervention Team training class on August 10, 2021, at Central Carolina Community College. Capt. Greg Deck of the Sanford Police Department served as host officer. The detailed training covered advanced topics including responding to military veterans in crisis, suicide intervention and self care for first responders. Commissioner Kirk Smith opened the class and presented Capt. Deck with a certificate of appreciation for the many years he has served as CIT host officer in Lee County. Students came from the Sanford Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Dunn Police Department, Harnett County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Probation and Parole. CIT in Lee County is a partnership of the Sanford Police Department; NAMI Cumberland, Harnett and Lee; the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Therapeutic Alternatives; Central Carolina Hospital; and Sandhills Center. Photo credits: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Capt. Greg Deck (above, right) is honored by Lee County Commissioner Kirk Smith during the August 2021 Lee County Advanced CIT training course.

Above: Lee County Advanced CIT training graduates from the Sanford Police Department -- August 2021

Above: Lee County Advanced CIT training graduates from the Lee County Sheriff's Office -- August 2021

Above: Lee County Advanced CIT training graduates from the Dunn Police Department -- August 2021

Above: Lee County Advanced CIT training graduates from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Probation and Parole -- August 2021

Above: Lee County Advanced CIT training graduates from the Harnett County Sheriff's Office - August 2021

CIT Training held in Anson County in August

Sandhills Center is proud to have cosponsored Crisis Intervention Team Training in Anson County during the week of August 23, 2021. Fourteen members of several law enforcement agencies and Anson and surrounding counties graduated from the 40-hour training program, held at South Piedmont Community College in Wadesboro. Participants were officers and deputies representing the Anson County Sheriff's Office, Monroe Police Department, North Carolina Department of Public Safety-Probation and Parole, the Union County Sheriff's Office and the Wadesboro Police Department. Lt. Steven Kelly of the Wadesboro Police Department served as host officer. Anson County CIT is cosponsored through a partnership between Sandhills Center, NAMI-Moore County, Daymark Recovery Services, Atrium Health, Therapeutic Alternatives, South Piedmont Community College and the Wadesboro Police Department. Photo credit: George E. Reynolds Jr., NAMI-Moore County.

(Above) Anson County CIT graduates - July 2021

Montgomery County hosts CIT training

During the week of July 26, 2021, Montgomery County hosted Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for 15 law enforcement officers and other first responders. CIT is a rigorous 40-hour class that teaches first responders skills they need when working with individuals who are experiencing mental illness or other behavioral health problems. Students represented FirstHealth Emergency Medical Services, FirstHealth Security, the Greensboro Police Department, Star Police Department, and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Capt. James Kerney of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office served as host officer. CIT in Montgomery County is cosponsored by Sandhills Center, Daymark Recovery Services, Therapeutic Alternatives, FirstHealth, Montgomery Community College, NAMI-Moore County, and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Photo credit: Stacy Kerney.

(Above) Montgomery County CIT graduates - July 2021

CIT training held in Harnett County

Harnett County hosted Crisis Intervention Team training during the week of June 21-25, 2021. Twenty-one officers participated, representing the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, Dunn Police Department and the North Carolina State Capital Police Department. Lt. Scott Jeffries of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office served as host officer. CIT training in Harnett County is a partnership of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, the Dunn Police Department, Harnett County Emergency Medical Services, Central Carolina Community College, Daymark Recovery Services, Good Hope Hospital, Therapeutic Alternatives - Mobile Crisis, Sandhills Center and NAMI-Cumberland, Harnett, Lee. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

(Above) Harnett County Sheriff's Office CIT graduates - June 2021

CIT class held for campus law enforcement officers throughout NC

In conjunction with the University of North Carolina System, Sandhills Center, the NC Department of Public Safety Samarcand Training Academy, Sandhills Community College and NAMI-Moore County offered Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training June 7-11, 2021, for university police from across the state. The training was held at the Samarcand Training Academy in Moore County. There were 20 officers representing police departments from Western Carolina University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, Appalachian State University, Fayetteville State University, Elizabeth City State University and NC Central University. Representatives from the Greensboro Police Department also participated. Capt. S.C. Dedona and Sgt. R. Goins of the UNC Greensboro Police Department served as host officers. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Above: UNC System CIT graduates - June 2021

Guilford County hosts CIT Training in May 2021

Guilford County hosted its third Crisis Intervention Team training class of the year May 24-28, 2021. There were 24 students who graduated, representing area agencies including the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, High Point Park Rangers, NC A&T State University Campus Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, the NC Department of Public Safety - Probation and Parole, Stokes County Sheriff's Office, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, and the Asheboro Police Department. CIT training in Guilford County is cosponsored by Sandhills Center, NAMI-Guilford and the Greensboro Police Department. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department served as host officer. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates -- May 2021

CIT training held in Guilford County

Sandhills Center cosponsored Crisis Intervention (CIT) team training in Guilford County April 26-30, 2021. This was the second Guilford County CIT training program of 2021. There were 21 participants representing nine law enforcement agencies including the Asheboro Police Department, Alamance County Sheriff's Office, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office, Chapel Hill Police Department, Eden Police Department, Jones County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina A&T State University Police Department, NC Department of Public Safety-Probation and Parole, and the Greensboro Police Department. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro PD served as host officer. Guilford County CIT is made possible by a partnership between Sandhills Center, NAMI-Guilford, the Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, the Guilford County Sheriff's Office and Guilford Technical Community College. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center.

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - April 2021

Sandhills Center, community partners host UNC System CIT training

Sandhills Center -- in conjunction with the University of North Carolina System, the NC Department of Public Safety Samarcand Training Academy, Sandhills Community College, and NAMI-Moore County -- recently held Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for university police from across the state. The training was held March 15-19, 2021, at the Samarcand Training Academy in Moore County. In attendance were 20 officers representing campus police departments from Western Carolina University, UNC Charlotte, Appalachian State University, UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington, Fayetteville State University, Winston-Salem State University and Elizabeth City State University. Sgt. Michelle Goins and Capt. S.C. Dedona, both of the UNC Greensboro Police Department, served as host officers. This 32-hour class was made possible through a partnership Sandhills Center forged with other state Local Management Entities-Managed Care Organizations in North Carolina including Alliance Health, Vaya Health, Cardinal Innovations, Trillium Health and Eastpointe. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Above: UNC System CIT training graduates -- March 2021

Sandhills Center hosts first CIT training class of 2021

Guilford County was the site of the Sandhills Center region's first Crisis Intervention Team training class of 2021, held the week of February 15-19. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department served as host officer, and 21 participants represented the following agencies: Greensboro PD, Eden PD, Asheboro PD, Chapel Hill PD, Whiteville PD, High Point PD, the North Carolina Deparment of Public Safety - Probation and Parole, the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, and the NC State Park Rangers. Guilford County CIT training is a partnership between Sandhills Center, NAMI Guilford, Greensboro PD, High Point PD, the Guilford County Sheriff's Office and Guilford Technical Community College. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Above: Guilford County CIT graduates - February 2021

Sandhills Center publishes CIT training 2020 Year In Review

Sandhills Center has published a report that highlights the year of Crisis Intervention Team training in our region. You can read it here.

Randolph County is site of final CIT training class for 2020

During the week of Nov. 16, 2020, in Randolph County, Sandhills Center cohosted the final Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training class of the year. CIT is sponsored by Sandhills Center in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Randolph Community College and NAMI. Scotty Kidd with the NC Department of Public Safety Community Corrections served as host officer. The 40-hour class graduated 25 participants, representing the Asheboro Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Department of Public Safety Community Corrections and Randolph County 911. Photo credits: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Below: Randolph County CIT graduates -- November 2020

Asheboro Police Department

Greensboro Police Department

High Point Police Department

Randolph County 911

North Carolina Department of Public Safety Community Corrections (Randolph County)

Moore County CIT Training held in November 2020

Moore County held its second Crisis Intervention Team training class of 2020 during the week of November 2. Moore County CIT is supported through a partnership between Sandhills Center, the Moore County Sheriff's Office, Sandhills Community College, Moore County Emergency Medical Services, FirstHealth of the Carolinas and NAMI-Moore County. Host officers included Lt. Bryan Monroe and Sgt. Todd Maness of the Moore County Sheriff's Office and Joseph Wincklhofer of Moore County EMS. Eleven first responders completed the 40-hour training course. Participants included representatives of the Pinehurst Police Department, Moore County Schools Police Department, Hamlet Police Department, Asheboro Police Department, First Health of the Carolinas and the NC Department of Public Safety. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Moore County CIT graduates - November 2020

Sandhills Center cosponsors CIT training in Guilford County

Guilford County held Crisis Intervention Team Training during the week of Oct. 5-9. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department served as host officer for the 40-hour class. There were 21 students representing the Greensboro Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, High Point Police Department, Spencer Police Department, Randolph County Sheriff's Office, UNCG Police Department, NC A&T State University Police Department and the Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) Police Department. CIT is a partnership between Sandhills Center, NAMI-Guilford, GTCC and the Greensboro Police Department. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Guilford County CIT graduates - October 2020

Moore County hosts CIT in September 2020

Moore County held its first CIT class of 2020 during the week of Sept. 14, 2020. Moore County CIT is supported through a partnership between Sandhills Center, the Moore County Sheriff's Office, Sandhills Community College, Moore County EMS, FirstHealth of the Carolinas and NAMI-Moore County. Host officers included Lt. Bryan Monroe and Sgt. Todd Maness of the Moore County Sheriff's Office. Twenty first responders completed the 40-hour training course. Participants included representatives of the Moore County Sheriff's Office (patrol, detention, investigations, animal control services and the 911 center), the Pinehurst Police Department, Moore County Schools Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Cape Fear Valley Mobile Integrated Health and the Rockfish Fire Department. Photo credit: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Moore County CIT graduates - August 2020

Sandhills Center cosponsors CIT training in Lee County

A 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training program was held at Central Carolina Community College during the week of August 17-21, 2020, with 21 officers graduating from the course. Participants represented the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Sanford Police Department, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety/Probation and Parole, and the Greensboro Police Department. Capt. Tony Hancox (Ret.) served as host officer. Lee County CIT is a partnership between Sandhills Center, Central Carolina Community College, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Sanford Police Department and Central Carolina Hospital. Photo credits: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Greensboro Police Department/Lee County CIT graduates - August 2020

Lee County Sheriff's Office/Lee County CIT graduates - August 2020

Sanford Police Department/Lee County CIT graduates - August 2020

NC DPS Probation & Parole/Lee County CIT graduate - August 2020

Randolph County hosts CIT training in August

During the week of August 3, 2020, Randolph County hosted Crisis Intervention Team training for 19 law enforcement officers. Students represented the North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Community Corrections, Asheboro Police Department, and Randolph County Sheriff's Office. Scotty Kidd of the Department of Public Safety Community Corrections served as host officer for the 40-hour class. CIT in Randolph County is cosponsored by Sandhills Center, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and Randolph Community College. Photo credits: Kellie Moran, Sandhills Center

Asheboro Police Department/Randolph County CIT graduates - August 2020

NC Department of Public Safety/ Randolph County CIT graduates - August 2020

Randolph County Sheriff's Office/Randolph County CIT graduates - August 2020

Sandhills Center resumes CIT training in the region

During the week of July 27, 2020, Montgomery County hosted 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Team training for 24 law enforcememnt officers and other first responders. Students represented the Asheboro Police Department, FirstHealth EMS, FirstHealth Security, the Greensboro Police Department, the Mt. Gilead Police Department, North Carolina Department of Public Safety Probation/Parole (Montgomery County) and the Troy Police Department. Det. Sgt. James Kerney of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office served as host officer. CIT in Montgomery County is cosponsored by Sandhills Center, Daymark Recovery Services, Therapeutic Alternatives, FirstHealth, Montgomery Community College, NAMI-Moore County and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. This was the first class of CIT to resume in the Sandhills Center region since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Many classes throughout the region have been postponed or rescheduled, however based on the success of the Montgomery County class, Sandhills Center is confident that instruction can continue successfully with the proper protocols in place. Instructors, participants and cosponsors took necessary safety and health precautions as prescribed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as local health authorites. Photo credit: Robert Nelson, Sandhills Center

Montgomery County CIT graduates - July 2020

CIT for EMS training held in Guilford County

Guilford County recently hosted the first CIT training of the new year for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Nine Guilford County paramedics graduated from the 32-hour class that was held March 2-5 at Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC). Hosting partners included NAMI-Guilford, Guilford County EMS, GTCC and Sandhills Center. Katie Bowers, a paramedic with Guilford County EMS, served as the host officer. Additional CIT for EMS classes are planned for later this year in Guilford and Moore counties within the Sandhills Center region. Photo credit: Heather Odendahl, Sandhills Center

Guilford County EMS CIT training gratuates - March 2020

Guilford County hosts first CIT training of 2020

Guilford County held the first Crisis Intervention (CIT) training class for 2020 during the week of Feb. 17. This was one of the largest classes Sandhills Center has ever cosponsored. There were 27 graduates, representing the UNCG Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, NC A&T Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, Mayodan Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Office, High Point Park Rangers, Guilford Metro 911, and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Probation and Parole. This also is the first time park rangers have participated in CIT in the Sandhills Center region. Lt. Holly Pate of the Greensboro Police Department and Sgt. Beth Buskirk of the Guilford County Sheriff's Office served as host officers. CIT in Guilford County is a collaboration between the Greensboro Police Department, Guilford County Sheriff's Office, NAMI-Guilford, Guilford Technical Community College and Sandhills Center. Photo credit: Heather Odendahl, Sandhills Center

Guilford County CIT graduates - February 2020