CIT-NJ Center of Excellence Hosts its first Forum
On December 7, 2015, The CIT-NJ Center of Excellence held its first state-wide fo
rum. More than 150 law enforcement officers, mental health providers, community providers, and state officials convened at the NJ Law Center in New Brunswick to partake in the forum. Guest speakers included Ret. Major Sam Cochran, founder of CIT, Gene Lawrence, Alliance Healthcare Services, Dr. Amy White, University of Illinois at Chicago, Tim Clement from The Scattergood Foundation, Capt. Jonathan Parham, Linden Police Dept., Steve Fishbein, NJ DMHAS, Phil Lubitz, NAMI NJ, and Azule Haywood, MHASWNJ Being There program. Topics presented were, “CIT and The Community,” “What the Research Tells Us about CIT,” “One 
Stop Shop Crisis Continuum,” “Measuring how CIT-NJ Efforts are Making a Difference,” and “Verbal De-escalation.” Ed Dobleman, Director of CIT-NJ, commented, “This has been a great opportunity for those involved in the CIT program in New Jersey. It has allowed those involved in CIT and those thinking of bringing the program to their communities a chance to interact, share information, network, and collaborate to expand the program.” He added that he hopes this is a yearly event and that the momentum of CIT continues to grow throughout the state.
