Alton, part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Illinois, is situated on the Mississippi River with a population of approximately 26,000 people
To enhance the current Crisis Intervention Team programming, the Alton Police Department (APD), in collaboration with Sacred Spaces of CARE, is spearheading the Restorative Intervention Support Efforts (RISE) initiative. Sacred Spaces of CARE, a local nonprofit, plans to work hand in hand with the department to foster collaborative, trauma-informed practices aimed at educating, empowering, and providing appropriate support for crisis situations. The introduction of RISE marks a shift for CIT towards a more holistic, evidence-based approach to addressing prevalent mental health needs. By integrating behavioral health expertise with law enforcement, the initiative seeks to cultivate a safer and more resilient community.
Under this partnership, CIT coordination intends to be a joint endeavor, informed by comprehensive needs assessments and the adoption of best practices. Tools such as the Trauma-Informed Organizational Self-Assessment and the Police-Mental Health Collaboration Self-Assessment Tool is utilized to evaluate internal departmental policies, identify areas for improvement, and design actionable strategies. Internally, the department plans to conduct trauma-informed mental health education sessions to equip staff, including dispatchers and officers, with the necessary tools and techniques.
Moreover, the RISE initiative aims to introduce a tailored crisis response model that integrates CIT principles with co-response strategies, while also facilitating access to follow-up services and community resources for individuals and families in crisis. By leveraging the Sequential Intercept Model alongside community partners, the initiative seeks to gather and analyze data to inform decision-making throughout the project implementation, measure progress, and assess the impact of interventions on the community. Cohort 2023.
Program Goals
- Broaden the existing CIT programming
- Create the Restorative Intervention Support Efforts (RISE) initiative in partnership with Sacred Spaces of CARE
- Work collaboratively with Sacred Spaces of CARE to implement trauma-informed practices
- Educate and equip department staff, including dispatch and officers, with strategies and tools related to trauma-informed care and mental health
- Utilize the Sequential Intercept Model (SAMHSA) and data from community partners to guide decision-making throughout the project, measure progress, and evaluate effectiveness, and document impactTop of Form
Key Partnership Organizations
Alton Police Department | Sacred Spaces of CARE
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Alton Police Department receives $400,000 grant for community policing (thetelegraph.com)
“This CIT grant is going to greatly facilitate our community outreach efforts. Just in the first few months of our partnership (with Sacred Spaces of CARE) and without funding, we have seen great successes in helping those in crisis and referring them to appropriate area resources. This will only bolster those efforts and help us proactively assist even more of those in need in our community.” (The Telegraph, Nov 8, 2023)
Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford
“I am truly excited to hear the news that the Alton Police Department has been awarded $400,000 from the federal office of Community Oriented Policing Services. This funding will go a long way to advance the department’s cause to help those who are less fortunate as it will provide direct assistance and support to those in crisis through the Alton Police Department’s community outreach efforts in partnership with Megan Tyler and Sacred Spaces of Care.” (The Telegraph, Nov 8, 2023)
Alton Mayor David Goins