Berkeley County is located in the Shenandoah Valley in the eastern panhandle region of West Virginia in the Hagerstown–Martinsburg metropolitan area with a population of 123,283.
Berkeley County aims to establish a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) in collaboration with partners from behavioral health, emergency room services, and crisis hotlines. To ensure round-the-clock coverage, eight law enforcement officers will undergo CIT certification, with two members assigned to each shift, 24/7. Additionally, the project seeks to have an on-call certified therapist available. A CIT-certified coordinator serves as a bridge between law enforcement, legal entities, and mental health agencies, offering support and addressing issues to mitigate the impact of individuals with mental health challenges on these systems. Moreover, the department plans to train 67 law enforcement officers in mental health awareness and response. Cohort 2023.
Program Goals
- Establish a Crisis Intervention Team comprised of law enforcement officers, certified therapists, and a coordinator
- Mitigate the impact of individuals with mental health challenges on various systems, such as law enforcement, legal agencies, and mental health agencies
- Increase mental health awareness and response capabilities among law enforcement officers through training initiatives
Key Partnership Organizations
Berkeley County | First Choice Services