SUMMARY 
Providing statewide training for law enforcement, first responders, caregivers, and people with mental health disorders and disabilities to reduce unwarranted physical use of force incidents and reduce the number of people with mental health disorders and disabilities being arrested and imprisoned

BACKGROUND
Many individuals find their way into the competency restoration system due to an adverse interaction with law enforcement, first responders, or caregivers.  Individuals with a mental health disorder or disability may perceive a routine interaction with an officer as a trigger of previous trauma or as a threat and may respond with behavior amounting to a criminal offense.  This training is designed to help both professionals and caregivers understand how they might be perceived by people with disabilities or a mental health disorder and to alter their respondent-approach strategies to reduce the risk of an adverse interaction.  Training will also be offered to potential respondents to help build awareness of when they are being triggered.

ELEMENTS
Development of a ‘train the trainer’ curriculum; production of training materials; 310 eight-hour training sessions to law enforcement; 152 training sessions for self-advocates and caregivers; and participant surveys

PROGRAM STAFF
Director of Development and Training, Mental Health Lead, Program Coordinator, Program Support Staff


ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
Decrease in individuals charged with crimes related to adverse interactions between responder and respondent, and a decrease in individuals who require admittance to the state hospital for competency restoration

STANDOUT ASPECTS
Given the prevalence of individuals waiting to be restored to competency with charges related to an adverse interaction between responder and respondent, this program seeks to increase mutual understanding amongst both the responder and respondent population of the state.   The scale of this program will permit researchers to determine whether training can reduce the number of restoration evaluations and restoration orders statewide.

FUNDING
$1,058,270 for three years