In a vital win for the autism and mental health advocacy movement, the Texas Bar Foundation awarded local nonprofit and autism advocacy group Hope for Three a grant to expand their Crisis Intervention Training program on the characteristics of autism and engagement strategies.
Hope For Three currently collaborates with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office CIT, Take Me Home and Project Lifesaver programs. With this grant, the group intends to broaden its strategies and partnerships.
The organization presents its valuable CIT program at the CIT Texas Association conference annually. The conference brings various law enforcement from all over Texas to receive education and insight on intervention techniques for people with mental illness and autistic individuals.
The program is designed to e quip first responders, including police officers, paramedics and other emergency personnel, with specialized training to sensitively and effectively handle situations involving individuals with autism and mental illness.
The program aims to improve public safety, increase awareness and foster more empathetic and appropriate responses in crisis situations.
One key aspect of the CIT program is engagement strategies, where first responders are educated in how to approach individuals with autism and mental illness in a non-threatening, respectful manner.
This approach emphasizes communication techniques that de-escalate stressful situations and create calm interactions, reducing the likelihood of confrontational or harmful situations.
Another aspect of the program is teaching first responders to assess and address the individual need of a person in crisis and to distinguish between behaviors that may be related to mental illness or developmental conditions (i.e. autism) and behaviors that might indicate criminal activity.
Responders taking the CIT program are also trained to recognize the early warning signs of mental health or developmental disorders, allowing them to adjust their responses in ways that can prevent harm to all parties involved.
These responses may include using calming techniques, offering space and avoiding aggressive or punitive actions.
Hope For Three’s partnership with the Texas Bar Foundation ensures that the CIT program has a strong legal and ethical foundation.
The Texas Bar Foundation is a significant source of funding and resources for legal education, and their involvement helps ensure that the program is aligned with current legal standards and practices.
Additionally, the collaboration provides access to legal expertise to help first responders navigate situations that may involve complex legal issues.
The impact of the program is monumental. Studies and reports from other areas that have implemented CIT programs show significant improvements in the way first responders handle crises involving individuals with mental health issues or autism.
The training is shown to help reduce arrests, use of force incidents and overall harm, while improving outcomes for both individuals in crisis and first responders.
For officers, CIT training increases confidence in handling complex situations. It also improves their ability to provide appropriate referrals to mental health services, helping individuals get the care they need instead of entering the criminal justice system unnecessarily.
For communities, the program grows trust between law enforcement and individuals and groups that often feel stigmatized or misunderstood, fostering a safer environment for all.
Should your business, organization, school or group be interested in autism education, please reach out to Hope For Three at (281) 245-0640 or complete this Speaker Request Form.
For information on autism resources, volunteering, or to make a tax-deductible year-end donation, please visit this website.
