Registration open for annual WV 988 & CIT Summit in Parkersburg

Registration is now open for the annual WV 988 & Crisis Intervention Team Summit, taking place July 20-22 at the Resiliency Center in Parkersburg. First Choice Services, the Charleston-based nonprofit that operates several helplines, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, is hosting the summit to advance discussions around crisis care in West Virginia.

CIT is a nationally recognized program that equips first responders with tools to de-escalate crises and connect individuals with appropriate mental health services. According to the American Psychological Association, at least 20% of police calls involve substance use or mental health concerns, and 65% of jail inmates report mental health challenges.

The first day’s keynote speaker will be Ernie Stevens, featured in the Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary “Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops.” He is also the author of the best-selling book “Mental Health and De-escalation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Professionals.” Stevens is deputy director at The Council of State Governments Justice Center.

The second day’s keynote speaker, Joe Roberts, widely known as The Skid Row CEO, will share his story of transformation from opioid addiction and homelessness on Vancouver’s Skid Row to becoming a successful business leader. Roberts once famously pushed a shopping cart 5,500 miles across Canada to raise awareness and funds for youth homelessness, delivering 430 speaking engagements along the way.

Attendees will include federal, state and local leaders and senior officials in public safety, emergency response, law enforcement, behavioral health and criminal justice. Participants will learn from CIT-certified law enforcement officers and behavioral health professionals about established crisis intervention models and receive updates on developing CIT programs across the state.

Hollis Lewis, project director for the WV 988 & CIT Summit, said the event gives leaders from across West Virginia a valuable opportunity to work together on improving crisis response statewide.

“This summit brings together leaders from communities across the state to learn from one another about crisis response,” Lewis said. “We know mental health and substance use crises affect every town in our state, and collaboration is essential to making sure people get the help they need when they need it most. Proper training also keeps everyone safer, including the first responders.”

The event includes 18 hours of continuing education for law enforcement, social workers, counselors and addiction treatment professionals. For more information about CIT or to register for the summit, visit wvcit.com.