STE. GENEVIEVE – Ste Genevieve Community Services Forum has announced Kathy Kreitler, domestic violence advocate, has successfully completed the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) 40 hour training, conducted by the SEMO CIT Council.
The classes were offered at The Perry County Justice Center by Sheriff Jason Klaus, CIT Regional Coordinator, and his team.
This is a specialized training for law enforcement officers, mental health professionals and first responders. It is a community program that aims to improve law enforcement interactions with people experiencing mental health crises.
Participants from the SEMO CIT Region gained critical skills in de-escalation, trauma awareness, and best intervention practices, focusing on collaborative solutions for individuals affected by mental health issues. The program emphasized mutual understanding of services, teamwork, and the importance of empathetic responses in high-pressure situations and also included practical scenarios with strategies for supporting crisis workers and promoting resilience.
Graduates of the CIT program are now equipped to respond affectively, efficiently and compassionately to individuals in crisis, ensuring safer outcomes for citizens and stronger partnerships with local resources.
SEMO CIT meets monthly at Cape Emergency Operations Center on the second Thursday of the month at 9 a.m.
Ste Genevieve Offers the meeting by ZOOM at the YMCA Sports Complex Building for local law enforcement, mental health professionals and first responders.