developmental disabilities

In October 2022, the Pittsburgh (PA) Bureau of Police participated as a pilot site for the delivery of the Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT). The CRIT is a 40-hour training program designed to prepare police officers in their response to people experiencing crises related to behavioral health (BH) conditions and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In September 2022, the Shreveport Police Department participated as a pilot site for the delivery of the 40-hour (5-day) Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT). The CRIT s a 40-hour training program designed to prepare police officers in their response to people experiencing crises related to behavioral health (BH) conditions and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Across the United States, law enforcement and behavioral health agencies have increasingly begun to incorporate peer support specialists in their responses to people experiencing behavioral health crises in their community. Peer support specialists are individuals with lived experience with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and/or trauma who are trained, and often certified, to support others with similar experiences in their community.

In May 2022, the Corvallis (OR) Police Department participated as a pilot site for the delivery of the Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT). The CRIT is a 40-hour training program designed to prepare police officers in their response to people experiencing crises related to behavioral health (BH) conditions and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In May 2022, the Rapid City Police Department participated as a pilot site for the delivery of the 40-hour (5-day) Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT). The CRIT s a 40-hour training program designed to prepare police officers in their response to people experiencing crises related to behavioral health (BH) conditions and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In recent years, there has been greater awareness that developmental disabilities may go undetected in individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system. As first responders, law enforcement officers may encounter people with developmental disabilities or co-occurring conditions (mental health conditions and developmental disabilities) and as such have an opportunity to set the stage for effective interactions with the justice system for this population.

Join The Council of State Governments Justice Center for their upcoming “How to Respond Effectively to People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) in the Criminal Justice System” webinar on July 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. ET. During this webinar, attendees will discuss the prevalence of people with I/DD in the criminal justice system and how the Pathways to Justice model can be used to better understand how they become involved in the criminal justice system.

People with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) are an often overlooked population in the criminal justice system because of a lack of identification and understanding and service gaps that prevent providers’ abilities to address their needs. At the same time, they are also often victimized by people without I/DD, which can sometimes lead to sustained involvement with the criminal justice system.

The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability™ (NCCJD) recently published a white paper and hosted a webinar on sex offenders with I/DD, and noted an overwhelming need for this information nationwide. In response to the high demand for information, NCCJD brings you an addendum and accompanying webinar, specifically identifying the problems occurring as a result of autism spectrum disorder and lack of sexual education.