Celebrating success: crisis response & intervention training class | va birmingham health care | veterans affairs

The Birmingham VA Health Care System's Veterans Response Team (VRT) proudly celebrated the graduation of its third Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT) class on Friday, July

19, 2024, at the Birmingham VA East Clinic. This significant milestone marks the successful completion of training for 24 dedicated members, bringing the total number of graduates to 64

since the program's inception.  The week-long CRIT program is a collaborative initiative designed to equip first responders and community partners with essential tools and knowledge to

address mental and behavioral health crises among Veterans effectively. The program underscores the vital need for improved cooperation between first responders and Veterans Affairs

resources, aiming to fortify partnerships and enhance crisis interventions.  Participants included personnel from a broad spectrum of community stakeholders, such as local law enforcement

and city officials. Among the graduates were representatives from the Birmingham VA Police, VA Police from Charleston, South Carolina, Montgomery VA in Alabama, Augusta VA (Georgia), the

Moody Police Department, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Hoover Police Department, Alabama National Guard, U.S. Army Civilian Employees, and a North Carolina congressional liaison serving

as a nonprofit.“CRIT training has assisted me and my team with identifying the need to help people recover during a mental health crisis,” said Gary Hunter, Chief, VA Police, from the

Charleston VA. “Understanding how others perceive a crisis and helping them navigate it has several benefits, including helping them return to how they functioned before the crisis.”  The

comprehensive training covered critical topics such as Behavioral Health, Mental Illness, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Psychosis Disorders, Legal Issues, Substance Use

Disorders, and Suicide Prevention. This diverse curriculum is tailored to empower participants with the necessary skills to effectively support Veterans in crisis.  VRT: A BEACON OF

COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND SUPPORT  In 2023, the Birmingham VA Health Care System initiated the Veterans Response Team (VRT), a program that has quickly become a beacon of hope for Veterans and

the community. The VRT aims to establish a crucial link between community first responders and VA-specific resources, playing a pivotal role in crisis situations involving Veterans. “One of

the many things you learn in CRIT is to use your mind's natural instinct to empathize with someone who is struggling as a tool to gain compliance, with the goal of becoming the person’s

advocate and getting them help," added Sgt. Zack Jackson of the Odenville Police Department, Odenville, Alabama. “CRIT also teaches [responders] to keep a level head and be the voice

of reason and calm in a crisis situation.”  The mission of the VRT is clear: support Veterans in crisis, reduce Veteran suicides, enhance participation in mental health treatment, and foster

increased collaboration within the community while supporting local law enforcement agencies. The VRT’s comprehensive resources include Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Homeless and

Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists, Substance Use, Intimate Partner Violence, Peer Support, and LGBTQ+ programs.  REINFORCING RELATIONSHIPS AND ENHANCING VETERAN SUPPORT   Since its

formation, the VRT has handled more than 85 calls from internal staff and community emergency response teams, addressing issues ranging from homelessness and mental health to jail diversion

and threatening behaviors. While not all calls result in legal action being avoided, the team's efforts have significantly contributed to de-escalating crises, ensuring the safety of

both Veterans and emergency responders.  The VRT continues to act as a vital bridge, connecting emergency personnel with the VA's dispatch office, enabling access to resources and

direct communication with Veterans to mitigate crises and ensure safe transportation to VA medical facilities.   This graduation ceremony not only celebrates the accomplishments of the

latest CRIT class but also highlights the ongoing commitment of the Birmingham VA Health Care System to support and protect our Veterans through comprehensive training and community

collaboration.