Award Winners

This award recognizes a person who demonstrates exemplary, ongoing commitment to being actively involved with CIT community partnerships and works to improve access to services within their own system or with the community mental health system.

Dr. Joel Fay has demonstrated an extraordinary and sustained commitment to the principles of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs and the broader mission of improving crisis response systems. A retired police officer, practicing psychologist, Army veteran, and co-author of Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know, Dr. Fay has dedicated over 30 years to bridging the gap between behavioral health and law enforcement. He co-founded the First Responder Support Network, which supports first responders and their families in addressing the impacts of critical incident stress. His unique perspective allows him to communicate complex behavioral health concepts in a way that resonates deeply with law enforcement professionals. Dr. Fay has played a key role in sustaining and expanding CIT programs by consulting on policies, facilitating post-incident debriefings, and developing forensic multidisciplinary teams that improve access to care. His dedication to improving system-wide collaboration and resilience, both for individuals in crisis and the first responders who serve them, has made him a vital asset to CIT efforts across the region. Even in retirement, Dr. Fay continues to teach, advise, and mentor. He embodies the core values of CIT and reinforces a more compassionate, effective, and trauma-informed response to mental health crises.

The CIT Corrections Officer Award recognizes a CIT Corrections Officer who demonstrates continuous use of exemplary CIT knowledge and skills. Their work highlights their outstanding dedication to the CIT program, CIT Services and advancing its success within Corrections.

Corporal Cameron Kiger of Middle River Regional Jail exemplifies the highest standards of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) work within corrections. Since joining MRRJ in 2018, he has quickly risen through the ranks due to his leadership, maturity, and deep commitment to CIT principles. A certified CIT officer since 2021 and instructor since 2022, Cameron has not only used his skills in critical moments, but has also helped transform the jail’s culture. He regularly mentors fellow officers, encourages participation in CIT training, and fosters collaboration between correctional, medical, and mental health staff to ensure continuity of care for inmates. His calm, compassionate approach during high-stress incidents and his ability to de-escalate both inmates and staff highlight his rare emotional intelligence. Cameron’s work has directly improved safety, reduced crises, and strengthened the team-based approach to behavioral health inside the facility. 

This award, which is named in honor of the late CIT International Board Member, Dr. Fred Frese, recognizes a person who lives with mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorder who is actively involved with CIT as a community program – from promoting, planning, participating in the training, assisting with the implementation or with ongoing sustainability efforts. It recognizes a person who incorporates their knowledge and familiarity with systems and care issues; engages opportunities (as peer and/or friend) to assist others and always introduces CIT in conversations with others as a theme or calling of hope. Felishia exemplifies an extraordinary commitment to CIT through nearly two decades of advocacy, training, and leadership. Since 2007, she has volunteered her time to promote and sustain CIT programs throughout North Carolina by sharing her personal journey with mental illness and substance use disorder. As a trained “In Our Own Voice” presenter and frequent CIT panelist, she offers honest, impactful stories that bring a human perspective to crisis intervention training. Felishia integrates CIT principles into every aspect of her work, including her roles as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Certified Peer Support Specialist, and NAMI Peer Leadership Council Chairperson. She helps plan and coordinate local CIT programs, ensuring they remain relevant and inclusive. At Fayetteville State University, her alma mater, she mentors NAMI on Campus students to prepare the next generation of mental health advocates. Felishia also works as a CIT Coordinator, collaborating with community partners to evolve training content and expand CIT reach into underserved areas. Her efforts go beyond education as she actively mentors others with lived experience, encouraging them to take leadership roles in CIT and share their voices. Her unwavering dedication, both personally and professionally, makes her a powerful example of how lived experience can transform communities and strengthen crisis response systems. 

The CIT Advocate of the Year Award recognizes a family member or other community advocate who demonstrates exemplary active involvement with their CIT program. They must have been instrumental in getting CIT started and/or promoting CIT as an engaging program that elevates the identity and ownership of CIT as a Community Program. This person always speaks boldly of issues specific to mental illness stigma and advocates for access to high quality care services for people who live, struggle and cope with mental illness.

Kristen Wenrich has been a transformative leader and tireless advocate in her community. As one of the original architects of the Community Connections program, Kristen helped design and implement an innovative co-responder model that embeds mental health professionals alongside law enforcement, ensuring individuals in crisis receive care rather than face criminalization. Her dedication to trauma-informed, data-driven practices has strengthened collaboration between public health, behavioral health, and public safety sectors. Kristen’s advocacy extends beyond program operations. She actively elevates the voices of individuals with lived experience through community listening sessions and partnerships with advocacy groups, ensuring services are responsive, inclusive, and equitable. By educating policymakers, securing sustainable funding, and promoting behavioral health as a public responsibility, Kristen has institutionalized a compassionate, effective approach to crisis response that builds community trust and improves outcomes. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to care over punishment make her profoundly deserving of the 2025 CIT Advocate of the Year Award.

The CIT Telecommunication Specialist Award recognizes a dispatcher, call taker or crisis specialist who demonstrates continuous use of exemplary CIT knowledge and skills. Some examples of this may include successful use of telephonic de-escalation skills, knowledge and referrals to community resources, regular and continuous contact with the mental health community, following up after CIT calls, and/or showing compassion to people with mental illness lived experiences and families on a regular basis. Their work highlights their outstanding dedication to the CIT program, CIT Services and advancing CIT as a community success.

Michelle Perez exemplifies the heart of CIT through her dedication, leadership, and compassion. Volunteering over 500 hours outside of her regular duties, Michelle has immersed herself in CIT, becoming an instructor, policy advocate, and bridge between dispatchers, officers, and the community. She applies her deep CIT knowledge daily by guiding call-takers through high-stakes calls, reinforcing de-escalation techniques, and ensuring callers are connected to appropriate resources. Michelle spearheaded updates to departmental CIT policies and created a centralized resource hub to give officers and dispatchers quick access to behavioral health services. She routinely monitors calls to proactively connect responders with Mobile Crisis Teams or other supports, often intervening herself when someone walks into the station in crisis. Her leadership was pivotal in reviving her agency’s dormant CIT program—meeting with the Chief, revising SOPs to embed CIT principles, and reigniting participation in CIT trainings and coalition meetings. Michelle’s compassion shines in every interaction: whether calming a distraught community member or supporting her fellow first responders through difficult moments. Her tireless advocacy, empathy, and unwavering commitment have transformed her department’s approach to crisis response and inspired others to carry the CIT mission forward.

This award recognizes a CIT Response Team (more than one individual) that demonstrates continuous use of exemplary CIT knowledge and skills. Some examples of this may include successful use of de-escalation skills, knowledge, and referrals to community resources, regularly volunteering for CIT calls, regular and continuous contact with other members of the CIT community, following up after CIT calls, and/or showing compassion towards people with mental illness lived experiences and families. Their work highlights outstanding dedication to the CIT program, CIT Services and advancing CIT as a successful community program. This team demonstrates their expertise in working with diverse populations through engagement, problem-solving, and community interventions

Montgomery County, Maryland’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a full-time, multidisciplinary co-response unit that responds to behavioral health crises with a strong commitment to de-escalation and honoring the sanctity of life. The team includes Sergeant Michael Skidmore, Supervisor Therapist Lewis Nordan, Police Officer III Kelly Cox, Police Officer III Mirko Fernandez Valdes, Police Officer III Matthew Johnson, Police Officer III Ashley Petersen, Police Officer III Ignatious Zakrjewski and Therapist Mary Brough. Together, they respond to complex situations involving individuals in crisis, including calls involving suicide, violent behavior, and the enforcement of Maryland’s red flag laws. The team works closely with the county’s Crisis Center and Health and Human Services to coordinate care and connect individuals with needed resources. They also lead four CIT trainings each year, helping to educate and support law enforcement, clinicians, and community partners. In one of the most diverse counties in the country, Montgomery County CIT remains dedicated to culturally responsive engagement, collaborative problem-solving, and building trust with the community.

The CIT Coordinator Award is named in honor of CIT International founding Board Members Michael Woody and Michele Saunders and recognizes a person from law enforcement or corrections that oversees their CIT program or a mental health provider or advocate who is a strong leader for their community CIT program. This person must demonstrate their leadership in organizing their CIT program, ensuring there is a community steering committee, and using their leadership abilities to help grow and sustain CIT as a community program.

Retired Captain Kelly Walker has shown outstanding leadership in building a collaborative, effective crisis response system. Through his vision and dedication, the regional CIT program expanded from five to sixteen agencies and launched a 24/7 therapeutic assessment site, easing law enforcement burdens and improving access to care. More recently, he led efforts to establish a new crisis receiving center and transitional facility to reduce emergency department use. Kelly’s innovative approach brought CIT-based training to a state psychiatric hospital, cutting seclusion and restraint rates by 50% and setting a statewide standard. Committed to CIT International best practices, he has helped standardize Virginia’s CIT curriculum, promoted 988 and alternative crisis response options, and ensured diverse voices are represented in training through peer presenters and inclusive instructor recruitment. Kelly’s tireless advocacy, collaborative leadership, and dedication to continuous improvement have strengthened his community’s crisis response and exemplify the spirit of CIT.

The CIT First Responder Award recognizes a CIT first responder who demonstrates continuous use of exemplary CIT knowledge and skills. Their work highlights their outstanding dedication to the CIT program, CIT services and advancing CIT as a community success.

Officer Travis Curtner exemplifies the highest standards of CIT practice through his unwavering commitment to the Houston Police Department’s Mental Health Division. Over the past three years, he has responded to more than 500 CIT-related calls, issuing 242 Emergency Detention Orders and ensuring individuals in crisis are connected to the care they need. His role in the Chronic Consumer Stabilization Initiative (CCSI) demonstrates his focus on long-term support for individuals with complex mental health needs. Officer Curtner consistently applies his CIT knowledge and skills, remaining calm and compassionate in high-stress situations. One example is a critical incident on a freeway involving a suicidal individual, where his ability to quickly build rapport and apply a tourniquet helped save a life and ensured the person received immediate medical and mental health support. Officer Curtner frequently partners with clinicians to respond to individuals experiencing severe mental health crises and does so with patience and professionalism. He also works closely with The Harris Center, area hospitals, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure people in crisis receive coordinated and compassionate care. His commitment to teamwork, continuous learning, and person-centered response makes him an invaluable resource to his community and an ideal recipient of the CIT First Responder of the Year Award.

The CIT International Crisis Line Specialist of the Year Award recognizes a crisis specialist who handles crisis calls, through the 988 system or any other crisis line, and who demonstrates continuous use of exemplary CIT knowledge and skills. Their work highlights their outstanding dedication to the CIT program, CIT Services and advancing CIT as a community success.

Chasmine J. Parker consistently demonstrates exemplary CIT knowledge, skillfully applying de-escalation techniques, active listening, and empathy to support individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Through her calm and compassionate approach, she builds trust with callers, helping them feel safe while guiding them toward appropriate resources and services. Chasmine’s deep understanding of mental health challenges allows her to navigate complex, high-pressure situations while maintaining a person-centered focus, ensuring each caller receives individualized care and support. She is known for sharing up-to-date information on available resources and working collaboratively with law enforcement, mobile crisis teams, and community partners to coordinate care and interventions. Her compassion extends beyond the phone call—she frequently follows up with individuals and families to ensure safety, continuity of care, and connection to needed services. Chasmine’s dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to helping others make her an invaluable part of the crisis response system. Her leadership, collaborative spirit, and dedication to CIT principles continue to elevate the standard of care she provides and inspire those who work alongside her. 

The CIT Law Enforcement Executive Award recognizes a Sheriff, Chief or a member of the Law Enforcement Executive Staff who actively supports the CIT program in their community. This person must demonstrate their support of the Core Elements of the CIT program as well as a commitment to community partnerships. This person may be instrumental in driving the creation of a new program or in maintaining a vibrant existing program that incorporates refresher training and other advanced efforts.

Commander Leonard LaFrance exemplifies what it means to be a law enforcement executive who fully embraces the principles and goals of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs. Since becoming involved with the Humboldt County CIT Program, he has served as a Co-Coordinator, lead law enforcement instructor, and champion for expanding mental health crisis response services. He has taken an active role in program development by launching the Community Safety Enhancement Team and supporting the creation of the CARE alternate response team in Eureka. A committed educator, he teaches multiple segments of the 40-hour CIT training course and leads monthly steering committee meetings, demonstrating his belief in the power of training and collaboration. His dedication extends beyond law enforcement as he co-hosts community block parties that bring together service providers, politicians, and unhoused residents to build trust and share resources. Commander LaFrance is also engaged in expanding regional CIT efforts and contributes to statewide POST training initiatives. He partners closely with Tribal law enforcement, schools, and service agencies to ensure CIT serves all community members equitably. Known for his kindness, accessibility, and unwavering support of his community, Commander LaFrance is a tireless advocate for a more compassionate and effective approach to crisis response.