The austin independent school district (aisd) police department (aisd PD) will use FY24 safer outcomes funding to train aisd police officers to effectively respond to mental health crisis on aisd…

The austin independent school district (aisd) police department (aisd PD) will use FY24 safer outcomes funding to train aisd police officers to effectively respond to mental health crisis on aisd campus. IT is the responsibility of the responding officer to complete an initial assessment, but some officers do not have training to effectively assess the student in distress. Aisd PD's crisis intervention training exceeds standards required by local and state guidelines. The department's goal is that every aisd officer in the field is equipped with the skills to effectively act as the first responder on scene. This training will provide 40 hours of evidence-based crisis intervention training (CIT) and will include the following topics: DE-escalating a mental health crisis; mental health diagnoses, symptoms and experiences; and conversations with mental health consumers. The final day will involve field-based, hands-on practice in responding to mental health calls and a feedback session. This specialized, intense training will prepare the officers to sensitively and effectively handle mental health needs. A total of 250 aisd PD current officers, new hires, and officers from adjacent school districts, will be trained over a two year period. This opportunity will help ensure our school communities are served safely by providing our first responders the opportunity to receive the training that they need.