SAYREVILLE, N.J. (Middlesex County) — The Morris County Crisis Intervention Team has been named the 2025 Program of the Year by the Crisis Intervention Team of New Jersey, officials announced.
The award was presented April 30 during a statewide CIT-NJ conference held at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville.
Launched in 2021, the Morris County program brings together law enforcement, first responders and mental health professionals to improve responses to individuals experiencing mental or behavioral health crises.
The program includes a 40-hour training course focused on mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. The training emphasizes communication, de-escalation techniques and connecting individuals with services as an alternative to incarceration.
Since its inception, the program has hosted 17 training classes and trained 535 participants, including 377 law enforcement personnel and 158 civilians.
CIT Coordinator Chief Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez credited the program’s staff and partners for its success.
“The impact the Morris County CIT is having is undeniably significant. Morris County staff have been called upon to assist other counties in starting or boosting their CIT and ARRIVE programs, and routinely help graduates who have questions or need assistance with situations they are dealing with. Class members often note how the personal and professional experiences that are shared by the staff will influence how they handle crisis calls going forward. Moreover, mental health professionals and civilians who participate in the training consistently relate that this class has given them a better understanding and appreciation for the work of law enforcement,” Rodriguez said.
Prosecutor Carroll said the program has become a model across the state.
“The CIT-NJ Morris County Program members have demonstrated leadership and initiative since the program’s creation, and has become a model throughout New Jersey. Morris County is on the forefront of improving law enforcement’s response to subjects experiencing mental health crisis and bringing about the best possible outcomes for all those involved,” Carroll said.
Officials also recognized the contributions of law enforcement leaders, mental health professionals and support staff who helped develop and sustain the program.
Authorities said the program will continue to expand its training and outreach efforts to address mental health challenges throughout Morris County.
