MN CIT Annual Report

Dear MN CIT partners and community,

At the bottom of this message you will find our first ever annual report, which details our activities in 2019 and our goals for 2020. We hope you will contact us if you have any questions.

We entered 2020 fully prepared to continue expanding our training program to reach more first responders across Minnesota. However, like most states in our nation, Minnesota has had to quickly respond to the spread of COVID-19. As always, our thoughts are with the first responders who address our community’s need whether it be safety or health.  It is a critical time for MN CIT. First responders, like all emergency personnel at the moment, have a heightened risk of exposure to the virus. As always, we are advocating for and standing with those who serve on the frontlines protecting our community. To those who are ill, or whose families are being directly impacted by this pandemic, we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies and support.

In direct response to this national crisis, we have redirected our focus to expediting our online training program, which will allow flexible training sessions available in one-hour units. We will be disseminating our first training module in the next week. Stay tuned.

We acknowledge that it is not an easy time for anyone right now. Many people are secluded in their homes, often working alongside their children, unable to visit their friends and family, and feeling deeply concerned about the future. Feeling frustrated or sad is a common emotion. We want you to remember that you are not alone, and we invite you to connect with us on our contact page, our Facebook page, or contact me to gain access to our alumni network.

While 2020 has presented unprecedented challenges to our work, we believe we have an important role to play de-escalating the anxiety and increasing empathy for those working to contain the crisis and protect our communities. We remain committed to our mission and will continue providing crisis intervention team training in ways that serve our communities while also following public health guidelines during this time.

Thank you to everyone who is a part of this community. We can get through this together.

Michael Peterson, LMFT
Executive Director
executive.director@mncit.org
612-220-6038