April 1, 2026
When people are in crisis, the response they receive can be a transformative turning point in their lives.
In an effort to teach first responders how to best support these individuals, while also minimizing risk to themselves, county officials have been offering week-long intensive Ohio Crisis Intervention Team training.
On March 27, 10 Geauga County first responders graduated from the program held at the Geauga County Administrative Offices, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, in Claridon Township.
This year’s graduates brought the total number of trained individuals in the county to more than 300 since the program’s inception in April 2006. CIT training is designed to strengthen mental health crisis response across the county.
“We are pleased with how well this week’s CIT training went in Geauga County,” said Christine Lakomiak, executive director of the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services. “The intensive program equipped first responders with critical skills that promote de-escalation and better outcomes, resulting in more individuals connected to appropriate behavioral health treatment. A highlight was seeing the graduates remain after the ceremony to mingle and bond-clear evidence that the class had become a unified team ready to work together with our local behavioral health partners.”
Geauga County CIT coordinators Ian DeWalt and Colleen Wetherwax led the training in partnership with Chardon Police Chief Scott Niehus and the Geauga County Police Chiefs Association.
“In addition to preparing first responders to assist individuals and families experiencing crisis, the program creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue between mental health providers and first responders – helping to build stronger relationships that enhance care throughout our community,” DeWalt said.
Participants in this year’s class represented a wide range of agencies, including two officers from the Middlefield Police Department, one officer each from the Chardon, University Hospitals, South Russell Village, Chester Township, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources police departments. The class also included a Geauga County dispatcher, a corrections officer from the Geauga County Safety Center, and a member of the Geauga County Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors Team.
“Many of the people our deputies must deal with daily are suffering from mental health and/or substance abuse issues,” said Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand. “Our people must be trained on how to deal with these situations. That is why this training is so important. We have a great relationship with our mental health professionals and partner with them to provide training to our employees, including dispatchers and corrections officers. The majority of the employees of the sheriff’s office have graduated from this most important program. The CIT program is known across the United States for a good reason. It was a privilege to attend the graduation of these professionals from across the county.”
George Lessick, a full-time patrol officer for the University Hospitals Police Department at Geauga Medical Center and a part-time officer with the Willoughby Police Department, has spent many years as a member of the Western Lake County Crisis Negotiation Team. “Without a doubt, dealing with people in crisis is one of the most challenging aspects of police work,” Lessick said. “The CIT training was excellent. The resources available to people in crisis in Geauga County are truly impressive.” He said the most valuable lesson he took away from training is that “no one needs suffer alone.”
“The resources are available to help people improve their lives, and it is incumbent on all of us who regularly come in contact with people in crisis to have the knowledge and ability to offer that assistance,” Lessick said. “To that end, I would encourage anyone who regularly deals with people in crisis to attend this training.”
Cody Paugh, an ODNR officer in the division of parks and watercraft at Punderson Park, highlighted the training’s focus on de-escalation techniques, communication skills, understanding mental illnesses to reduce risk of harm, and recognizing signs of distress to respond with empathy and connect individuals to appropriate mental health services.
“During this training, there were a few speakers that came in to share their personal experiences with mental health crises, and it was very informational to hear what worked for them and their families and what did not,” Paugh said. “I truly feel this training makes me better prepared to handle individuals I may encounter who are in crisis during my job as a law enforcement officer.”
Carolyn Snyder, a new member of the Geauga County LOSS Team, said the training prepared her to assist during what could be “one of the worst days in a person’s life.” She highly recommends the training to anyone who deals with people in crisis.
“The success of Crisis Intervention Team training is made possible through the strong partnerships that support it,” DeWalt said. “The CIT Core Planning Team – comprised of Ravenwood Health, University Hospitals, the Chardon Police Department and (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Geauga-works collaboratively to guide and sustain this important initiative, with direct funding pr vided by the Geauga County (Board of) Mental Health and Recovery (Services). CIT also depends on the ongoing commitment of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies across the county.
“Each year, these agencies dedicate valuable time and personnel to participate in the training – demonstrating a shared commitment to better serving individuals and families experiencing mental health crises,” he added. “Together, these individuals strengthen our community’s ability to respond to crisis situations with understanding, coordination, and care, making Geauga County a safer and more supportive place for all.”
