MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded an $88,172 grant to provide specialized training for law enforcement, correctional officers and first responders in Clay Coosa, Randolph and Talladega counties.
The grant will help officials in those counties defuse volatile situations by recognizing signs of mental illnesses and other intellectual disabilities and taking appropriate action.
“Our law enforcement officers and first responders place themselves in potential peril every time they respond to a call or pull over a vehicle,” Gov. Ivey said. “This training will be a very valuable resource in helping responders in these counties to determine what actions to take when facing these difficult and often unforeseen challenges.”
The AltaPointe Health CCRT Mental Health Partnership will provide training to help responders correctly identify when a person’s behavior is a result of mental illness, substance use or other disorder. The training will also involve techniques and intervention strategies for successfully defusing and handling those situations.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“The safe handling of a potential crisis is a win-win for everyone involved in the situation,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in supporting this beneficial training program.”
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
-30-
Jim Plott or Mike Presley
ADECA Communications and External Affairs
(334) 242-5525
