Trillium announces recipients of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Awards
Trillium Health Resources announces recipients of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Awards
Volunteers, staff, and first responders all recognized at ceremony
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Trillium Health Resources recognized community volunteers, partner agencies, and first responders at our 2026 CIT Celebration and Awards Banquet held on March 5. More than 90 attendees joined Trillium staff to honor the CIT mission: to build safer, more compassionate communities through training and collaboration.
Trillium has led more than 300 trainings, teaching more than 3,800 first responders how to respond to behavioral health crises with knowledge and empathy.
After a keynote address by Major Christopher Smith with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Trillium staff presented ten awards including:
- CIT Law Enforcement of the Year: Deputy Anthony Chandler, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
- CIT First Responder of the Year: Paramedic Ashley Holloman, Northampton County EMS
- CIT Correctional Officer of the Year: Associate Warden Vedica Lawson-Washington, NC DAC
- CIT Probation & Parole Officer of the Year: PPO Emily Martin, NC DAC – Community Supervision
- CIT Co-Responder of the Year: Kevin Brooks, City of Greensboro Community Safety Department, BHRT (Behavioral Health Response Team)
- CIT Advocate of the Year Award: Dana Daughty, Jr., Gate City 180
- CIT Role-Player of the Year: Correctional Officer Lyle Delap, III, NC DAC
- CIT Trainer of the Year: Sgt. Stacey Kerney, Ret., Kerney Consulting LLC.
- CIT Outstanding Service Award: Christopher Brown, RHA Health Services
- CIT Exemplary Service Award: Captain Jennifer Lewis, Ret., Hoke County Sheriff’s Office
“They gave space, they allowed dignity, and because of that the outcome changed,” shared NAMI volunteer Laura Bobotas about a CIT-trained law enforcement interaction with her son. “CIT does more than de-escalate situations; it preserves life, preserves dignity, and preserves trust.”
More than 20% of police calls involve a mental health crisis. We are thankful for dedicated responders and providers who are so invested in making sure people get admitted to treatment or recovery instead of jail. First responders and agencies interested in CIT training can contact CIT@TrilliumNC.org.
ABOUT TRILLIUM HEALTH RESOURCES
Trillium Health Resources is an innovative health plan for individuals with serious behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury in 46 counties in North Carolina. Through contracts with NCDHHS, we serve Medicaid members on the Tailored Plan and NC Medicaid Direct, state-funded recipients who are uninsured, and members on the Innovations Waiver. Trillium’s mission is transforming lives and building community well-being through partnership and proven solutions. We take an integrated approach to health and wellbeing, coordinating care across multiple systems to achieve improved health outcomes, quality of care and efficient use of resources. Trillium is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of the individuals and communities we serve, and remains focused on delivering the right services, in the right amount, at the right time.