MO CIT Council

12/31/2025

🚨 Crisis/Hostage Negotiation – Level II 🚨

Join Crisis Systems Management, LLC for this 40-hour intermediate negotiation course, hosted by the St. Charles County Police Department.

📅 May 18–22, 2026
📍 O’Fallon, MO

Build advanced crisis negotiation skills through challenging, scenario-driven, team-oriented training.

👉 Register: crisisnegotiation.net

See flyer for more information. Seats are limited—secure your spot today!

12/12/2025

For our final shoutout this week, we want to celebrate Abigail Ayuba, a CBHL with Burrell Behavioral Health who supports the Dallas County CIT Council. Abigail is a dedicated supporter of CIT and participates in both our annual conference and CIT International. She carries tremendous strength and tenderness when she walks alongside her community and the first responders she serves. 💛👮‍♂️🤝

Recently, Abigail supported a first responder who was experiencing active suicidal ideation. She remained calmer than the most peaceful stream. Her presence, her words, and her compassion anchored the first responder. The first responder later shared:

“You were the anchor buried in the sand holding me on the shore, calmly and with no force, holding me with your words of hope and healing and of a future. A future of what I have carried and what I will carry, but with grace and understanding that I am human, just like every human I serve. I am not immune to the impact trauma has on someone, but I do have someone to listen to me and to care for me as I navigate the nightmares of my career. You taught me that I have always been a lifesaver, and now it was time to save mine. And I did. Thank you, Abigail. You are an angel, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for inviting me to stay another day.” 🕊️

Thank you, Abigail, for showing us what grace, strength, and true support look like. 💙 Your impact is immeasurable, and Missouri CIT is profoundly grateful for you. ✨

12/10/2025

Today’s special shoutout goes to Shirley Waggoner, a CBHL with Compass Health who supports the South Central CIT Council.✨ Shirley brings kindness and compassion into every room she enters. She offers support without hesitation and creates a space where people feel safe to share their needs. Shirley not only connects individuals to services, she truly sees and hears people. She has a gentle way of noticing when first responders are carrying more than they say out loud and she always meets them with patience, respect, and care. Shirley shows up at meetings, trainings, and community events ready to listen, to encourage, and to remind first responders that their wellness matters too. Her dedication to walking alongside them, especially when the work is heavy, reflects the mission of her agency, CIT, and the Missouri Behavioral Health Council. She lives out that mission in the way she treats every person in front of her, with dignity, warmth, and an open heart. 🫶

Thank you, Shirley, for the grace, strength, and humanity you bring to this work. Your community is better because of you. ♥️

12/09/2025

Missouri CIT is proud to recognize Marietta Hagan, Project Coordinator with CoxHealth. 💙 Marietta’s organizational strengths are unmatched, and she provides steady, dependable support to the Ozarks Area CIT Council. 🌟 She is always willing to help CBHLs in her region and also supports other liaisons across the state who are building and strengthening CIT Councils in their own communities. Her involvement, leadership, and dedication make her an incredible asset to CIT. Her presence makes everything run smoother, clearer, and stronger. 💪

Thank you, Marietta, for everything you pour into this work. 🙏 Missouri CIT is grateful for you and honored to work alongside you. 💙

Send a message to learn more

12/08/2025

Missouri CIT would like to give several heartfelt shoutouts to a few remarkable humans who continue to lift their communities, their first responders, and their CIT Councils with extraordinary commitment and care. 💙

First, we want to recognize Lauren Thompson, a CBHL who supports the 37th District CIT Council. She recently helped facilitate a CIT training, which had over 30 attendees representing all fields of first responders, as well as clinicians and crisis responders from the 37th District. Lauren dives into new challenges without skipping a beat and always shows up with a full heart. ❤️ She is one of the most giving and kind people we have met. Her compassion for her community and first responders is unwavering. Lauren pours into people with sincerity, humility, and genuine love. She cares deeply and intentionally for everyone around her, and Missouri CIT is grateful to walk beside her. 🙏

We will continue to publicly recognize those who embody the heart of Missouri CIT by strengthening their councils, caring deeply for their responders, and standing with their communities in moments that matter most. 🌟

12/05/2025

Missouri CIT would like to celebrate the incredible CIT Councils, liaisons, and instructors who stepped up to support the Missouri State Highway Patrol regional CIT trainings across our state. This was a heavy lift, and each of you approached it with dedication, teamwork, and genuine care.

Thank you to our CIT Councils- MACIT, TRICIT, Ozarks Area, NEMO, Saints Avenue CIT, South Central CIT, Capital Area CIT, and Mid-MO CIT Council for your leadership and commitment. We also want to recognize our liaisons Ted Solomon, Shelonda Hamilton, Dustin Baggs, Trina Hays, Peggy Gorenflo, Kelly Beisser, Shirley Waggoner, Shanna Baker, Nichole Rohn, Christy West, Gregg McBride, Kyle Duncan, and Illa Lewis for the support they provided throughout this effort.

We also want to thank all of our instructors who give their time to help educate first responders and community partners across Missouri. Your willingness to teach and support this mission makes a tremendous impact.

Because of your work, we have trained Troops A, B, D, I, and F, and we look forward to completing the remaining Troops in the new year.

Your dedication to your by councils, first responders, and communities is what makes Missouri CIT strong. We are grateful for each of you and thankful for the difference you make every day. 💙

Send a message to learn more

12/04/2025

Missouri CIT is thrilled about our 2026 Missouri CIT Conference at Margaritaville! We are honored to serve and care for our first responders, behavioral health partners, and community advocates who show up every day for the people of Missouri.

This conference is our chance to come together, learn from one another, recharge, and strengthen the partnerships that make crisis response work possible. We cannot wait to see everyone there and to spend meaningful time with the incredible people who make CIT what it is.

More details will be coming soon. Until then, please mark your calendars and know how grateful we are for each of you.

We look forward to seeing you in 2026! 💙

11/26/2025

💛💙 Happy Holidays from Missouri CIT 💙💛

To all Missouri CIT councils, liaisons, behavioral health providers, and community partners -
As we move into the holiday season, we want to wish each of you peace, comfort, love, and rest. You show up for others in their hardest moments, and you continue to serve with compassion, courage, and heart. Your work is not easy, and the sacrifices you make for your communities do not go unnoticed.

Our hope for you this season is simple:�-Rest for your mind and body�-Comfort in the company of those you love�-Peace in quiet moments�-Care for yourselves with the same generosity you give to others

Thank you for all you do every day to move this work forward and to support the people of Missouri. We are grateful for you, proud of you, and honored to stand beside you.

Wishing you a safe, warm, and restorative holiday season. ♥️

11/20/2025

⭐️ Missouri CIT Shoutout to CIT Tri-Lakes Council ⭐️

We want to extend a sincere thank you to the CIT Tri-Lakes Council for inviting Missouri CIT to your monthly meeting today. Your team is doing incredible work in your region, and we are continually impressed by the passion, collaboration, and commitment you show every day. The way you relentlessly support your first responders and your community does not go unnoticed. 🚓🚑

The strong partnership between mental health professionals and law enforcement in the Tri-Lakes area is a shining example of what can be accomplished when everyone works together toward a shared goal of a safer and healthier community for all. 🌟

Thank you for leading the way and demonstrating the heart of CIT. We are proud to support you.

-Missouri CIT 💙

Send a message to learn more

11/13/2025

We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of Angela Lutmer, a dedicated CBHL who served her community and first responders with unwavering compassion and strength.

Angela’s impact reached far and wide through her work with the CIT council, first responder peer support programs, and countless moments of kindness that reflected her genuine care for others. She led with purpose, empathy, and love for the people she served.

Angela’s legacy will continue to inspire us to show up for one another, to serve with open hearts, and to support those who dedicate their lives to helping others.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Angela’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Support is available for anyone who needs it. Please reach out if we can assist in any way.

We will share details about arrangements as they become available.

Angela, sweet friend... we bet it's so nice up in heaven now that you've arrived. We hope the angels know what they have. 🤍

11/08/2025

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is hosting the 16th Post Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) on January 26-28, 2026, in Branson, Missouri. Please encourage any first responder who has experienced one or more critical incident(s) during their career to apply.

Anyone interested in attending PCIS can apply using this link: https://forms.office.com/g/d1Rrfqq8qv. The application deadline is November 24, 2025. All participants who are selected to attend will be notified by December 1, 2025.

Learn more about PCIS and read the FAQ’s here: https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/HRD/PCIS/index.html

🚓 Missouri Post-Critical Incident Seminar (MO-PCIS) 🚒

If you’ve faced a critical incident on duty, you’re not alone. This free three-day retreat helps first responders process trauma, learn coping skills, and connect with peers who understand. Lodging and meals are included for you and your spouse (or other support person). 💙 Register today!

11/06/2025

MO CIT had the privilege of celebrating with the St. Louis Area CIT Council at their annual banquet. We brought our spouses, shared quality time, and had great conversations with liaisons, mental health partners, and neighboring councils. It was inspiring to see neighboring councils show up to celebrate and support one another.

A special shout-out to Sergeant Becky Gardiner for hosting her first banquet as CIT Council Chair. She did an exceptional job, and we’re so excited to watch her lead.

From our CIT family to yours, thank you for the invitation and the continued partnership. We’re grateful to walk this journey with you and to celebrate the incredible work happening across the St. Louis region. 💙