Chris is Director of Programs for Crisis Response Programs and Training, a corporation that provides technical assistance for crisis response systems and training at all crisis response intercept points. Recently, she was Director of Programs for CIT International. She has been involved with Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs for the past 10 years. She is a master instructor for Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT): Train-the-Trainer, Crisis Call Training for Emergency Communication Centers: Train-the-Trainer, and Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT) for Schools: Train-the-Trainer; all programs of CRPT. As a Certified CIT Coordinator, Chris has participated in multiple Sequential Intercept Model mapping processes contributing as a key stakeholder for CIT Steering Committees. She has co-coordinated 30+ CIT training classes for law enforcement and other first responder agencies delivering the Memphis Model CIT training for over 630 officers for 17 agencies throughout California. Prior to joining CIT International, she was Executive Director of the NAMI Fresno, National Alliance on Mental Illness, for 8 years. She provides mental health education to various partners of criminal justice system, local school districts to teachers, administrators and students, and faith communities. Chris has 35+ years of community benefit organization leadership, serving as a board member and executive staff leadership. Prior to executive leadership with NAMI Fresno, Chris spent over 20 years in the banking industry as a Vice President specializing in relationships with community benefit organizations. She is currently serving as President of California CIT Association and just recently completed serving as an executive board member of NAMI California (7 years). Chris has been involved in and passionate about Maternal Wellness Coalitions for Fresno, Madera and Kings counties, and the Fresno County Suicide Prevention Collaborative. She served as chair for the CTE Advisory Committee for FUSD, and Central Valley Children's Services Network - President. Prior to leaving California in 2023, Chris was an appointed Commissioner for the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Commission. She is a certified instructor for Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid. In addition, she is a leader for several NAMI signature programs: Family to Family, Family Support Groups, Peer to Peer, Connection Recovery Support Group, and a lead presenter for all Ending the Silence modules.

Aimee Hendle serves as the Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator for the San Diego and Imperial Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (SDI HIDTA). Mrs. Hendle works to promote and increase public knowledge of the emerging drug, alcohol and Human Trafficking issues facing our communities today. She facilitates trainings as well as provides support and resources as they are requested throughout the state and along the US/Mexico border. Mrs. Hendle also works on a variety of initiatives ensuring that the programs are run within the required guidelines and with greatest desired outcomes and organizes numerous media releases and events at the local, state, national, and international level.

Miriam Clark serves as a Program Manager I with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), overseeing both the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program for Law Enforcement and Community Partners and the Community Education Program (CEP). With over nineteen years of experience in human services within San Bernardino County, Ms. Clark has contributed to various departments, including the Department of Aging and Adult Services – In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority, Public Health, and Children and Family Services. In her current capacity as the CIT Program Manager I, Ms. Clark is committed to upholding the objectives of the CIT program. She ensures that first responders and community partners are thoroughly prepared to provide effective support and responses to community residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Under Ms. Clark's leadership, the program collaborates with law enforcement entities and other county community partners, such as Probation and Fire, to educate their personnel on recognizing behavioral health crises, communicating appropriately, de-escalating situations, and, most importantly, connecting community residents and their families to appropriate resources. Through the CEP program, Ms. Clark and her team offer educational and training opportunities to San Bernardino County residents, promoting a deeper understanding of behavioral health and connecting individuals to services. These educational opportunities include certified evidence-based curriculum and customizable training sessions. Ms. Clark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Public Administration degree from The University of La Verne. She is a certified San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy Instructor, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, GAINS Center's "How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses" trainer, and a certified CIT Coordinator through CIT International.

Chief Ray Sweeney, Treasurer - La Mesa PD. Chief Sweeney joined the La Mesa Police Department in 2001, and has held several assignments over the last several years. The assignments include, Patrol, Detective, Narcotic Task Force Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. He also held several collateral assignments that include, Master Officer, Range Master, Defensive Tactics and Less Lethal Instructor, Special Response Team member, Team Leader, and Commander. As a Captain, he oversaw both the Patrol and Services Divisions. Chief Sweeney has served as a Subject Matter Expert for the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in mental health and law enforcement response.

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Chief Sweeney is a veteran of the US Army, serving both on active duty and continuing his career in the California Army National Guard. He retired as a Sergeant Major in 2012, after serving more than 26 years.

Chief Sweeney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute and University and a Master of Science degree from the University of San Diego, in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Academy and the US Army Sergeant’s Major Academy.

Marla has over 39 years of experience working with law enforcement, mental health providers, and community leaders, providing her with a broad perspective on the intersection of public safety and behavioral health.

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In 1996, Marla developed and implemented the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) in San Diego County, a pioneering program that pairs mental health clinicians with uniformed law enforcement officers to assist individuals experiencing mental health crises. Under her leadership, PERT has grown into a countywide program with 70 clinicians serving 11 law enforcement agencies. Her work in PERT has involved extensive collaboration with law enforcement agencies, the development of policies and procedures, and the advancement of community service initiatives related to mental health crisis response. Marla currently serves as past president of the California Crisis Intervention Training Association (CACITA), where she led efforts to provide mental health, crisis management, and de-escalation training to law enforcement and behavioral health professionals throughout California. Through CACITA, she worked closely with agencies to address their specific needs, helping them strengthen their crisis response strategies and better support both their personnel and the communities they serve. Recognizing the growing need for specialized training in crisis de-escalation, Marla was hired by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to develop and implement a countywide de-escalation training program following the enactment of Assembly Bill 392. Through this initiative, she collaborated with law enforcement agencies, behavioral health providers, and community leaders to create a comprehensive training curriculum. To date, the program has successfully trained over 6000 law enforcement officers across San Diego County. Marla is also an experienced facilitator for the San Diego County Substance Use Overdose and Prevention Taskforce (SUOPT), where she works with public health officials, community organizations, and law enforcement to develop strategies aimed at reducing substance use and overdose-related harms. With a strong commitment to collaboration, compassion, and effective crisis intervention, Marla continues to be a leading advocate for improved mental health response and training in law enforcement and public safety sectors.