The landscape of crisis intervention in Wisconsin represents a critical convergence of emergency management, mental health advocacy, and law enforcement collaboration. Since 2019, the state has hosted a robust ecosystem of conferences designed to bridge the gap between immediate disaster response and long-term psychological recovery. These gatherings, held primarily in Wisconsin Dells and Madison, serve as vital platforms for sharing evidence-based strategies for organizational resilience, co-response models, and community support. By examining the specific conferences from 2019 through the ongoing initiatives, we can trace the evolution of Wisconsin’s approach to mental health crises, highlighting the shift from isolated emergency response to integrated, compassionate care systems.
The 2019 Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management
One of the oldest emergency management conferences in the United States is the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Emergency Management and Homeland Security. In 2019, this pivotal event took place on March 21–22 at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells. The conference provided a comprehensive venue for attendees to engage with experts on crisis response, recovery protocols, and disaster preparedness. A central focus of the 2019 agenda was the presentation by Michelle Colosimo, representing Black Swan Solutions, a crisis management service by Empathia. Her session, titled “Organizational Resilience: Moving from Crisis through Recovery,” was scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 2019, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Kalahari Resort, located at 1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
Colosimo’s presentation examined the seven phases of a crisis, offering recommendations frequently overlooked in standard business continuity plans. Beyond organizational frameworks, the session placed significant emphasis on the human element of crisis management: the victims, their families, and the specific assistance provided to them during both the initial crisis phase and the subsequent recovery period. This focus underscores the importance of integrating psychological support into broader emergency management strategies, ensuring that human needs are not sidelined in favor of logistical protocols.
The Annual Crisis Intervention Conference
Parallel to emergency management, the Annual Crisis Intervention Conference serves as a cornerstone for mental health crisis training in Wisconsin. The 23rd Annual Crisis Intervention Conference, held in September 2019 in Wisconsin Dells, was designed to increase knowledge and promote understanding among a diverse array of stakeholders. This conference targeted mental health consumers, family members, administrators, and front-line workers. The target audience included court personnel, law enforcement, school administrators, emergency services personnel, mental health professionals, social workers, hospital professionals, substance abuse professionals, and jail personnel. The event aimed to foster a unified approach to crisis intervention, encouraging anyone seeking to create a positive impact in their community to participate. Additional information and registration details were available through the University of Wisconsin-Stout’s continuing education portal, with contact provided via [email protected] and the phone number 715-346-3838.
Evolution to the 2026 CIT Symposium
The trajectory of Wisconsin’s crisis response infrastructure evolved significantly by 2026, culminating in the NAMI Wisconsin CIT Symposium. Held at the Wisconsin Hotel in Wisconsin Dells from June 2 through June 4, 2026, this symposium strengthened the statewide commitment to compassionate crisis response. The event was structured into three distinct, stand-alone days, allowing attendees to select the sessions most relevant to their specific roles.
On June 2, the CIT Continuing Education Course (CEC) offered an 8-hour training to refresh officers on skills learned during initial Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. June 3 featured the CIT Summit, while June 4 hosted the 4th Annual Co-Responder Summit. This structure reflects a maturing field where law enforcement and mental health professionals collaborate closely. The symposium served as a platform to learn from one another, celebrate progress, and share strategies for improving outcomes when responding to mental health crises.
Specialized Panels and Breakout Sessions
The depth of the 2026 CIT Symposium was evident in its specialized breakout sessions, which addressed nuanced aspects of crisis intervention. On June 3, the CIT Summit featured several key presentations. Rik Kluessendorf, Assistant Corporation Counsel for Ozaukee County, participated in discussions on working with high utilizers of 911. A panel featuring Lacie Weatherholt, Danielle Stanley, Sarah Dillivan-Pospisil, and Tanner Hoversholm explored this topic, highlighting the challenges of repeated crisis contacts. Another significant session, “Responding with Respect: Language Access & Mental Health in Latino Communities,” included Hope Edgren, LSW (Crisis Worker with Madison Police Department), Sydney Davila, and Javier Salazar from the Madison Police Department. Carla Alejo, Director of Hoarding Intervention and Treatment at Catholic Charities of Milwaukee, led a session on unpacking hoarding disorder.
The June 4 Co-Responder Summit introduced a new format with breakout sessions. The keynote, “Behavioral Threat Assessment: A Framework to Prevent Targeted Violence,” featured experts from the Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center. Additional breakout sessions included: - Working with Youth and Families: School Threat Assessment in Practice, featuring Julie Buddenhagen, Ally Molini, Michelle Davison, and Larisa Hildenbrand from Pewaukee schools. - Understanding Elder Abuse and Partnering with Adult Protective Services, with Mike Austin and Dinah LaCaze. - HIPAA Compliant Techniques for Information Sharing, presented by Shanna Sanders. - When Empathy Needs a Limit, featuring Hope Edgren, Sarah Henrickson, and Malorie Elmer.
These sessions demonstrate a comprehensive approach to crisis response, covering threat assessment, inter-agency collaboration, legal compliance, and the emotional limits of providers.
Grassroots Leadership and Community Partnerships
The success of these conferences relies heavily on dedicated local leaders. In Ozaukee County, NAMI established a CIT/CIP Coordinating Team in 2015 with support from Ozaukee Sheriff Jim Johnson. Sgt. Lindsay Graycarek, a member of the original team, has completed 15 CIT trainings and 11 CIP trainings over eight years. She has been instrumental in promoting officer wellness and suicide prevention, sharing personal stories to highlight the importance of peer support. Graycarek ensures officers have immediate access to help by distributing business cards with her cell phone number. Similarly, Deputy Joshua Hopkins formed the Outagamie County S.A.F.E. Program, enabling community members to guide first responders on interacting with individuals in crisis. This bottom-up approach ensures that training is informed by real-world community experiences.
Integrating Mental Health into Community Life
Beyond formal conferences, NAMI Ozaukee actively promotes mental health integration within the community. At the NAMI Wisconsin Annual Conference in Madison in April 2025, members like President Michael Weber, Secretary Donna O’Connell, and others shared insights on recognizing and addressing depression. Key learning areas included listing three positive events daily, maintaining life goals and purpose, adhering to a daily routine, and fostering social connections. These strategies, combined with the resources available in Ozaukee County, illustrate the broader goal of these conferences: not just managing crises, but building resilient, supportive communities.
Conclusion
The progression from the 2019 Governor’s Conference to the 2026 CIT Symposium reveals a sophisticated evolution in Wisconsin’s approach to mental health crises. Early efforts focused on organizational resilience and immediate response, while current initiatives emphasize collaborative co-response models, specialized threat assessment, and community-driven support systems. By integrating law enforcement, mental health professionals, and community stakeholders, Wisconsin continues to refine its crisis intervention framework. This ongoing commitment ensures that crisis response is not merely reactive but proactive, compassionate, and deeply rooted in evidence-based practices.