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JULY 20–22, 2026

Resiliency Center | Parkersburg, WV

Sponsors/Vendors

Thank You to our Sponsors!

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Sunday, July 19, 2026 –– Wednesday, July 22, 2026

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

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The Blennerhassett Hotel

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Front Desk Number: 304-422-3131

All guests will need to call the front desk directly to make their reservations.

Mention the WV CIT Summit room block/or Reservation number 89301 when booking.

Meet our Keynote Speakers

Day 1

ERNIE STEVENS

Ernie Stevens, featured on the Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary, Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops and author of Amazon’s best-selling book Mental Health and De-escalation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Professionals will deliver the keynote address at this year’s 988 & CIT Summit.

Ernie is a founding member of the Mental Health Unit at the San Antonio Police Department, has been featured in more than 48 publications, and proudly served as a police officer for 28 years. He continues to serve and strengthen communities in by establishing Crisis Intervention Teams and through his work as Deputy Director at The Council of State Governments Justice Center.

Day 2

JOE ROBERTS

Joe Roberts, aka The Skidrow CEO is an expert on resilience and change. Having experienced both catastrophic failure and extraordinary success Joe teaches how to overcome the roadblocks that get in the way of high performance. He helps organizations and individuals redefine what’s truly possible by confronting limiting mindsets. Participants at Joes’ events leave inspired and moved to action.

What is most amazing about Joe is that in 1989 he was living on the streets of Vancouver as a homeless skid row addict. Through perseverance, determination and his resilient human spirit, Joe pulled himself out of darkness and despair, to become a highly respected business and community leader.

AGENDA

Monday July 20

9:00am – 5:00pm

Welcome
- Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce
"The Memphis Model - How One City Transformed Law Enforcement Response to Mental Health Crisis Intervention."
- Officer Jeff Rose, Memphis PD
Keynote: Community Collaboration
- Ernie Stevens, Author and Retired Officer San Antonio PD
One Domino at a Time: Using CIT to Change Crisis Response
- Chasity Lambert, CIT and CARES Health Program Manager for Mecklenburg County Public Health Department.
- Johanna Covault, CIT Coordinator for Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, NC.
- John Osborn, CIT Coordinator and Veterans Specialist for Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, NC
Closing the Gaps: How Situation Tables Strengthen Crisis Response and Community Collaboration
- Situation Table (Kentucky)
From Crisis to Community: Why West Virginia needs Clubhouses as the Next Step in Recovery
- Carrie Lemos, Director
- Jack Williams, Member Unlimited Solutions Clubhouse Bangor, Maine
H.O.M.E. Court: Addressing Homelessness Through Criminal Justice and Community Partnerships.
- Home Court
Carrying the Weight: Canine-Assisted First Responder Wellness & Resilience
- Andrea Hering
- John Hunt, CEO and COO of Crisis Canines New Jersey

Tuesday July 21

8:30am – 4:00pm

Real Talk from the Front Lines
- Steve Bennett, Director Crisis Services Valley Health Care
- Joseph Ellison
- David Hodges Captain Charleston Fire Department
COMPASS Huntington: An Embedded Approach to Mental and Physical Wellness for First Responders
- Amy Hanshaw, Compass Physical Fitness Coach;
- Jamie Springston Compass Wellness Coach
WV CIT Awards Luncheon
Vandalia Health Community Connect: Redefining Health Care Outside the Clinic Walls
Keynote: From Skid Row to CEO; The Call that Changed My Life
- Joe Roberts, The Skidrow CEO

Wednesday July 22

8:30am – 12:00pm

WVSP Angel Initiative: New Tools for Helping the Community
- Lt. Ken Murray WVSP
WV Rap Sessions: Defining Needs at the Local Level
- Lata Menon, CEO FCS
Blue Envelope: Improving Safety for the Most Vulnerable
- Walter Hall, WV House of Delegates
WV Crisis Receiving Centers
- Candace Nelson, Chief Clinical Officer of Community Programs Southern Highlands
Updates from the WV First Foundation
- Jonathan Board, Executive Director WV First Foundation
Closing Remarks
- Dr. Steven Loyd, Director WV Office of Drug Control Policy

On June 23 - 25, 2025, we held the 3rd annual WV 988 & CIT SUMMIT at Four Points by Sheraton in Charleston.
The Summit was attended by leaders in law enforcement, EMS, 911, and behavioral health.