Trillium Health Resources recognized community volunteers, partner agencies, and first responders at the 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 10 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 preservers life, preserves dignity, and preserves trust.”
More than 20 percent 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,” Trillium representatives indicated. First responders and agencies interested in CIT training can contact CIT@trilliumnc.org.