Michael Botieri of O2SL & QRT National speaks at the Situation Table training, which took place at the Braintree Police Department on June 13-14. (Photo courtesy Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National) 
Dave Batchelor of O2SL & QRT National speaks at the Situation Table training, which took place at the Braintree Police Department on June 13-14. Larry Sweeney of O2SL & QRT National stands behind. (Photo courtesy Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National) Megan Scott, Clinical Coordinator for the Braintree Police Department, discusses area resources at the Situation Table training, which took place at the Braintree Police Department on June 13-14. (Photo courtesy Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National) Dan Cortez of O2SL & QRT National speaks at the Situation Table training, which took place at the Braintree Police Department on June 13-14. (Photo courtesy Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National)
BRAINTREE – Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National recently delivered training to several South Shore communities on the Situation Table model, a strategy that facilitates multi-agency interventions for those at risk of experiencing a crisis.
The training was provided by the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (PAARI), funded as one of the many Pre-Arrest Diversion and Deflection strategies the organization supports. The two-day training took place from June 13-14 at the Braintree Police Department and was delivered by instructors from O2SL & QRT National.
The training focused on preparing the attending agencies to form a Situation Table. A Situation Table is a unique, risk-based rapid triage model that brings together multiple human service providers to address situations where individuals and/or families are facing a specific threshold of Acutely Elevated Risk.
Through the model, an individual or family at Acutely Elevated Risk would be referred to the Situation Table for consideration of possible intervention before a crisis occurs. The Table participants will collaborate and discuss the identified risk factors and possible services. Upon reaching a consensus, the Table would identify a team of agencies to attempt to locate the individual or family and connect them to services.
Once formed, the Situation Table will be comprised of law enforcement officers and clinicians from the seven communities in the Quincy District Court region — Braintree, Quincy, Randolph, Cohasset, Milton, Holbrook and Weymouth. Currently, the communities are in the process of launching a Situation Table that will encompass all seven communities. Over 30 representatives from several of these communities attended the training.
At the conclusion of the two-day training, participants were asked to describe their experience as well as how they felt moving forward. Participants noted feeling hopeful, ready and 100% on board with the initiative. Participants also shared that the training was impactful, collaborative and provided them with resources and the opportunity to help.
“The Situation Table model is rooted in collaboration and knowledge sharing and is a valuable initiative for community service providers to reach those at risk of experiencing a behavioral health crisis, providing needed intervention and services before a crisis occurs,” said Michael Botieri, O2SL & QRT National Vice President of Business Development. “We thank PAARI for their partnership in providing the training and the Braintree Police Department for hosting us, and look forward to seeing how the Situation Table will make an impact in these communities.”
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