CIT-RI Team

Each region of the state has a certified CIT Coordinator that supports a community steering committee, organizes local trainings, and offers technical assistance to anyone looking to develop or grow their CIT program.

Jan Jackson, LMHC, QMHP

Urban Core Regional CIT Coordinator (Pawtucket, Central Falls, North Providence, Cranston, Providence)

After graduating with her Master’s and CAGS in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Salve Regina University, Jan enjoyed working in multiple non-profit agencies where she have held positions modeled for co-response crisis intervention with police and EMS, as well as post-crime victim resource provision.

Email: JanJa@thundermisthealth.org

Phone: 401-785-7405

Jennifer Lawrence

Eastern RI CIT Regional Coordinator (East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton)

Jenn Lawrence is the Eastern RI regional coordinator on the CIT-RI team. She is a graduate of Rhode Island College. She began working in the mental health field in 2005 and has worked in various settings within the field, including mental health centers, homeless shelters, group homes and psychiatric hospitals. Jenn also has experience as an EMT.

Email: JenniferLaw@thundermisthealth.org

Phone: 401-284-2657

Simone Ethier, MSW, LCSW

Northern RI CIT Regional Coordinator (Burrillville, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Scituate, Smithfield)

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Simone’s background includes 7+ years of experience working in various sectors of the health care field with individuals and families across the lifespan. Whether through direct practice in the community serving as a mental health case manager, at the facility level working in a nursing home, integrating social work with medical care on the outpatient level in health centers, coordinating complex member health care needs at the insurance level, or supporting individuals and families at end of life – these roles have all afforded her an extensive knowledge of the medical and behavioral health systems within our small and great state of Rhode Island. As a Lincoln town native, she is very excited to be developing the CIT program in the Northern region.

Email: SimoneE@thundermisthealth.org

Phone: 401-360-1596

Sarah Begin

Southern RI Regional Coordinator (Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Block Island, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Richmond, Westerly)

Sarah Begin is the Southern RI CIT Regional Coordinator on the CIT-RI team. Sarah strengthens our team with an extensive medical administrative background that will help navigate community needs and public healthcare systems. Her families lived experience of mental health crisis support by positive police de-escalation inspired her to redirect her career. She lives locally in South Kingstown with her fiancée and blended family of seven children.

Email: SarahBe@thundermisthealth.org

Phone: 401-360-2093

Caitlin Gomes

Statewide Mental Health Coordinator

Caitlin’s career began almost 15 years ago when she worked as a substance abuse therapist at the RI Department of Corrections. Upon completion of her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at RI College, in 2016, Caitlin began working as an emergency services clinician. She has worked in multiple settings across the emergency response system including community mental health agencies, emergency departments, police and fire departments. Caitlin is passionate about proving information and education about mental health and substance use disorders, and started as one of our expert presenters prior to joining our team full time.

Email: CaitlinGo@thundermisthealth.org

Phone: 401-744-0597

Jaime Baird

Training Coordinator

Jaime Baird is the training coordinator on the CIT-RI team. She is a recent graduate from Roger Williams University with a degree in criminal justice and psychology; she is currently working towards her master’s degree in criminal justice. Before joining the team, Jaime was a research assistant at Roger Williams doing evaluation work on the CIT-RI program.

Email: JaimeBa@thundermisthealth.org

Phone: 401-309-0982

Liz Gledhill

Statewide CIT Coordinator and CIT Project Manager

Liz has been with the CIT-RI program since it began in 2019. A South Kingstown local, Liz is married to a retired first responder and has deep roots within her community. She has experience advocating for children and families within foster care, victims of abuse, and for marginalized populations. She is currently working on her masters in public health and expects to graduate in May ‘24.

Email: LizG@thundermisthealth.org

Phone: 401-360-2592

We use cookies to improve your experience and to help us understand how you use our site. Please refer to our cookie notice and privacy statement for more information regarding cookies and other third-party tracking that may be enabled.