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KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Looks at One Police Department's Successful Techniques for Managing the Mentally Ill (CORRECTION Mar.19, 2015)

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KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Looks at One Police Department's Successful Techniques for Managing the Mentally Ill  (CORRECTION Mar.19, 2015)

BURBANK, Calif. - March 12, 2015 - SOCAL CONNECTED, , KCET's Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning series looks at how police departments across Ventura County have implemented comprehensive crisis intervention training for all officers. Police departments nationwide are under scrutiny following several high-profile allegations of excessive force, particularly during confrontations with mentally ill populations. In Ventura County, they are working toward the goal of having all officers on the force CIT trained.SOCAL CONNECTED profiles the program and the officers who have implemented one of the most comprehensive trainings in the state. Reporter Cara Santa Maria rides along with an officer on patrol with the Ventura Police Department, and attends a class to see how law enforcement has learned to effectively diffuse situations with the homeless mentally ill.Based on a story from KCET's blog Agenda.

The story airs on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 8 p.m.

This week's SOCAL CONNECTED also features:

Modern Cheerleading: Daring and Dangerous - Cheerleading has morphed into routines that resemble Olympic gymnastics. In hundreds of competitions, flyers are thrown 10, 15, even 20 feet in the air. Emergency room visits for cheerleaders have skyrocketed. Reporter Laura Ling tells the story of a 17-year-old cheerleader who is disabled for life after the force from a catch stopped her heart, causing severe brain damage. Ling also examines what drives teams to take greater risks; asks what parents should know about the dangers of cheerleading and explores efforts to rein in perilous stunts.

Neon Captured on Paper - Neon signs of Los Angeles are the inspiration for artist Dave Lefner, whose meticulous linocuts -- carving in linoleum blocks -- produce exquisite prints. His work draws from neon signs on old liquor stores, restaurants and hotels in downtown L.A. Lefner's art can only be fully appreciated when the time-consuming perfectionism that he brings to every piece is revealed. From KCET's Artbound.

Hummingbirds in Slow Motion - Videographer Tom Tanquary aimed his camera at two baby hummingbirds in a nest near his back door. The result is mesmerizing slow motion footage of a mother nurturing her young from birth to an empty nest.

Broadcast Premiere Date: Wednesday, March 18 at 8 p.m.

Repeated: Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m.

SOCAL CONNECTED is anchored by 16-time Emmy®-Award winner, Val Zavala. Contributors include science journalist Cara Santa Maria, reporters Derrick Shore, Jennifer Sabih, Conor Knighton, documentary filmmaker Nic Cha Kim and writer Nick Hardcastle.

The television broadcast executive producer for SOCAL CONNECTED is Val Zavala; digital executive producer is Zach Behrens; and Linda Burns is senior producer.

ABOUT SOCAL CONNECTED

SOCAL CONNECTED, winner of a Peabody® and two duPont Awards, 23 Emmy® Awards, 24 Golden Mikes, 48 LA Press Club Awards, two Gracie Awards, and four regional and one national Edward R. Murrow Awards, including Best News Documentary and Los Angeles Magazine's "Best New Local TV Program" of 2009, airs exclusively on KCET. For more information, to view episodes online or to leave comments, please visitwww.socalconnected.orgSOCAL CONNECTED is made possible through the generous support of The Ahmanson Foundation, Chapman University and the MaddocksBrown Foundation.

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a service of KCETLink.

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