Q&A
Explanation of peer support models and staff training programs
1:54:53
·
3 min
Dr. Johnson explains the department's plans for implementing peer support models and resilience training for staff. Council Member Stevens continues to press for more concrete details and timelines.
- Peer support is described as an evidence-based model effective across industries
- DOC acknowledges that law enforcement has been slower to adopt these programs due to stigma
- Plans are in place to implement resiliency training through Desert Waters, starting with a train-the-trainer model in December
- The initial training will involve 20 people, including both academy staff and care unit members
- Stevens expresses frustration with the lack of detailed information and clear implementation plans
Jeremiah Johnson
1:54:53
Good morning, council member.
1:54:54
So peer support is an evidence based model that's shown to be effective across industries.
1:55:01
I would say that for law enforcement, it is a unique context.
1:55:04
And because of the stigma of pursuing support in mental health resources, it has been slower to develop.
1:55:13
So there are national training programs for peer support, but I would say law enforcement is a little bit behind the curve.
1:55:22
When it comes to adopting these programs and actually having dedicated staff to peer support.
1:55:30
So as the commissioner said, there is the the care unit with dedicated officers, veteran officers that respond to these incidents.
1:55:42
But I've been working collaboratively with director Osbourne to identify a training program.
Althea Stevens
1:55:48
I do not identify it.
Jeremiah Johnson
1:55:50
I've I've made recommendations to director Osborne.
Althea Stevens
1:55:53
You have the recommendations in what you've recommended?
Jeremiah Johnson
1:55:57
So like I said, there there is a national organization of peer support.
Althea Stevens
1:56:02
And is that what you're recommending for them to go to those trainings?
1:56:06
I'm I'm just I'm sorry, and I and and you guys keep saying that it's of high importance, but the information seems very lucid.
1:56:12
I, like, I if some my staff is a priority for me because the work that they do is a reflection of me.
1:56:18
So I would literally come in here with a plan like, oh, these are the ones we looked at.
1:56:23
This is what we're looking to get into.
1:56:25
This is what the and I'm not even talking about the the the folks who are incarcerated.
1:56:30
We're talking about your stats.
1:56:32
And so for me, it's just like I I'm asking real questions, like, do you have the the ones that you're recommending?
1:56:38
Do you have them looked into it?
1:56:39
And it's very lucid.
1:56:44
Do you have a name of the program that you guys have looked into?
1:56:47
Are you saying it's the National Institute?
1:56:49
What's the name of it?
1:56:50
Is it have other people been there?
1:56:52
Like, I'm just trying to get what the program is.
Jeremiah Johnson
1:56:54
Sure.
1:56:54
I I can provide that information to you, Edelaine.
1:56:56
Are you
Althea Stevens
1:56:57
gonna send this to us?
1:56:58
Do you have it now?
Jeremiah Johnson
1:56:58
Like, I can send it to you.
UNKNOWN
1:57:05
I'm gonna I'm
Sandy Nurse
1:57:06
gonna I'm
Althea Stevens
1:57:06
gonna list you on the question.
1:57:07
Sure.
1:57:07
If if you guys can send over a breakdown of the programs that you're looking into to to help the peer your the peer officers and cares do this work, what the trainings are, what the expansion of this looks like, because you said you had 10 officers, what does the expansion look like in the next 6 months, what the turnover looks like, because, like, this is your staff.
1:57:28
You would think this would be a a top priority, and I'm sure you're working on it, but it doesn't seem like you wanna share with us.
Jeremiah Johnson
1:57:34
So I may have misunderstood your your question council member in that we are working on resiliency training for all staff.
1:57:42
This is an initiative that would involve both members of care and academy staff that would, through Desert Waters, essentially, deliver resilience training but I understood your question to be about peer support training specifically for the members of of care.
1:58:01
So we are looking to roll out, train the train, inner programming through Desert Waters as early as the 1st 2 weeks of December.
1:58:12
And again, that's resiliency training that both academy instructors and care members would be qualified to deliver to staff across Ryker's Island.
Althea Stevens
1:58:26
So your first round of trainings, new trainings that you're implementing is in December?
Jeremiah Johnson
1:58:30
So this is the train the trainer model.
1:58:32
Mhmm.
Althea Stevens
1:58:33
I know that.
Jeremiah Johnson
1:58:33
Yes.
1:58:34
In this under the yes.
1:58:36
The first half of December.
Althea Stevens
1:58:37
To have in that training?
Jeremiah Johnson
1:58:39
It would be twenty people.
