Establishing a Peer Support Program for your agency is the benchmark of building a resilient organization. Trained peers learn the skills and techniques needed to provide the day-to-day support work that peers require to manage the occupational stress associated with being a first Responder. From the ASAP training, peers will learn psychological first aid and second aid, and will become certified as paraprofessionals in the ASAP training protocol.
ASAP Trained Peer Support Officers can help their department support emergency responders in the immediate aftermath of responding to critical incidents
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VCRW helps agencies establish a Peer Support Program
As a former police officer and trauma-focused therapist, Sonny’s goal is to help first responders integrate life(s) experiences into who they have become, so they can live a happy, healthy, and meaningful life. We cannot change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in a first responder’s life.
By applying complementary therapy approaches, actively engaging in Peer to Peer Support, and implementing the most recent Mental Health and Wellness policies, we will help your agency and members become well-rounded and productive individuals.
Together we will work to deter long-standing negative behavior patterns or perceptions that may be holding a member back from experiencing a more meaningful life both on and off the job.
How to get Started with Peer Support
- Contact VCRW and we will assist you in moving forward.
- We will help you creat a priority list of needs and wants and help you tailor it to your soecific agency
- Determine/establish a reasonable budget for this program (per member or total program)
- Determine key stake holders to help move this program forward
VCRW's Peer Support Services
VCRW provides virtual or In person training and consulting to all of our agencies. We will customize the training and services to your department needs, goals, and budget.
Consultation Services & Training
Agency Policy Creation & Review
Mental Health and Wellness Policy
Peer Support Program Policy
Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) Policy
Critical Incident/Mass Casualty Response Policy
Wellness Program Implementation
Peer Support Program Management
Vetting of In-house Clinical Services
Work-Related Clinical Mental Health Assessment
Pre-hire Interview Screening
Comprehensive PTSD Evaluations
Individual Clinical Support Therapy Services
Academy/Field Training Support and Crisis
Peer Support Team Training
Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP) Training
VCRW does not offer CISD/CISM training however ASAP training does complement current CISD practices
24/7/365 Emergency/Critical Incident Response Support (virtual and in-person)
VCRW provides 24/7 support for to your agency in the immediate aftermath of responding to a critical incident.
The following types of incidents should result in some type of follow up support.
Line of Duty Death/Death of a Member
Serious Injury of a Member
Family Member’s Death/Serious Injury
Officer Involved Shooting
Disaster or Mass Casualty Incident
Death of a Child Incident
Significant event where the victims are relatives/friends of a member
Events that seriously threaten the lives of members
Death Notification calls for service
COVID related stressors on members
Where a member is (temp/perm) being relieve of duty
Significant Fatal MV Crashes
Any event that has significant emotional power to overwhelm the members
Additionally, we make sure your agency’s ASAP-trained paraprofessionals have the resources they need to administer their peers and have a local option for follow up with culturally competent and vetted EMDR therapists.
In House VCRW Services
Yoga (Virtual or In-person)
Mindfulness and Self-Care
Stress and Trauma
Bio-feedback & Assessment
Nutritional Support
Financial Management Support
Other specialized trainings as requested
Peer Support Specialist Cpl Jaime Bressler on self care in policing