Curious about starting a wellness program at your agency? Here are the steps you can take to create this:
Create Wellness Committee Who Can Steer The Process
1. Email out an Anonymous Survey to all staff to gather input and interest in wellness program components
2. Ask which staff are utilized already for support (this can assist in Peer Support Team creation)
3. Ask which therapists are already utilized with good experiences
4. Ask which program components there is interest in (all staff check ins, access to employer paid therapy sessions (with no diagnoses necessary), on-site services to build familiarity with the clinician(s), in-house wellness training, peer support team, support for spouses/kids, nutrition counseling, functional movement assessments, financial wellness, etc.)
Determine budget for the program and approval from anywhere it is needed (admin, HR, city manager, etc.)
If a Peer Support Team is being developed, register for training (30 hours, we provide this POST approved training)
5. Interview and choose a clinician who has training and experience specifically with law enforcement and public safety and determine next steps with them. Make sure to communicate the program components clearly to all staff and keep materials and contact info posted in high traffic areas, send out regularly by email and by word of mouth especially after critical incidents and tough calls