301354

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: January 21, 2011  Amends - GO 4.6.13 (January 30, 2009) Number: 4.6.13 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: January Reviewing Authority: HRD / Employee and Labor Relations Subject: Peer Support Program This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to assist agency members in coping with stress related traumatic events through a Peer Support Pro gram. 2. Policy It shall be the policy of this agency to provide each member the opportunity to meet and talk to peers who have experienced a similar traumatic incident/situation. This shall be accomplished through a Peer Support Program comprised of spe cifically trained Peer Support persons. 3. Definitions A. Peer Support Advisory Board – sworn or non -sworn, Peer Support team members who are responsible for maintaining liaison between the Peer Support Team and the Mental Health Consultant. B. Peer Support Pe rson (PSP) – sworn or non-sworn, is a volunteer, specifically trained colleague, not a counselor or therapist. C. Mental Health Consultant – a departmentally authorized, credentialed Mental Health professional. D. Traumatic Incident/Situation – an emotionally overwhelming and/or unexpected event that has the potential to cause a strong emotional response or reaction. 4. Procedures A. The Peer Support Program will be administered by a Peer Support Advisory Board in conjunction with a Mental Health Consultant. Pee r Support personnel will consist of sworn and non -sworn members who have been chosen from volunteers within the agency, have received recommendations from their supervisors and/or peers, and have successfully completed the mandated training for Peer Suppor t persons. B. Confidentiality 4.6.13 , Page 2 of 3 1. It shall be the responsibility and duty of all Peer Support persons, while acting in this capacity, to keep information communicated to them confidential. Topics discussed and the name of personnel involved in one on one int erventions will be maintained in the strictest confidence. 2. Limits of a Peer Support person’s confidentiality should be consistent with law and departmental policy and may include the following: a. Threats to self b. Threats to specific persons c. Felonies as sp ecified by the agency d. Serious misdemeanors as specified by the agency e. Child, spouse or elderly abuse 3. A Peer Support person provides emotional support for agency members involved in traumatic incidents. He/she is not an investigator involved in any administrative and/or criminal investigation of the traumatic incident. 4. Peer Support personnel do not provide information to supervisors and should advise supervisors of the confidentiality guidelines established by the department. 5. Confidentiality provision s apply to one -on-one sessions conducted by licensed Mental Health professionals pursuant to applicable law. 6. One of the most important responsibilities of a Peer Support person is the promotion of trust, anonymity and confidentiality for employees who see k the assistance of the Peer Support Program. Therefore, no formal documentation will be made; however, limited records of peer contacts may be maintained for statistical purposes only. C. Activation and Notification 1. Trained Peer Support personnel shall be available for the following types of stressful incidents: a. All law enforcement shootings b. Traffic related incidents c. Serious injury or death related incidents d. Other incidents as determined by the Peer Support Advisory Board and the Mental Health Consultant . 2. The name, telephone and/or pager number of Peer Support personnel will be posted throughout the agency for the benefit of all employees. 3. Every effort will be made to match Peer Support persons with personnel under stress based on the similarity of thei r traumatic incident. 4. Peer Support persons may be activated or accessed by any of the following means: a. On scene, following an incident b. Following a formal debriefing 4.6.13 , Page 3 of 3 c. Initiated by the employee seeking peer support d. Initiated by a Peer Support person e. Referral to a Peer Support Program Advisory Board member or the Mental Health Consultant. D. Responsibilities 1. Peer Support Persons a. Complete a screening process to determine suitability to serve in this capacity. b. Complete the initial Peer Support training and atte nd additional training as mandated. c. Provide Peer Support on a voluntary basis, either on or off duty (services must be freely accepted by the involved employee). d. Maintain confidentiality as described in Section B. e. Maintain a reasonable effort to remain ava ilable to the individual and offer additional support if necessary. f. Consult with an Advisory Board member or the Mental Health Consultant as deemed necessary. 2. Peer Support Advisory Board Members of the Advisory Board are Peer Support persons with the foll owing additional responsibilities: a. Maintain liaison between Peer Support persons and the Mental Health Consultant. b. Recruit prospective candidates for the Peer Support Program. c. Serve as an initial contact point for referrals to the Peer Support Program. d. Help identify training needs for the members. 3. Mental Health Consultant a. Screen potential Peer Support personnel. b. Be available to consult with Peer Support personnel. c. Verify that Peer Support personnel receive initial and on -going training. d. Maintain non-identifying statistical data related to utilization of the program. e. Serve as an initial contact point