CDCR and CCHCS Peer Support Program (PSP) administrators and leaders gathered at the Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom to receive advanced training. PSP members from across the State greeted each other with smiles, handshakes, and hugs throughout the check-in process.
PSP is a multidisciplinary employee volunteer force that provides empathy and facilitates a pathway to professional help for all staff. Founded in 1985, PSP is one of the oldest supportive resources for CDCR and CCHCS employees. The Office of Employee Wellness (OEW) oversees PSP statewide and provides guidance and training to local administrators and leaders. PSP administrators and leaders are responsible for managing their local worksite’s PSP Team.
Annual training required for PSP
All PSP team members are required to attend annual training to expand and solidify their peer support skills. This is the first year, since the PSP Standardization in 2021, administrators and leaders attended this training.
Janette Williams, Statewide Wellness Programs Manager, and Ashton Peterson, Statewide PSP Coordinator co-led the two-day training. Using the feedback received from current PSP members, OEW’s PSP Team covered presentations on topics such as:
- Grief and Loss
- How to Support Sexual Assault Survivors
- Team Building & Debriefing
- Effective Communication
- Trauma-Informed Care.
CDCR Secretary Macomber joined and thanked PSP members for their dedication to helping employees. He led an open discussion about worksites concerns and encouraged employees to connect and care for each other.
The Office of Employee Wellness recognizes the value in peers supporting peers and is dedicated to improving and supporting the Peer Support Program. To learn more about your local Peer Support Program team, visit the CDCR Wellness app’s Peer Support Program Module, the Peer Support Program Internet Page, or contact the Peer Support inbox at CDCRPeersupport@cdcr.ca.gov.
Story submitted by Ashton Peterson, Statewide Peer Support Program Coordinator
Office of Employee Wellness
