As we find ourselves in April, CDCR/CCHCS continues implementing new training programs, which commenced in January 2024.
These initiatives align with the California Model, reshaping our state’s approach to incarceration by placing emphasis on employee health and wellness, rehabilitation, education, restorative justice, and community reentry. Available through in-person instruction and CDCR’s Learning Management System (LMS), these programs underscore our unwavering commitment to effecting positive change.
“The 2024 training schedule further underscores the Department’s dedication to crafting and delivering comprehensive trainings that empower employees through education and knowledge expansion,” said Stacy Lopez, Director of the Division of Administrative Services. “These trainings are meticulously designed to educate and equip individuals with the necessary resources and tools to maintain a healthy work/life balance within a correctional setting.”
Recognizing the pivotal role of training in understanding, educating, and empowering our most valuable asset—our employees—the Department is steadfast in its commitment. Moreover, training serves to arm our employees with resources, tools, and skills that extend beyond their careers at CDCR and CCHCS and into their personal lives.
CDCR/CCHCS training initiatives for 2024
Trauma-Informed Organization
This indispensable training, a cornerstone of the California Model, is essential for all staff members. Becoming a Trauma-Informed Organization addresses the root cause of the occupational health crisis within the correctional environment. Participants are equipped to recognize and address trauma’s impacts on both staff and incarcerated individuals, fostering a supportive and trauma-informed atmosphere.
Wellness & Stress Resiliency
Expanding upon previous wellness and stress management training, this program delves into the maintenance of well-being amidst the unique stressors encountered in a correctional setting. Participants explore practical strategies for stress mitigation, mindfulness promotion, resilience-building, and overall health enhancement.
Active Bystandership for CDCR/CCHCS
The Active Bystandership initiative empowers employees to intervene effectively, preventing harm, reducing errors, and promoting overall wellness. Modeled after the national Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement project at Georgetown University, this tailored training ensures relevance and alignment with our organizational needs, incorporating role-play scenarios grounded in research.
Professional Engagement
Centered on building dynamic, equitable, and fulfilling communities within the correctional system, Professional Engagement fosters effective relationships with colleagues, incarcerated individuals, and stakeholders. This approach aligns with our rehabilitative mission, promoting professionalism alongside a personable and safe demeanor.
Dynamic Security, Normalization, Progression
Scheduled to launch in July 2024, this training serves as a cornerstone of the California Model. Dynamic Security cultivates positive relationships through purposeful activities and respectful communication, fostering a safer and more satisfying work environment. Normalization bridges the gap between prison life and community living, emphasizing rehabilitation and successful reintegration. Progression empowers incarcerated individuals to earn privileges, fostering personal development and creating a positive atmosphere for both employees and those under our care.
As we press forward, we eagerly anticipate equipping our employees with the tools and knowledge necessary to spearhead positive change within our correctional facilities and communities. Together, let us forge a future rooted in well-being, rehabilitation, and the core principles of the California Model.
Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.
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