Panel at the COSSUP Forum 2023
Title: COSSUP Forum 2023 Panel- Promising Practices for Implementing Peer Recovery Support Services Into Deflection Programs
Every day, law enforcement and other first responders encounter individuals suffering from the effects of substance use and mental health conditions, homelessness, or poverty. Through deflection, law enforcement and other first responders provide linkages to treatment and services, improving public health and safety outcomes within the community. As the field of deflection has grown, first responder agencies across the country have begun to see the value of adding peer recovery support services (PRSS) into their programs to assist in engagement within the community. This multidisciplinary approach utilizes community resources and partnerships to provide a holistic response that maximizes recovery opportunities for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges. This session discusses the promising practices for implementing PRSS into deflection initiatives. The Duluth, Minnesota, Substance Use Response Team; the Stanly County, North Carolina, Community Paramedicine Program; and the Winthrop, Massachusetts, Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) Program will be highlighted as promising practices models, and representatives from these programs will share their lessons learned on the integration of peer support within their respective departments. In addition, a peer will discuss their experience navigating the integration of peer roles into law enforcement and other first responder deflection teams.
Learning Objectives
Identify the benefits of incorporating peers into law enforcement and other first responder settings.
Establish considerations around policies protecting peer roles.
Analyze training and supervision opportunities for peers within law enforcement and first responder settings.
Presenters
Mickenzie Simmons, MA
Behavioral Health Analyst, Community Health Division, Altarum
Hope Fiori, MPPA
Acting Director, National Deflection Technical Assistance Center, Center for Health and Justice, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities
Sarko Gergerian, MS, MHC, CARC
Lieutenant, Winthrop Police Department, Winthrop, Massachusetts
Mike Campbell, EMT-P
Deputy Chief, Training Division Chief, Stanly County Emergency Medical Services, Stanly County, North Carolina
Jess Nickila, PRS
Substance Use Response Team Program Coordinator/Peer Recovery Specialist, Duluth Police Department, Duluth, Minnesota
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