Description

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce the First Responder Wellness Week Webinar Series, taking place from March 25-29, 2024. 

DCJS is committed to increasing the resources and training available for first responder wellness. As part of this initiative, this series of webinars will train first responders in various wellness topics. Please join us for one, or all, of these important events as we continue to improve the health and wellness of the most important pieces of our safety and well-being. Funding for this training series is provided through the Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant Training Program.

Webinars:

Monday, March 25, 2024; 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Unresolved Trauma - Why It's Never Too Late to Heal
Jonathan Hickory – Master Police Officer – Albemarle Police Department, Virginia 

Master Police Officer and award-winning author Jonathan Hickory walks you through his story of a life of unresolved trauma: how it almost destroyed him and his family forever, and how facing the trauma began a seemingly impossible but ultimately victorious road to recovery. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2024; 10:00AM – 11:30 AM
Cognitive Fitness for First Responders by My Steady Mind
Dr. Seth Hickerson – Founder – My Steady Mind Cognitive Fitness 

This webinar will introduce participants to the benefits of cognitive fitness training for first responders. Cognitive fitness training equips you with tools, techniques, and practical tactics that instantly reduce stress and enables you to perform in flow state. This course provides fundamental knowledge and practical skills necessary to optimize performance in high-pressure situations. Cognitive fitness is a blend of emotional intelligence training, neuroscience, sport, psychology, and mindfulness. 

Dr. Hickerson specializes in providing coaching and training to professionals working in high stress environments, developing strategic ways to recognize stress and improve performance. His past clients include law-enforcement, US Navy, professional athletes, NASA and other professionals. 

The webinar will focus on proactive training techniques to develop simple mental routines to reduce exhaustion and burn out. 

Wednesday, March 27, 2024; 10:00AM – 11:00 AM
Spiritual Wellness for First Responders
Gareth Stephenson – Police Chaplain – Shield Chaplaincy 

In this webinar, Gareth Stephenson, a police chaplain in western Virginia, will discuss philosophies of wellness and why first responders should focus on spiritual wellness. Gareth recounts his own journey with spiritual wellness and how to achieve it. Available resources for first responders will also be discussed. 
 

Thursday, March 28, 2024; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Fueling Our Heroes: Unlocking Peak Performance and Longevity for Military Veterans and First Responders
Kelly Richards – Adaptive Warriors

Kelly Richards is a renowned figure in the field of wellness and trauma recovery. She had an integral part in the creation of a Wellness Committee for the New Castle Police Department in Delaware. Topics to be discussed include nutrition, diet composition, meal planning and implementing change.  

Friday, March 29, 2024; 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Panel Discussion – First Responder Wellness Initiatives
Maggie Deboard – Police Chief – Herndon Police Department, Virginia
Jaysyn Carson – Lieutenant – Herndon Police Department, Virginia
Michael Gresham – Chief Wellness Officer – Virginia State Police 
Keith Johnson – System Chief – Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System, Virginia 
Kristina Moore – Behavioral Health Coordinator - Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System, Virginia
Adam Blevins – Operations Manager – Virginia Law Enforcement Program (VALEAP)

In this panel discussion, panelists will speak about first responder wellness initiatives that they have with their respective agencies. 

Who should attend?

This training is open to any and all first responder groups, including but not limited to, law enforcement, fire/EMS, EMTs, dispatchers and corrections. These webinars are also open to retired first responders. 

Partial In-service Credit

Partial In-service Credit (PIC) will not be available.

Cost

There is no fee to attend this training.