First Responder Peer Support Services Grants

First Responder Peer Support Services Grants is sponsored by Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Provides funding to first responder entities in Washington for implementing or expanding peer support services programs.

First Responder Wellness Program | Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission WSCJTC's First Responder Wellness Program The mission of the First Responder Wellness Program is to assist first response agencies across the state with their efforts to foster positive mental and physical well-being amongst their personnel, with the goal of eliminating occurrences of job-related post-traumatic stress and suicide.

Upcoming Course Registration The Washington State First Responder Wellness Program, established in 2024 through House Bill 231 1 , addresses wellness, PTSD, and suicide amongst first responders through several different efforts and training programs. In accordance with RCW 5. 60.

060, “first responders” include law enforcement officers, limited authority law enforcement officers (as defined in RCW 10. 93. 020), firefighters, emergency services dispatchers and recordkeepers, emergency medical personnel, current or former members of the Washington national guard acting in an emergency response capacity, coroners and medical examiners and their agents/employees, and co-responders (as defined in RCW 71.

24. 025). Four-Year First Responder Wellness Task Force Training for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professionals Development of a Peer Support Network Program offerings to help peer supporters address the vicarious trauma experienced by serving as a peer supporter.

Development and Maintenance of a Directory of Culturally Competent Mental Health and Substance use Disorder Professional A directory of mental health and substance use disorder professionals that have received training and/or have been vetted to be identified as culturally competent to assess and treat first responders.

First Responder Wellness Summit: Caring for Ourselves during the Overdose Crisis WSCJTC is co-sponsoring the First Responder Wellness Summit, which will be held September 23, 2026, in Seattle, Washington . Registration closes September 4th.

This one-day summit brings together professionals from law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections, parks, co-response teams, dispatch, medical examiners, and peer support to explore how to strengthen first responder well-being amidst the current drug overdose crisis and in their lives more broadly.

Through a keynote presentation, panels, and interactive discussions, participants will hear from first responders and people in recovery and learn practical tools and strategies that support first responder well-being. Register Here Download Flyer 💙Code 4 Northwest Conference: Strength to Service, Power in Wellness WSCJTC is partnering with Code 4 Northwest to share a wellness training opportunity for Washington’s first responders.

The Code 4 Northwest Conference will be held Nov. 4-6, 2026, in Everett, Washington . The conference is open to active and retired first responders from across the state.

This event is designed for people who work in high-stress public safety roles and those who have served in those roles. Training will focus on wellness, peer connection, and practical support for first responders, agencies, and families. No matter your badge, patch, or uniform, your wellness matters.

Register Here Download Flyer First Responder Training Courses Offered Training is provided, free of charge, to first responders interested in becoming a peer supporter or implementing a peer support program within their agency.

The following elements of this program are offered to provide a comprehensive approach to first responder wellness: Basic Peer Support Training This course provides attendees with the basic knowledge and skills needed to serve as a peer supporter.

40 hours, offered seven times per year Advanced Peer Support Training This course enhances the training received in the basic course and helps peer supporters better understand what they have learned and experienced.

16 hours, offered three times per year E xecutive Peer Support Training This course is intended for leaders of first response agencies (i.e., police chiefs, fire chiefs, sheriffs, executive directors, etc.) to help them understand peer support and the critical role organizational executives play in the success of peer support programs.

16 hours, offered two times per year Training for Family Members of First Responders This course helps family members of first responders better understand the experience and personal impacts of first response work, as well as how to recognize when a loved one is suffering from PTSD and what resources are available to assist, when needed.

4 hours, offered two times per year Training for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professionals Training is provided, free of charge, to help mental health and substance use disorder professionals better understand the work, impacts of the work, culture, and professional barriers to seeking help that first responders face so they can more effectively assess and treat first responders in need of mental health or substance use disorder services.

8 hours, offered four times per year Upcoming CJTC Course Registration Check back periodically for updates.

Course Information and Registration Link First Responder Wellness Summit: Caring for Ourselves During the Overdose Crisis University of Washington – HUB Ballroom Basic Peer Support Course Mt Vernon Fire Department – Station 2 Basic Peer Support Course SHIELD Training for MH and SUD Professionals Port Angeles Fire Department Code 4 Northwest Conference: Strength to Service, Power SHIELD Training for MH and SUD Professionals Basic Peer Support Course Spokane County Sheriff’s Office SHIELD Training for MH and SUD Professionals Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority SHIELD Training for MH and SUD Professionals Bellingham Police Department Bellingham, WA Basic Peer Support Course Clark County Jail (Juke Jensen Sports Park) 4000 NE 78th St Vancouver, WA 98665 SHIELD Training for MH and SUD Professionals Walla Walla Fire Department Walla Walla, WA About the First Responder Wellness Task Force The First Responder Wellness Task Force is made up of a diverse representation of the first responder community, mental health professionals, and representatives from state and tribal agencies.

This four-year Task Force is charged with developing model policies for first responder peer support programs and making recommendations for improving first responder wellness, as well as managing and preventing PTSD and suicide amongst first responders. Upcoming Courses and Registration PDF Model Peer Support Policy Toryono (Tory) Green | First Responder Wellness Program Manager toryono. green@cjtc.

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