Why choose The National Law Enforcement & First Responder Wellness Center?
There are actuallv many reasons that separate TheNational Law Enforcement & First Responder Wellness Center from other treatment centers that tout a Public Safety Wellness Program or track. Why do over 300, both large and small police and fire departments, choose to trust us with their most valuable asset, their human capital?
First, it is the Team
Our team is made up of active and retired police officers, firefighters, SWAT medics, EMT’s, military veterans and mobile crisis personnel that have 500 years of combined public service experience and 125 years of combined personal recovery and they are licensed therapists, professional interventionists, crisis negotiators and Critical Incident Response Specialists.
In addition to the highly trained First Responder Team, a support team of approximately seventy team members consisting of nursing and medical staff that includes a triple-boarded psychiatrist, counselor aides, adjunct therapists, guest lecturers, fitness trainers, yoga and Pilates instructors and regional Peer Support personnel that stand ready to serve and assist the team in any way.
Second, it's the Service
Depending on the circumstances of the first call, an inquiry could mobilize a small team of experts to your agency (at no charge) to aid in an intervention on a non-compliant or officer expressing treatment hesitancy. A brief telephonic assessment of the patient or situation will determine if our trained intervention team needs to be deployed or fi transportation provided by us is in order. Within 200 miles of our facility, our Critical Incident Response Team will marshal the necessary resources to pick up that officer or first responder and transport him/her safely to treatmentwithin hours of the first call when possible, at no charge to the officer or agency. Our motto “We fix Broken Blue”, means that we will get that officer out of harms way and intoa safe treatment environment that includes a thorough bio-psycho-social assessment and an in-depth psychiatric assessmentalmost immediately upon admission. Our medical team is prepared for admissions 24 hours/day that receive expert medical and psychiatric care that includes detox where comfort medications are dispensed by our highly trained emergency-room nursing staff that provide 24 hour a day monitoring and assessments.
Third, it's the Program
The treatment program at the National Law Enforcement & First Responder Wellness Center, focuses on the immediate crisis first, which may include detoxification and psychiatric stabilization before integration into the patient community. Great care is taken to examine the individual’s profile, personality, and circumstances before being assigned to a specific therapist who specializes in their needs. A complete team of experts who are first responders themselves are available
to provide whatever therapeutic modality is needed to move the patient forward in their treatment. Daily therapy includes individual and small group therapy as well as psychiatric care as needed.
The First Responders Program is designed to cover thoroughly the disease process and the progression as a chronic illness. Small Experiential Group Therapy daily, lectures on the Neurobiology of addiction, Irrational Beliefs, fear in recovery, shame, guilt and vulnerability, Cognitive distortions, spirituality and recovery are just a sample of the many recovery topics that are covered while in treatment.
The Disease and Recovery process along with relapse prevention including identifying triggers and craving management are the core areas of the program followed by good healthcare decision making in recovery that is addressed in the continuing care plan that may include an outpatient referraland Peer Support connections.
For those patients identified as requiring trauma therapy, they will be seen by our therapists that specialize in EMDR and Brain Spotting Therapy. Many are followed after their discharge from inpatient treatment and continue beyond their outpatient experience.
Our Approach
The bottom line is we treat a fellow brother or sister with dignity and respect. Loving support unmatched anywhere to help bolster confidence, promote self-forgiveness, and encourage rapid regrowth and recovery full of hope. We never sit in judgement.
Whether it’s an EAP, departmental medical director, Wellness coordinator, Command Staff or a Peer Team member, our communication throughout the continuum of care, including the continuing care or aftercare plan is timely and complete. Our goal is to send back an officer or firefighter that is “mission ready”, free from theirself-destructive addiction with a roadmap to continuing recovery thatthey can share with others that are suffering.
There is no place like the National Law Enforcement & First Responder Wellness Center at Harbor of Grace, where a public safety officer or first responder can get exemplary treatment and care in a safe setting where dignity and respect are paramount. We love fixing “Broken Blue”.
