Introduction
2023 Wisconsin Act 220 required the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) to create and implement a program for the establishment of peer support and critical incident stress management (CISM) teams. This curriculum is intended to be used as a foundation for a training course of at least 16 hours.
When this course is taught by a WI DOJ certified peer support instructor or credentialed health care provider it can be used to meet the requirements for membership on a team certified by WI DOJ through the Public Safety Peer Counseling Certification Program.
Basic Peer Support Course Overview
The Basic Peer Support course is designed to prepare individuals to serve as effective, ethical, and compassionate peer support team members within their organization. Peer support provides an opportunity for individuals to connect with trained coworkers who can offer understanding, encouragement, and guidance during periods of stress, personal difficulty, grief, or exposure to challenging experiences.
Throughout this course, participants will develop an understanding of peer support principles, team operations, ethical responsibilities, confidentiality, communication techniques, mental health awareness, and available support resources. Participants will also explore the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, recognizing signs of emotional distress, supporting healthy coping strategies, and understanding when additional professional assistance is needed.
The course incorporates suicide prevention education through Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), with an emphasis on recognizing potential warning signs, asking appropriate questions, encouraging individuals to accept help, and connecting them with appropriate resources. Practical scenarios and skill demonstrations will allow participants to apply the knowledge and techniques presented throughout the training.
Course Goal
The goal of this course is to equip participants with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and sound judgment necessary to provide appropriate peer support while recognizing the limits of their role and following established organizational policies and procedures.
Learning and Performance Expectations
Participants are expected to engage in course discussions, demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, identify appropriate support resources, and apply the required skills during individual and scenario-based exercises.
Scope of Peer Support
Peer support is intended to provide connection, encouragement, and assistance in accessing appropriate resources. It does not replace professional mental health treatment, clinical assessment, or emergency services. Peer support team members are expected to recognize situations that exceed their training and responsibilities and to seek appropriate professional or emergency assistance when necessary.
Intended Outcome
Upon successful completion of this course, participants should be prepared to fulfill their peer support responsibilities with professionalism, integrity, empathy, and respect while contributing to a supportive organizational culture that values mental health awareness, individual well-being, and access to appropriate assistance.
Course Competencies and Learning Objectives
Basic Peer Support Training Competency and Learning Objectives Form
These guidelines are based on International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recommendations and support agencies in building effective peer support programs for first responders and civilian staff members. They reflect widely accepted best practices and are intended to be flexible so agencies can adapt them to their needs.
Certified instructors are required to use these guidelines as the foundation for designing and delivering their peer support training programs.