County To Provide Secondary Trauma Training To Officers

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Department of Corrections will provide secondary trauma training to all its officers. The training will improve jail conditions for detainees and working conditions for officers by giving officers instruction on the best way to deal with the significant stresses of their jobs.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said the men and women of the corrections department have some of the most challenging tasks in all of county government.

"Taking care of an individual’s mental health on the job is just as important as taking care of one’s physical health,” he said.

This innovative service will be conducted by Westchester Jewish Community Services, the county’s largest provider of licensed outpatient mental health services and a leader in offering training to first responder agencies.

Secondary trauma refers to the duress an individual experiences when working with individuals who themselves are undergoing significant stress, according to a county spokesperson. Those working with individuals who are constantly under stress can experience symptoms of trauma.

Left untreated, secondary trauma can cause significant disruption to the lives of individuals and detract from their ability to conduct their professional responsibilities. Secondary trauma training provides techniques to deal with the emotional toll of an individual’s job, recognize the warning signs for those experiencing trauma and offers resources on where to go for help.

The Department of Corrections now offers 33 rehabilitative and reentry programs, designed to prepare those detained for life outside jail. The programs also create a calmer and more secure environment for detainees and officers.

Secondary trauma training will be conducted by WJCS at the Valhalla Campus. The sessions, conducted by a psychologist or senior clinician, last approximately 90 minutes. Approximately 35 officers participate in each session. The sessions cover the elements of secondary trauma, techniques for self-care to deal with the stresses that are part of the officers’ jobs and where individuals can go for further assistance.

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