Tennessee Law Enforcement and Family Support (LEAFS) Project

摘要

The Tennessee Sheriffs' Association, Inc. was awarded a Grant to 'develop, demonstrate and test innovative stress-reduction and support programs for State or local law enforcement personnel and their families.' With the support of the National Institute of Justice, the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association, worked in partnership with the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Law -- Enforcement Training Academy located in Nashville, Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN and the National Office of the Concerns of Police Survivors. Over an 18-month program, we developed a framework of stress-related services on a statewide basis for law enforcement personnel and their families. The services cover a range of activities from on-scene defusings to group therapy for families, children and couples. Its focus is the early recognition and provision of services, which preserves confidentiality while utilizing extensive peer support. Services were developed and implemented in conjunction with the provisions of health insurance and the development of a dialogue with service provider networks. In this respect, a model of services needed for effective support of the law enforcement community was established.