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Wellness 2025

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Presented by the NFOP Division of Officer Wellness Officer WellnessSummit 2025February 17-18, 2025Sheraton Music CityNashville, TennesseeSponsored by:

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The National Fraternal Order of Police is deeply committed toimproving the lives and wellness of law enforcement officersand their families. Realizing that wellness is holistic, the NFOPDivision of Officer Wellness has assembled a top-tier eventfeaturing an interactive format and expanded course offeringson various topics in wellness for police officers, their families,and clinicians serving law enforcement clients.OverviewFeatures:Over 20 different presentations on current wellness topics featuringnationally renowned speakers.Expert panel discussions on topics most current in law enforcementwellness.Opportunities to participate in hands-on wellness activities.A variety of training sessions which will ensure participants carry away awealth of wellness tools.Opportunities to learn more about FOP Vetted & Approved WellnessPrograms and Providers.The Blue Family Networking Room is a space where family members whotravel with attendees can gather to meet and fellowship with other lawenforcement families.When: February 17-18, 2025Location: Sheraton Music City | Nashville, TNRegistration Types:Attendee - $425Spouse (with Attendee) - $210Graduate Student - $180Registration deadline is February 3, 2025.Attendees are encouraged to bring their partners/spouses, as we increase the focus onfamilies. Students that would like to attend must be at least 21 years of age and must be currentlyenrolled in a graduate level program in a relevant discipline.

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HotelInformation777 McGavock PikeNashville, TN 37214615-885-2200Sheraton Music CityGroup Room Rate: $160 + TaxDeadline for booking rooms at the group rate is January 20, 2025.DetailsParking: $10 per day This includes self parking and day parking for attendees notstaying at the hotel. There is no validation for parking.You will need to make your own hotel reservations. After yourregistration form and payment have been received, you willreceive an email confirmation from the National Office with a linkfor making hotel reservations online. The hotel prefers that allreservations be made through this link.The room block will fill up quickly; rooms are first-come, first-served. Get your seminar registration turned in early to secure aroom at the Sheraton.

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HotelLayoutVendors will be set up in the Hermitage Lobby.Lunch will be served buffet style in the Main Lobby and will be eatenin the McGavock Ballroom.Hospitality will be held in the McGavock Ballroom.Blue Family Networking (Alcohol Free) will be held in Oaklands.

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AcademicAgenda4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Early Check In (Hermitage Lobby)5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Blue Family Networking (Oaklands)6:00 p.m. SPECIAL EVENT – Documentary Film Screening (Hermitage C) Sponsored by Boulder Crest Foundation “Boulder Crest Foundation: Transformed by Trauma”7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Hospitality/Welcome (McGavock Ballroom)Sunday, February 16Monday, February 177:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Check In (Hermitage Lobby)7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Early Session – Physical Fitness Choice a) Better Sleep + Deeper Rest with Integrative Restoration (iRest) (Belmont) Jennifer Boileau b) Beginner Yoga (Two Rivers) Vance Row c) Group Walk/Run - Led by a member of the NFOP Wellness Committee8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Morning Break9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Welcome & Opening (Hermitage A-D) Presentation of Colors - Metro Nashville Police Department Color Guard National Anthem - Kenyatta Gaines Sherri Martin, MA, LPCA, NFOP Director of Wellness Services Rick Snyder, NFOP Chaplain Patrick Yoes, NFOP President Recognition of Sponsors9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Keynote Address - sponsored by ValorNet (Hermitage A-D) 911 for Wellness: A Support Package for First Responder Heroes Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, US Army (retired)

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AcademicAgenda10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. A Message from Our Platinum Sponsor FirstNet Built with AT&T (Hermitage A-D)11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. FOP Wellness Update: Full Strength Ahead (Hermitage A-D) Sherri Martin, MA, LPCA, NFOP Director of Wellness Services NFOP Officer Wellness Committee12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Law Enforcement Mental Health & Wellness Act Funding (Hermitage A-D) Billie Coleman, C.O.P.S. Office, US Dept. of Justice12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lunch (McGavock Ballroom)1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Focused Session I FS1-1: Anxiety and Law Enforcement (Hermitage A/B) Matthew Stiehm, EdD, MS, MA FS1-2: Proactive Behavioral Health: The Upstream Work-Life Balance Approach (Hermitage C) Donnie Hutchinson, PhD FS1-3: Break the Cycle (Hermitage D) Allen Hendrickson Amy Hendrickson FS1-4: CANCELLED (Hermitage E) FS1-5: Cancer and Law Enforcement (Hermitage F) Victoria Speed Rich Creamer, MA FS1-6: Wired but Tired (Cheekwood) Stephanie Conn, PhD2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. BreakMonday, February 17(continued)

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AcademicAgenda3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Focused Session II FS2-1: Growing Tall Trees: Implementing Collaborative Wellness in Smaller, Undeserved Law Enforcement Agencies (Hermitage A/B) Marc Junkerman FS2-2: Your Countdown to Retirement ( Hermitage C) Kathryn Avery FS2-3: Sometimes Heroes Need Help: Taking a Tactical Approach to Personal Development and Team Building (Hermitage D) John Kelly FS2-4: Building Financial Strength in First Responder Families (Hermitage E) Nick Daugherty, Financial Cop FS2-5: Advanced Peer Support: Enhancing Officer Resilience Using the Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP) (Hermitage F) Sonny Provetto, MSW, LICSW Stephanie Conn, PhD FS2-6: Functional Nutrition: Fueling Your Body to Serve Your Purpose (Cheekwood) Rachel Kennedy4:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Break4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Afternoon Session – Physical Fitness Choice a) HeartMath Demonstration: Using Biofeedback to Enhance Durability (Cheekwood) Meghann Holloway, Howard Cty. (MD) Sheriff’s Office b) Better Sleep + Deeper Rest with Integrative Restoration (iRest) (Belmont) Jennifer Boileau c) Calming Stormy Seas...How Yoga Calmed My Storm Within (Two Rivers) Vance RowMonday, February 17(continued)

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AcademicAgenda4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Mind/Body Connection of Nashville will offer chair massages to attendees on a first come, first served basis (Belmont) 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Power in Peers: Supporting Peer Mentors Networking (Edgewood)5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Setting Up and Maintaining Badge Meetings: The Use of RECOVERY Coaching (Kingsley) Joe Rizzuti5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Blue Family Networking (Oaklands)6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Hospitality (McGavock Ballroom)6:30 p.m. SPECIAL EVENT (Hermitage C) Hosted by Billy Graham Law Enforcement MinistryMonday, February 17(continued)Tuesday, February 187:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Check In (Hermitage Lobby)7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Early Session – Physical Fitness Choice a) Better Sleep + Deeper Rest with Integrative Restoration (iRest) (Belmont) Jennifer Boileau b) Beginner Yoga (Two Rivers) Vance Row c) Group Walk/Run - Led by a member of the NFOP Wellness Committee8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Morning Break

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AcademicAgenda9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Morning Welcome (Hermitage A-D) Sherri Martin, MA, LPCA, NFOP Director of Wellness Services Joel Cottrill, President Andrew Jackson Lodge #5 (TN) Rick Snyder, NFOP Chaplain Recognition of Sponsors9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Plenary Session (Hermitage A-D) Flipping the Script: From PTSD to Post Traumatic Growth Sherri Martin, MA, LPCA, NFOP Director of Wellness Services Richard Tedeschi, PhD Judah Viola, PhD Monica Prieto, Tucson (AZ) Police Josh Goldberg, CEO, Boulder Crest Foundation10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Break10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Wellness Program Showcase (Hermitage A-D) Louisville (KY) Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Natalie Hughes Sgt. Brad Miller11:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Break11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Expert Panel Discussion (Hermitage A-D) Misbehavior, Misconduct, Missed Opportunities, Oh My! - Viewing Discipline and Fitness as Opportunities for Compassionate Accountability Thomas Coghlan, PsyD Lewis Schlosser, PhD, ABPP William Mazur12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Lunch (McGavock Ballroom)Tuesday February 18(continued)

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AcademicAgenda1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Focused Session III FS3-1: The Importance of Family Resiliency (Hermitage A/B) Nadine Dody, MA, MFT, LPC FS3-2: Trauma to Triumph: Treating LEO Adversity as a Transformative Journey (Hermitage C) Thomas Coghlan, PsyD FS3-3: Finding Hope: Set Your Buckets Down (Hermitage D) Rick Snyder, NFOP Chaplain FS3-4: Wellness and Resiliency: Investing in Your Employees (Hermitage E) Gwyn Fogarty FS3-5: ACEs in the Hole: When Childhood Adversity and Occupational Stressors Collide (Hermitage F) Cinnamon Reiheld Erin Maccabee FS3-6: Suicide Awareness and Prevention (Cheekwood) Jeremy Sprague2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Break3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Focused Session IV FS4-1: Helping Law Enforcement Families During These Difficult Times: Depression, Fear, Anxiety, Trauma - Are Our Children Silently Suffering? (Hermitage A/B) Kristina Waters Sarah Russell FS4-2: Officer Wellness: Three Rules for Surviving for Your Police Career (Hermitage C) Lewis Schlosser, PhD, ABPP Tuesday, February 18(continued)

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AcademicAgenda3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Focused Session IV (continued) FS4-3: The Stellate Ganglion Block: Dual Sympathetic Reset and Treatment of PTSD (Hermitage D) Melinda Linas Eugene Lipov, MD FS4-4: Creating Buy-In for a Wellness Program (Hermitage E) Robert Butler FS4-5: Coping with a Line of Duty Death (Hermitage F) Dianne Bernhard, C.O.P.S. Office Shelley Jones, Survivors of Blue Suicide4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Break4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Concluding Remarks & Future Endeavors (Hermitage A-D) Sherri Martin, MA, LPCA, NFOP Director of Wellness Services NFOP Officer Wellness Committee4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Blue Family Networking (Oaklands)5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Hospitality & Networking (McGavock Ballroom)Tuesday, February 18(continued)

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ClassDescriptionsKeynote Presentation911 for Wellness: A Support Package for FirstResponder HeroesLt. Colonel Dave GrossmanFlipping the Script:From PTSD to PostTraumatic GrowthPost Traumatic Stress Disorder is a term well-known bymembers of first responder professions. For decades, we havelearned of its impact on the lives of our brothers and sistersand have been told of the potential for exposure that comeswith our career choice. But what if there is another side of thestory? In this session, attendees will learn from experts in thefield about the science of Post Traumatic Growth, includingexamples of how it is being incorporated into wellnessprogramming and is transforming how we view our exposureto traumatic events.Sherri MartinRichard TedeschiJudah ViolaMonica PrietoJosh GoldbergPlenary SessionsSince 2019, the Fraternal Order of Police National OfficerWellness Committee has been systematically building anational wellness program that continues to evolve andexpand. Based in ongoing research and feedback frommembers of law enforcement across the country, this multi-component program has been designed to function as acomplete system. This session will provide an update onprogram developments as our program grows. Futuredirections, new programs, and opportunities for participationwill be discussed. FOP Wellness Update:Full Strength AheadSherri MartinNFOP Officer WellnessCommittee

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ClassDescriptionsLearn about the inception, development and growth of aleading police agency wellness program in this showcasesession. Ideas for development of a well-rounded wellnessprogram will be combined with strategies for agencies of allsizes. This presentation will include a brief history of theLMPD Wellness Unit, the Wellness Unit responsibilities, theimpact The Summit Wellness Center has made on LMPDofficers, and our wellness implementation method. Wellness ProgramShowcase: Louisville(KY) MetropolitanPolice DepartmentFor too long, and far too regularly, LE agency administratorshave confounded disciplinary and fitness-for-duty matterswith each other, and entirely misunderstood the role thatunaddressed treatment needs play in both. Externalizingbehaviors among LEOs are sometimes the manifestation ofdistress stemming from unmet treatment needs. The typicalauthoritarian law enforcement agency response tomisconduct or misbehavior, however, is often one ofdiscipline or fitness referral. This presentation intends toencourage a paradigm shift from disciple or fitness referral totreatment and wellness. If agencies can shift perspectivetoward wellness and away from a primarily disciplinarymodel, we can save careers, marriages, and lives. Then,placement in appropriate, culturally-competent, vettedfacilities and with similar clinicians is a must.Misbehavior,Misconduct, MissedOpportunities, Oh My!- Viewing Disciplineand Fitness asOpportunities forCompassionateAccountabilitySgt. Natalie HughesSgt. Brad MillerThomas CoghlanLewis SchlosserWilliam MazurPlenary Sessions (continued)The United States Department of Justice has dedicatedincreased resources to building and bolstering initiatives forlaw enforcement mental health and wellness. This session willexplore DOJ programs currently existing as well as futureopportunities.Law EnforcementMental Health &Wellness Act FundingBillie Coleman

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ClassDescriptionsThis presentation will focus on the signs, symptoms, and issuesaround anxiety - and how is manifests in officers at all levels intheir career. Anxiety impacts work productive, impacts use offorce, lack of force, decision making, proactive or reactivepolicing, training, and everything an officer may or may not doon the job. It impacts leadership, because it creates worry, andexcessive thoughts and ruminations. Attendees will beprovided with an basic level understand of anxiety, how itimpacts officers, how small changes can help the agency. Howleadership tweaks, and changes can impact overall mentalhealth.Anxiety and LawEnforcementMatthew StiehmFocused SessionsWhen Childhood Adversity and Occupational StressorsCollide explores the profound impact of childhoodadversity and trauma on life long mental health and adultbehavior. It highlights how these experiences can shapebrain development, influence attachment styles, and effectprofessional and personal relationships. Explaining thecompounded complexities for first responders, wehighlight the interaction of childhood adversity andoccupational traumatic exposure, underscoring theimportance of understanding these dynamics toencourage self-care and to foster resilience. Lastly, thispresentation provides simple ways to work daily towardshaving a fulfilling career and positive personalrelationships.ACEs in the Hole:When ChildhoodAdversity andOccupationalStressors CollideCinnamon ReiheldErin MaccabeeAdvanced PeerSupport: EnhancingOfficer ResilienceUsing the AcuteStress AdaptiveProtocol (ASAP)The presentation will introduce the Acute Stress AdaptiveProtocol (ASAP), an innovative EMDR-based interventiontailored for law enforcement peer support. ASAP is designedto provide immediate support and effective stressmanagement following critical incidents. We will cover theresearch that shows the ASAP reduces PTSD symptoms by44%. The presentation will cover the development andrelevance of ASAP, explaining how it integrates EMDRprinciples to into Peer Support to help address both acute andchronic traumatic stress. It will detail the three-phase trainingprocess, which includes psychoeducation, group supporttechniques, and facilitation skills, and discuss the flexibility ofASAP as a safe and effective proactive intervention.Sonny ProvettoStephanie Conn

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ClassDescriptionsBreak the CycleJoin our husband and wife class covering alcoholism, infidelity,stress, and more. We use our personal stories to provide afour-hour course that teaches about burnout and recovery,and how to maintain a healthy work-life balance. As someonewho attended inpatient rehab for alcoholism and has beensober since August 3, 2015, I understand firsthand theimportance of stress management. My wife and I have beenmarried to each other three times due to my bad habits anddecisions, but we are now the happiest we have ever been. Ihave even been able to join a new police department which Ienjoy a lot. Let us help your department with a great stressmanagement course.Allen HendricksonAmy HendricksonFocused SessionsTaught by cops for cops, learn the proven financial wellnesspieces that over 10k first responders from over 2k agenciesnationwide have learned to build their financial strength.Topics include the importance of budgeting, legacy planningfor families, impacts of debt and how to fast track paying offyour debt, financial pitfalls of first responders and overtimereliance, and how to build a solid financial plan to get you tothe retirement you deserve! Building FinancialStrength in FirstResponder FamiliesNick DaughertyI am the widow of LASD Detective James Speed whosuccumbed to cancer from job exposures in 2018. After takingon attorneys, medical decisions, work comp, departmentbenefits and end of life I now discuss the exposures of the job,how to be pro-active and what to do if you receive a cancerdiagnosis. I discuss education, awareness, and early detection.We discuss second opinions, cancer peer support (how toreturn to the job) , hospice and end of life decisions.We alsodiscuss how departments are better able to serve their officerswith cancer. Both mentally, physically and most importantlyfinancially.This cancer program is unique as it is created for lawenforcement only and is the only resource in the nation.Cancer and LawEnforcementVictoria SpeedRich Creamer

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ClassDescriptionsFocused SessionsThe chances that an agency may have to respond to a line ofduty death have become increasingly more likely in recentyears. The attendees in this session will learn about the lawregarding COVID law enforcement deaths and the new lawregarding Public Safety Officers' Benefits for officers who dieby suicide, under certain circumstances. The presenters willlead a discussion on the new laws and will makerecommendations on how best to respond, based on theexperiences of Concerns of Police Survivors and Survivors ofBlue Suicide. Coping with a Line ofDuty DeathDianne BernhardShelley JonesI will address law enforcement agencies' critical need forcomprehensive wellness programs. This session aims toprovide practical strategies for overcoming resistancefrom city councils, mayors, administrators, and officersregarding these essential initiatives. We will explore theimportance of wellness programs, highlighting theirimpact on officer performance, stress reduction, andcommunity relations. Additionally, I will outline steps toimplement low-cost programs by utilizing existingresources and technology. By sharing success stories andeffective communication strategies, attendees will beequipped to advocate for officer wellness as afundamental aspect of effective law enforcement.Creating Buy-In for aWellness ProgramRobert ButlerJoin us for a powerful testimony of Faith and Resiliencefollowing a violent attack upon a police officer. We did a briefhead count at the end of a successful foot pursuit of a wantedviolent suspect, and we realized that we were missing oneofficer. When we first found him between the narrow passageof the two homes, he was lying prone and all we could seewere the bottoms of his boots. We found ourselves praying fora miracle. Finding Hope: SetYour Buckets DownRick Snyder

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ClassDescriptionsFocused SessionsI am a KLEC (Kentucky Law Enforcement Council)certified instructor in Health & Wellness, Physical Fitness,Nutrition Instructor, & Patrol General Studies. I created thisKLEC certified presentation for our department's annualin-service in 2024. The presentation covers the science-based basics of nutrition including nutrition psychology,macronutrients, energy balance, BMR, daily calorie needs,& how to build a nutrition plan that suits an individuallifestyle. This presentation is specific to law enforcement;however, civilians & retirees can also benefit from theinformation. I received excellent feedback regarding thefunctional relevance & applicability of this presentationfrom many of the 500 officers I presented it to.Functional Nutrition:Fueling Your Body toServe Your PurposeRachel KennedyThis presentation coalesces around a case study of a promisingpractice being implemented on the Maryland Lower Shoredesigned to meet the wellness needs of smaller coastal lawenforcement agencies through a collaborative, grass-rootsapproach. Partners in the endeavor include Behind the Line,Inc., the University Maryland Eastern Shore, the InternationalCritical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc., and the PTSD911 film.The presentation will use active facilitated discussion to sharethe project’s current progress and to afford participants anopportunity to understand the strategic concepts driving thisregional effort. The goal is to create an effectiveimplementation process which can be replicated along theDELMARVA peninsula.Growing Tall Trees:ImplementingCollaborativeWellness in Smaller,Undeserved LawEnforcementAgenciesMark Junkerman

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ClassDescriptionsFocused SessionsThis presentation will provide tips useful for helping torecognize depression, anxiety, and the impacts of trauma thatmay show up in a law enforcement home. By focusing on theimpacts potentially felt by children of officers, we will discussbehaviors to watch for and explore strategies for helpingsupport our kids. As families become more recognized as apart of the officer wellness equation, we want to ensure thatour children stay in a mentally healthy state and thrive.Helping LawEnforcement FamiliesDuring These DifficultTimes: Depression,Fear, Anxiety, Trauma - Are OurChildren SilentlySuffering? Kristina WatersSarah RussellCost and benefits of supporting families. Training and supporting the family to live a resilient lifestylehelps to support officer wellness. Training would include afamily academy, wellness nights and events, spouses peersupport team, and healthy spouses groups.Information will beprovided on how to set up family support in your agency.What are family academy, wellness nights events, and what arethe benefits of having a spouse peer support team and spousegroups? Investing in families helps strengthen officers, improveretention, provide ongoing support for families, and reducedivorce. This, in turn, makes for a stronger department.The Importance ofFamily ResiliencyNadine DodyLaw enforcement is one of the most stressful professionsin the United States. Unfortunately, this has translated intohigher rates of suicide and lowered life expectancy amongpolice officers. This presentation will focus on pitfalls in apolice career and strategies for overcoming them. Cuttingedge research on suicide prevention will be presented, aswill initiatives for reducing stigma for seeking mentalhealth among law enforcement officers and beingsuccessful in the transition from law enforcement intoretirement and beyond. Finally, practical skills for resiliencyand mental wellness will be provided.Officer Wellness:Three Rules forSurviving for YourPolice CareerLewis Schlosser

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ClassDescriptionsFocused Sessions (continued)Are you ready to enhance your well-being as both a publicsafety professional and individual? This 90-minute workshop istailored for police professionals seeking to strengthen familyrelationships, improve physical and mental health, and boostcareer effectiveness. You’ll engage with evidence-basedstrategies to build resilience, self-awareness, and proactivebehavioral health practices. Through interactive activities,you’ll create a personalized action plan aligning daily behaviorswith core priorities. Invest in your wellness to improve jobperformance, family life, and overall satisfaction in thistransformational experience.Proactive BehavioralHealth: The UpstreamWork-Life BalanceApproachDonnie HutchinsonThe program empowers the individual to take ownership andresponsibility for their lives. Life stressors are addressed on thefront end, proactively, allowing the individual the opportunityto keep the slide from becoming an avalanche. I address thekey five neglected areas: personal, professional, financial,physical, and mental health of our people. Emotionalintelligence and resiliency skills to become better humanbeings are presented. My vulnerability will normalize difficultconversations, changing the culture of this first responderprofession, one person at a time. Relationships, PTSD, andsuicide are discussed in a relatable, raw, and unfiltered way.Issues are identified but most importantly solutions and skillsets are delivered.Sometimes HeroesNeed Help: Taking aTactical Approach toPersonalDevelopment andTeam BuildingJohn Kelly

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ClassDescriptionsFocused Sessions (continued)Uncover the often-overlooked issue of suicide among lawenforcement officers in this course. Explore the varioustypes of stress affecting law enforcement and the impactson their well-being. Examine both normal and abnormalreactions to stress, and discover effective wellnessstrategies tailored to combat stress in the law enforcementcommunity. The course provides sobering suicidestatistics specific to officers, shedding light on suicidalideation and its warning signs. Learn interventionstrategies for when a coworker exhibits suicidal thoughts,and explore resources available to support lawenforcement facing suicidal ideation.Suicide Awarenessand PreventionJeremy SpragueDr. Lipov and Cmdr. Linas will discuss the SGB/DSR whichconsists of two injections of local anesthetic in one side ofthe neck near a bundle of nerves that regulate the fight-or-flight response. Many first responders experience beingstuck in a fight-or-flight response long after triggeringtraumatic or stressful events.This state can create extranerve fibers in the brain called sprouting, which producesnorepinephrine which leads to an overactive nervoussystem, causing increased heart rate & alertness, affectssleep, mood & memory - all physical symptoms of trauma.Cmdr. Linas will share her story of dealing with PTSD andreceiving this treatment and Dr. Lipov will explain thescience behind our symptoms that are a result of traumawe face.The Stellate GanglionBlock: DualSympathetic Resetand Treatment ofPTSDMelinda LinasEugene Lipov

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ClassDescriptionsFocused Sessions (continued)LEO barriers to psychotherapy include a lack of treatmentapproaches tailored to overcoming their resistance andmeeting their needs. Such an approach is presented toinform mental health professionals as well as de-stigmatizepsychotherapy for LEO attendees. The presenter hastreated LEOs in psychotherapy for years, to include theaftermath of OIS, critical incidents, and life adversity, andhas developed an approach to LEO trauma and adversitythat conceptualizes treatment as a transformative journeyintegrating trauma recovery with post-traumatic growthand parallels the Campbellian monomyth’s stages.Objectives include exposing LEO attendees to thepsychotherapeutic process in order to reduce stigma andencourage treatment.Trauma to Triumph:Treating LEOAdversity as aTransformativeJourneyThomas CoghlanThis session will provide an overview of the four pillars ofwellness implemented at the Lawrence KS PoliceDepartment, focusing on mental health/suicideprevention, physical/nutritional health, financial health,and spiritual vitality of our employees. We will discuss the strategies used to identify areas ofresiliency important to employees and their familymembers and the delivery of selected wellness programsdesigned to give employees the information and tools fora successful career. The necessity of support from the top down and avoidingpotential barriers during implementation will be discussed.We will also explore the importance of cultivating trust inwellness programs to ensure employees' continued use ofthe programs.Wellness andResiliency: Investingin Your EmployeesGwyn Fogarty

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ClassDescriptionsFocused Sessions (continued)Wired but TiredThis presentation describes how first responders’ nervous systems areslowly and systematically changed by exposure to stress, trauma, andshiftwork, in adaptive and unhealthy ways. Changes include insomnia,difficulty with focus, decision-making, increased hypervigilance, anddifficulty being still. Evidence-based strategies will be offered tocounteract and optimize the nervous system for improvedperformance, health, and longevity. Strategies include breathing,imagery, and the use of technology to improve body awareness andmonitor improvements. Resources for additional support will beoffered. Lastly, the presentation provides recommendations forintroducing these strategies using language that increases buy-infrom agency and peers.Stephanie ConnRetirement is a life changing event, especially for members of lawenforcement. While information about retirement finances is readilyavailable, the same cannot be said for the non-financial aspects ofretirement planning. When contemplating stopping work a myriad ofemotions and issues can surface. Researching and creating a plan canidentify and guide you around hidden hazards and unanticipatedobstacles. Topics covered include: What to Expect on Your Last Dayof Work, Loss of Culture/Community – “I Don’t Miss the Job, I Missthe People”, Finding a New Life Purpose, Creating New Routines andExperiences, Redefining Relationships, Health and Well Being, SelfCare, The Honeymoon is Over - Now What, Early Retirement andHijacked Retirement.Your Countdown toRetirementKathryn Avery

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ClassDescriptionsPhysical Activity SessionsJoin certified iRest meditation instructor Jennifer Boileau to learnstrategies— tailored to law enforcement officials - regarding howto safeguard your overall well-being by “turning inward” throughguided iRest meditation, which will help support your physicaland psychological health. Through this 10-step iRest meditationworkshop designed specifically for LEOs, Jenn will teach youhow to mitigate your stress response and enhance your sleepquality and quantity by using your breath, body and mind. Better Sleep + DeeperRest with IntegrativeRestoration (iRest)Jennifer BoileauYou’ll discover how to effectively: · connect with the somatic (felt sense) experience in the body · practice breath sensing for increased energy and deep relaxation · connect with an inner calm · integrate the practices of iRest into your daily life, in minutes a day You’ll also learn about: · neurobiological causes of common sleep problems · understanding the mind-body skills that help improve sleep · the mental and physical impacts of disrupted sleepVance has regularly given presentations where headdresses some of the factors that affected him in his LawEnforcement Career. In his presentation, “Calming stormyseas, how yoga calmed my storm within”…Vancedescribes how police culture and stress led to potentiallycatastrophic results. Vance now speaks on topics relatedto suicide prevention, alcohol abuse, and overall wellnessfor those in all First Responder Communities. Ultimately,his story shows the power of yoga in resilience and whyVance wants to use yoga to combat First Responder/Military Suicide.Calming StormySeas...How YogaCalmed My StormWithinVance Row

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ClassDescriptionsPhysical Activity Sessions (continued)Join your National FOP Officer Wellness Committee for an at-your-own-pace run or walk. We will gather at the registrationdesk and a mapped route near the hotel will be provided. Wewill be departing together, but you can complete the route atany pace. Be sure to dress for the weather, as this will be anoutdoor event.Group Walk/RunNFOP Officer WellnessCommitteeLaw enforcement professionals are a “show me, don’t tellme” bunch. It’s easy to teach in the moment stressmanagement techniques but how do we know if they areworking? Will we feel a certain way? What if we don’t feelany particular way at all, do we still trust that the stressmanagement techniques actually work? HeartMath is asmall Bluetooth device that clips to an earlobe andsamples heart rate variability 500 times a secondproviding real time feedback on the user’s level ofcoherence or simply the balance between theparasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Whenthe systems are out of balance we can see a decline incognitive processing, physical performance, and overallresilience. Come check out this brief demo of theHeartMath device and discussion of how it’s currentlybeing utilized to help officers achieve regulation andmanage stress in the moment through breathwork. HeartMathDemonstration: UsingBiofeedback toEnhance DurabilityMeghann Holloway

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ClassDescriptionsEvening Sessions The role of the badge meeting out in the community forfirst responders is critical in the first stages of someone’srecovery that are first responders.The first badge meeting started at the Boston police peersupport unit 1974.Badge meetings are based off of the AA principles, butthey also should involve the role of a certified peercounselor or a cultural confidence therapist.These meetings offer sense of community also for ourretired members as well as a drop in spot if someoneneeds to talk.Setting Up andMaintaining BadgeMeetings: The Use ofRECOVERY CoachingJoe RizzutiCalling all attendees trained as Power In Peers SupportingPeer Mentors! Attend this informal gathering to meet otherSPMs and Power In Peers Trainers from around thecountry. Over 100 trainers have now been certified, andmany will be in attendance at the Summit!Power in PeersSupporting PeerMentors

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ClassDescriptionsSpecial EventsA powerful documentary, Transformed By Trauma: Stories ofPosttraumatic Growth, sheds light on the prevalence and impactof PTSD diagnoses, challenging the current approach to mentalhealth in America. The film tells the inspiring personal stories ofFirst Responders, Veterans, former POWs, and service memberswho have not only survived trauma but have thrived in itsaftermath through the science of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG).Josh Goldberg, CEO of Boulder Crest, said, "With the PTSD label,you’re told you have a permanent disorder, and the best you cando is focus on feeling less bad. We need to change that narrativebecause it’s literally killing people."One of the film’s powerful voices is former South Miami PoliceChief Rene Landa. “It’s a known thing in police work — we don’ttalk. We keep it inside. Push it up, swallow it down, chew it up —take care of it. But you don’t show it — you never do — you keep itinside because you cannot show any weakness. [However], topolice well you have to be well. PTSD, everyone knows. When youask about Posttraumatic Growth, hardly any hands go up. It’s aneye opener to understand that there is another way to think aboutthis.” Captain Charlie Plumb, a Vietnam Veteran and former POW whowas imprisoned for nearly six years at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton.""POWs are living proof of PTG," says Plumb. "I survived nearly sixyears as a prisoner of war — what could challenge me more thanthat? We only get so many struggles in life, and it’s a terrible thingto waste any of them."Panel Discussion immediately following the screening with the co-founder of the Science of Posttraumatic Growth, Dr RichardTedeschi, Sherri Martin, National Director of Wellness Services,Fraternal Order of Police, and Josh Goldberg, CEO, Boulder CrestFoundation. Click here to watch the trailer.Sunday 6:00 p.m.Documentary FilmScreening - BoulderCrest Foundation:Transformed byTraumaSponsored by Boulder CrestFoundation

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ClassDescriptionsSpecial EventsThe Billy Graham National Law Enforcement Ministry ispart of a Rapid Response Team who deploys to man-madeand natural disasters. Upon request, they deploy crisis-trained chaplains who are active-duty and/or retiredofficers to provide emotional and spiritual support in theaftermath of tragedy. Whether responding to Line of DutyDeaths, civil unrest, mass casualty events, and othercritical incidents that effect the law enforcementcommunity, their resources are available to departmentsand associations across the nation completely free ofcharge. In addition, they also host wellness-themed LawEnforcement Appreciation Retreats around the country,and a Marriage Resiliency Program in Alaska for officerswho’ve been involved in critical incidents or who havebeen seriously injured in the line of duty. They also offerfree, practical trainings for those interested in betterequipping themselves to assist others in their time of need.All resources and programs are offered at no cost toattendees and are designed to foster emotional andspiritual wellness among officers, allowing them to thriveon the job and at home and to help address some of theunique challenges they and their families experience.Monday 6:30 p.m.Special Event -Hosted by BillyGraham LawEnforcement Ministry

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Meet theInstructorsKathryn AveryKathryn Severns Avery, “America’s #1 Retirement Readiness Expert,” is anationally recognized speaker, workshop and seminar leader, and coach.She is the author of the Your Countdown to Retirement series of booksand workbooks. Her most recent book, Your Countdown to Retirementfor Law Enforcement, is the first in a series of retirement readinessofferings specifically for first responders. In April of 2025, YourCountdown to Retirement will be cohosting the first retirementreadiness summit for law enforcement in Colorado.Kathryn’s civilian life collided with the world of first responders on December 4th, 2020 when herhusband, Chris, also a civilian, was killed by three robbery suspects fleeing from police. Shefounded Restoration Ranch Colorado providing opportunities for those in the “Traumatic EventLifecycle” to rest and recharge at no cost on her 40-acre ranch in the mountains of Colorado.She is the living embodiment of resilience and is an expert at helping others find passion andpurpose after tragedy. Dianne BernhardDianne Bernhard is the Executive Director of Concerns of PoliceSurvivors (C.O.P.S), a national non-profit organization that supports thefamilies and co-workers of our nation’s fallen law enforcement officers.Founded on the concept of peer support, C.O.P.S. and its 55 chaptersacross the nation, provide services to over 59,000 members. C.O.P.S.services include responding to assist agencies and families directlyfollowing a line of duty death, training law enforcement on how to respond to trauma and tragedy, providing counseling services and scholarships to survivingchildren and spouses, organizing the survivor experience at National Police Week, and providingsurvivor grief retreats.Prior to assuming her role at C.O.P.S., Ms. Bernhard retired from the Columbia Missouri PoliceDepartment after 23 years of service as their Deputy Chief of Police. Ms. Bernhard learned aboutC.O.P.S. through the death of a co-worker and friend, Officer Molly Thomas-Bowden who wasshot and killed in 2005. In her position at C.O.P.S., Ms. Bernhard has represented survivors andthe law enforcement community by serving on several national committees, providing testimonyto the Department of Justice, to two Presidential Commissions, and has presented training atnearly every major law enforcement association conference.C.O.P.S. Office

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Meet theInstructorsJennifer BoileauWith a background in special education, and a focus on facilitatingrestorative options that help people find peace in their lives, JenniferBoileau’s Mindfulness Coaching offers a non-medicinal approach toprocessing trauma; addressing anxiety; managing intrusive thoughts andsleep disruptions. Jenn utilizes this unique depth of perspective to impactfully teachpeople in high-stress occupations (military, veterans and law enforcement), and their families, how to find focus, resilience and balance through non-medicinalapproaches to healing, like iRest© meditation, MELT Method techniques, yoga for LEO’s andtactical breathwork practices.Married to retired SWAT S/SGT, and now Special Investigator for the DOJ/State of Delaware,Jenn understands the stress, culture and residual effects service can have on a person and theirfamily.As a subject matter expert for the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Jennhas written a curriculum for Rest that is being used by police officers across the state of CA intheir Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Additionally, Jenn is a consultant for theInstitute of Intergovernmental Research (IIR) which supports Valor and Safleo programmingacross the country, as well as supporting agencies on the local, state and federal level. Incollaboration with the Families Behind the Badge Children's Foundation, Jenn supports variousfirst responder agencies in the PA/NJ/DE areas, at no cost to the agency. Jenn is a fully Certified iRest© Meditation Teacher, Trauma-Centered Warriors at Ease Teacher,E-RYT200 Karma Yoga Instructor, Sound Healing facilitatior and Reiki Master. Jenn's meditationmusic can be found across all streaming services, as well as on the C.A.R.E Channel throughHealing Healthcare Systems.

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Meet theInstructorsRobert ButlerChief Robert Butler leads the Independence Police Department in Ohio,where he has established a nationally recognized law enforcementwellness program. Under his leadership, the department received theprestigious 2024 National Officer Safety and Wellness/Traffic SafetyAward from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund(NLEOMF), making Independence PD the first department in Ohio toreceive this distinction.His innovative approach to officer wellness earned him the 2024 Michael J. Kelly Excellence andInnovation Award from the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.The Independence Police Department's comprehensive wellness initiatives include specializedtraining programs, community engagement efforts, and cutting-edge officer safety protocols. Hisdepartment's wellness program encompasses physical fitness, mental health support, andspecialized training, including advanced certifications in areas such as Brazilian ju-jitsu and drugrecognition.Beyond his role as Police Chief, he holds leadership positions in state and county police chiefassociations. His commitment to both his profession and family life demonstrates the work-lifebalance that is central to his wellness philosophy.Independence (OH) Police Department

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Meet theInstructorsThomas Coghlan, PsyDThomas Coghlan is a Clinical Psychologist specialized in Police & PublicSafety Psychology, a retired NYPD Detective, a Fellow of the AmericanPsychological Association, a past Visiting Law Enforcement Fellow withthe International Association of Chiefs of Police, and a member of FOPNew York Lodge 957. Dr. Coghlan operates a private psychotherapypractice where he exclusively treats law enforcement and other publicsafety personnel. He serves as a First Responder Psychologist on federalcontract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and as a network clinician with the NYPD-affiliated Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance. He iscurrently the Program Director of the Forensic Psychology program at King Graduate School,Monroe Universfity, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Forensic Psychology at John Jay College,CUNY. Dr. Coghlan was an inaugural member of the National Consortium for the Prevention ofLaw Enforcement Suicide from 2019 to 2023, and sits on both the Professional Advisory Panelfor the National Fraternal Order of Police Office of Wellness Services and the Advisory Board ofthe National Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers (SAFLEO) program. He conductsboth independent evaluations for psychological appeals and fitness-for-duty evaluation in hispractice, and as an independent contractor he conducts psychological pre-employmentevaluations for public safety agencies in New York and New Jersey. He is licensed to practice inNY, NJ and FL.

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Meet theInstructorsBillie ColemanC.O.P.S. Office, US Department of JusticeBillie Yrlas Coleman is a seasoned Supervisory Senior Program Specialistat the U.S. Department of Justice, where she leads the staff of theTraining and Partner Engagement division at the Office of CommunityOriented Policing Services. With nearly three decades of experience infederal service, Billie has managed training and technical assistanceprograms for numerous federal agencies, focusing on enhancingcommunity policing, improving law enforcement practices, and and fostering stronger community trust.Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Billie managed preparedness training and technicalassistance initiatives for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and managed a nationallevel training program for 8,000 first responders for the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).Billie holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and organizational behavior from TrinityWashington University, a master’s degree in human resource development from GeorgeWashington University and is certified in instructional design from Marymount University. Billie is also a certified work/life coach for the Department of Justice, providing coaching servicesto DOJ employees to help maximize their personal and professional potential. A native of Washington D.C., she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband Ricardo, daughterHayden and son Noah.

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Licensed Psychologist, First Responder Psychology PhD in Counseling Psychology, University of British Columbia 2015 Dr. Conn is a former police officer, as well as the daughter and wife ofpolice officers, and currently works as a Licensed Psychologist,specializing in police stress, trauma, work-life balance, coping, and Meet theInstructorsStephanie Conn, PhD, ABPPBoard Certified in Police and Public Safety Psychologyresilience. Stephanie is Board Certified as a Police & Public Safety psychologist. She has 28 yearsof combined experience working in the first responder field. She began as a dispatcher/call-takerbefore becoming an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department and then earning herdoctorate in Counseling Psychology. She supports first responder agencies with CISM, peersupport, and mental health training. At the national level, Dr. Conn presents across the United States and Canada on peer supportand resilience, sharing wisdom gained from her police experience, her research, and her therapypractice. She is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police National Officer Wellness Committee,Provider Evaluation Subcommittee, for the identification of culturally competent clinicians for anationwide network. She also participates in the International Association of Chiefs of PolicePsychological Services Section workgroups for developing culturally competent mental healthproviders and national peer support guidelines. She is also an approved instructor for I.C.I.S.F.courses, Group Crisis Intervention and Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Acute Stress AdaptiveProtocol (ASAP). She is the author of Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel,which has received high praise for being practical, easy to read, and helpful. She has alsoauthored dozens of other articles and book chapters relating to first responder mental health.

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Rich Creamer is a U.S. Navy veteran and retired Sergeant of the NorfolkPolice Department, where he dedicated twenty-four years to serving hiscommunity. Rich’s career spans high-impact roles, including assignments in theGang Unit, Homicide, Cold Case Homicide, FBI Violent Crime TaskForce, Criminal Intelligence Unit, and the Training Division. He has beenrecognized with numerous accolades, including Officer of the Year, two Meet theInstructorsRich Creamer, MAU.S. Attorney Public Service Awards, and multiple police commendations.During his final assignment in the Norfolk Police Department’s Training Division, Richspearheaded groundbreaking wellness initiatives. He developed the Norfolk Public SafetyWellness Initiative, the first of its kind in Virginia, incorporating holistic wellness strategies such asfacility dogs, fitness resources, and therapies aimed at supporting public safety employees. Hisexpertise in critical incident stress management and peer support has provided vital resources toemergency services agencies across the nation.Rich serves as the Director of Public Safety Insights for Lighthouse Health and Wellness, wherehe continues to focus on the mental and physical well-being of first responders. He consults forthe International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Collaborative Reform Initiative for OfficerWellness and is on the board of directors for Blue Cancer Connect.

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Meet theInstructorsNicholas DaughertyFinancial CopNick Daugherty began his career with the Grand Prairie Police Departmentin 2003, serving as a patrol officer, school resource officer, and on anunderage alcohol and drug task force. In 2012 he was promoted tosergeant where he served as a patrol and field training sergeant, and fleetcoordinator. After 2 ½ years he transitioned to lead the criminalintelligence unit. Following his semiretirement in August of 2017, Nickcontinued to serve as a reserve officer until his full retirement in 2023. As a young adult, Nick struggled with financial mismanagement. He did a lot of irresponsiblethings with money, partaking in “stupid tax” (the art of buying toys that he couldn’t afford usingcredit cards). Before he knew it, he had accumulated over $80,000 in consumer debt, most ofwhich was wrapped up in cars, a $21,000 car stereo system, and expensive vacations. He wastired of being in debt and tired of working so much overtime just to pay his bills. Nick recognizedthe need for financial education. He discovered the “debt snowball” method to paying down debtand committed to paying off all of his debt. He worked over a thousand hours of overtime overtwo years and achieved his goal of becoming consumer debt-free in 2007!In 2011, Nick was approached by Grand Prairie Police Chief, Steve Dye, who asked him to designand teach a progressive financial wellness program for new recruits at the police academy. Thisprogram expanded into mandatory training for officers across numerous agencies throughout theDFW metroplex. “Building Financial Strength in First Responder Families” has now been taught topersonnel from over 4,000 agencies, police academies, national conferences, and leadershiporganizations nationwide, giving them tools to help them start to win with money and worktoward their retirement goals. Nick is now the owner of FinancialCop, one of the largest financial wellness training groups forfirst responders nationally, as well as a full service, fiduciary only financial planning firm.Additionally, he holds a health and life insurance license and has completed advanced courseworkthrough Ken Zahn’s Certified Financial Planning professional education program. Driven by a deep passion for teaching, Nick is dedicated to guiding first responders and theirfamilies in financial management and planning. The goal of FinancialCop? To have a nation full offirst responders that have the ability to retire when they want to instead of spending their timechasing down a pension!

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Meet theInstructorsNadine Dody, MA,MFT, LPCNadine Dody MA, MFT, LPC is a private counselor based in Redmond,Oregon. Her practice serves first responders. She is the wellnesspractitioner for the Bend Police Department, Sunriver Police Departmentand Deschutes County 911 Service District. Additionally, Nadineprovided family support for Navigators First Responder Ministry. She hasconducted training sessions for organizations such as the Redmond FireDepartment, Oregon Department of Forestry, Deschutes CountySheriff's Office, Portland Police Bureau peer support, and ResponderLife. Nadine is also part of the Tri-County Peer Support Team in CentralOregon. She is married to retired Sergeant Vic Dody, who previouslyserved with the Portland Police Department.Gwyn FogartySergeant Fogarty has dedicated her career to serving variouscommunities in Kansas since 1994, gaining invaluable experience andexpertise. In 2012, she joined the Lawrence Kansas Police Department,where she currently serves as a Patrol Sergeant.In 2019, Sergeant Fogarty earned a Bachelor of Science in CriminalJustice from Central Christian College of Kansas. In 2023, SergeantFogarty completed the Heartland Certified Public Managementprogram through the University of Kansas Public Management Center, earning her Certified Public Manager (CPM) certification. Her capstone project focused onimplementing wellness programs for the employees and families of the Lawrence PoliceDepartment.As the department’s Peer Support Coordinator, Sergeant Fogarty plays a pivotal role inpromoting mental health and resilience within the agency. In 2022, her proposal earned theLawrence Police Department the prestigious Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness ActGrant from the Department of Justice, COPs Office. She now supervises the wellness programsfunded through this grant, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing employee wellness andfostering a culture of support. Her efforts continue to make a lasting impact on the departmentand the broader community.With nearly three decades of service, Sergeant Fogarty brings a wealth of experience and asteadfast dedication to improving the well-being and resilience of law enforcement professionalsand their families.

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Meet theInstructorsJosh Goldberg· CEO – Boulder Crest Foundation · Author, Struggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath of Trauma · Author, Transformed by Trauma: Stories of Posttraumatic Growth · Author, Warrior PATHH Curriculum · BA, International Relations, magna cum laude, Tufts University · 2017 Presidential Leadership Scholar Leadership for Senior Executives,Harvard Business School In January 2023, Josh became the first Chief Executive Officer of the Boulder Crest Foundation,a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring first responders, combatveterans, and their family members live great lives in the midst of struggle, stress, and trauma. Inthis role, Josh oversees all aspects of Boulder Crest’s operations, programs, and activities. Prior tohis appointment as CEO, Josh co-founded and led the Boulder Crest Institute for PosttraumaticGrowth (PTG) from 2018-2022 and led the development of the first-ever programs based on thescience of PTG, Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well. Since Boulder Crest’s founding in 2013, theorganization has trained more than 100,000 combat veterans, first responders, and their familymembers to transform struggle into strength and growth. In 2018, Josh, along with BoulderCrest's Founder and Chairman, Ken Falke, published Struggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath ofTrauma. In 2020, Josh and Ken co-authored Transformed by Trauma: Stories of PosttraumaticGrowth alongside Dr. Richard Tedeschi and Dr. Bret Moore. In 2017, Josh was named as one of60 Presidential Leadership Scholars, a program from the presidential centers of George W. Bush,William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Prior to joining Boulder Crest in2014, Josh worked as a communications executive at ExxonMobil's Dallas headquarters from2006-2011, and was an entrepreneur-in-residence at 2M Companies. In 2013, Josh decided todedicate his life to ensuring that all those who serve our nation have the opportunity to transformtheir struggle into profound strength and Posttraumatic Growth.

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Meet theInstructorsLieutenant Colonel Dave GrossmanUS Army (retired)Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (retired), is one of the world’sforemost experts in the field of human aggression and the roots ofviolence and violent crimes and those suffering from PTSD. ColonelGrossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier andspeaker, and owner of “Grossman ON TRUTH." Colonel Grossman is aformer West Point psychology professor and a Pulitzer Prize-nominatedauthor where his books are mandated reading material for the U.S. Marine Corps and the FBI Academy. Colonel Grossman has served as a trainer and keynotespeaker for all major national and international law enforcement training organizations and hastaught the representatives of literally thousands of federal and regional agencies in the UnitedStates, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and over a dozen foreign nations. Colonel Grossman’sresearch has been cited in a national address by the President of the United States. In the wake ofthe 9/11 terrorist attacks, Colonel Grossman is on the road nearly 250 days a year speaking to andtraining hundreds of law enforcement organizations and first responders educating them onhealth & wellness and resiliency. Colonel Grossman is a strong supporter of ValorNet and recentlyintroduced it to Ukraine for military and first responders to rely on for true crisis support services.

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Meet theInstructorsAllen HendricksonAllen Hendrickson is a Dothan Patrol officer with over 20 years of firstresponder and law enforcement experience. His unique stressmanagement perspective is the cumulative experience of workingpatrol, narcotics, investigations, state and federal task forces, violentcrimes, and many leadership positions. Allen has now taken the hardlessons learned from alcoholism and infidelity to use those bad decisionsto help others learn how to live a better lifestyle. Allen has also marriedAmy three times. They now teach and speak to law enforcement acrossthe country with hopes of giving them ways to live a much betterlifestyle. Amy HendricksonThe foundation of a first responder family is the spouse. We keep ourresponder going and absorb all their stress and home life problems, sothey don’t have to. I am the current spouse of a law enforcement officer (LEO) who has beena recovering alcoholic since August 3rd, 2015. I have stood by his lawenforcement career for 25 years, three divorces (from him), high stress,poor coping, and infidelity which took its toll on our family and me. I aim to provide you with stress management and communication tools as well as resiliency inyour life as a first responder spouse. I can lean on the lessons, personal experiences, and darktimes of raising our two children without much help from him during the hardest time of ourfamily and his career. We are doing well with our marriage and self-development, which hastranslated into our careers. My purpose is to help you and your family during our time, and I willlean on my experience to provide you with the tools I did not have.

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Meet theInstructorsT/Corporal Meghann HollowayT/Cpl Meghann Holloway has been an officer for twenty-two years andhas worked in various capacities including assignments in Patrol,Investigations, and in Education and Training as a primary academyinstructor. In 2016, T/Cpl. Holloway was selected for a new position asthe Mental Health Liaison, a position created to address gaps in themental health response system. She is a national level trainer on traumainformed practices in policing and is currently getting her master’s Sergeant Natalie HughesLouisville Metro Police DepartmentSergeant Natalie Hughes is a graduate of Indiana State University with adegree in Criminal Justice. Natalie joined the Louisville Metro PoliceDepartment in 2013. She was on patrol in the 1st Division and thenHALO in the 1st Division before being promoted in 2020. Oncepromoted she spent time in the 4th Division before transferring to theTraining Academy. She joined the Wellness Unit in 2023 as the WellnessSergeant. Natalie has been a part of the Peer Support Team since 2019and is currently the Peer Support Team Commander.degree in Social Work. After leading a large-scale needs assessment in 2019 analyzing availabledepartmental wellness resources, T/Cpl. Holloway was named as her agency's first WellnessCoordinator with the mission of supporting the specific high-stress needs of sworn and civilianmembers.Howard County (MD) Sheriff’s Office

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Meet theInstructorsDonnie Hutchinson, PhDDr. Donnie Hutchinson is nationally recognized as the Professor ofWork-Life Balance for First Responders. An Army National Guardveteran, author, speaker, and podcaster, he works with firefighters, lawenforcement officers, and other first responders to enhance success athome, work, and life through self-care and work-life balance programs.His work-life balance workshop is vetted and approved by the NationalFraternal Order of Police, making him a trusted leader in proactivebehavioral health training.As the Founder and CEO of the First Responder Center for Balance & Well-Being, Dr. Donnieaddresses the growing demand for first responder wellness services. He collaborates with aboard of public safety professionals dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and balance.Dr. Donnie has a national presence, serving as an instructor for organizations such as FDSOA,FDIC, IAFC, and IAFF. For over seven years, he has presented at the International Association ofFire Fighters (IAFF/ALTS) annual conferences and delivered workshops for law enforcement,EMS, fire districts, and first responder organizations nationwide.He is the author of Lead with Balance: How to Master Work-Life Balance in an ImbalancedCulture and co-author of Diversity and Inclusion in the Global Workplace, where he exploresgenerational and cultural perspectives on work-life balance.Dr. Donnie resides in Palm Coast, Florida, with his wife, Marlene. He is a proud father of fourchildren and two bonus daughters, and his son, a U.S. Army combat veteran, serves as a full-timefirefighter.

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Meet theInstructorsShelley Jones graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondalewith a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice and wenton to work as a Missouri Probation and Parole Officer. In 1993, she washired as a patrol officer by the Columbia (MO) Police Department and10 years later joined their new Motorcycle Unit. She retired as anAssistant Chief after 21 years of service. Ms. Jones is the recipient of theMedal Valor and was named Missouri Peace Officer of Year in 1996.Shelley JonesSurvivors of Blue SuicideIn 2014, upon retiring from law enforcement, Ms. Jones joined National Concerns of PoliceSurvivors as the Director of Operations. While at C.O.P.S. she learned that the leadership wasconcerned about the lack of services for the families of officers who die by suicide. Ms. Jonessubmitted a proposal to the National Board and in May 2020, with the blessing and support ofC.O.P.S., left C.O.P.S. along with another staff member, and together they started a new non-profitorganization, Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation, Inc. (SBS). SBS’s mission is to foster hope byuniting survivors of law enforcement suicide to support one another and honor our fallen heroes.Ms. Jones is a surviving co-worker of Columbia Police Officer Michael Goldberg who died bysuicide in 2007 and Officer Molly Thomas-Bowden who was killed in the line of duty in 2005.

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Meet theInstructorsMarc JunkermanInternational Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Behind the Line, Inc.Marc “Junk” Junkerman is an independent contractor with theInternational Critical Incident Stress Foundation and Behind the Line,Inc. He gave 33 years of overlapping service as a solider and as a lawenforcement deputy with a full-service sheriff’s office in the Baltimorearea. He is recognized as one of Maryland’s pioneering architects in thedevelopment of public safety oriented mental health and wellnessprograms. In 2016, he was tapped by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General to help develop its peer support program. He wasalso a reoccurring wellness and leadership presenter for the FBI’s Greater Chesapeake LawEnforcement Executive Leadership Seminar for over a decade.Marc’s current focus is in helping organizations implement and sustain supportive wellnesscultures. He is fortunate to consult and present across the nation and is often tapped askeynote speaker. He holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Lebanon ValleryCollege as well as graduate degree in Management and graduate certificate in Leadership fromJohns Hopkins University.Marc is married to a retired police officer. He and his wife share a son currently serving as anactive law enforcement officer, two daughters in the nursing the field, and a brother-in-law whoworks as a corrections officer. It is this skin in the game which continues to fuel his passion forservice.

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Meet theInstructorsJohn KellyNational keynote presenter and law enforcement life coach, Retired Sgt.John Kelly faced several attempts on his life from suspects over his 30year career in law enforcement. None of these attempts came as closeto killing him, as he did to killing himself. Author of "Surviving Self-Inflicted Wounds, A Deputy's Life of Redemption" chronicles his lifejourney. An alcoholic, addict, and adulterer, confronting PTS, andsuicidal ideation, John tears open his life, to provide a roadmap topersonal accountability and growth. His “Sometimes Heroes Need Help” Rachel KennedyOfficer Rachel Kennedy has worked for the Lexington (Kentucky) PoliceDepartment since 2017. She has served as a patrol officer, a departmentstrength and conditioning coach, the recruiter, and is currently assignedas the department’s wellness officer. As the wellness officer, Racheloversees the department’s wellness program, LexPDFit. The programaims to offer a wide variety of information and resources to its personnelin all areas of wellness, including but not limited to financial, relationship,physical, and emotional wellness. Rachel is a NSCA certified TacticalStrength and Conditioning Facilitator and has always had a passion forhealth, fitness, and well-being. She enjoys bringing her knowledge andresources to department personnel to improve their quality of life.Program takes a tactical approach to personal development and team building. The programaddresses the personal, professional, financial, physical, and mental health of the first responder.By having real, raw, and unfiltered, conversations about the things we never talk about, theindividual is empowered to be their own wellness advocate. John's vulnerability in discussing hisfailures gives the audience permission to forgive themselves and more importantly the courageand strength to keep getting up, striving to be better today than yesterday. Join John Kelly as hetakes you on a journey of discovery into how you apply your tactics to survive "Self InflictedWounds”.

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Meet theInstructorsMelinda LinasMelinda Linas is a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, currentlyserving as Commander of the 14th District. She is known for her unwaveringdedication to public service, community empowerment, and exceptionalleadership. Throughout her career, Melinda has held a variety of critical roles,including Commander of the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform,where she oversaw several key units, such as the Tactical Review and EvaluationDivision (TRED), the 4th Amendment Stop Unit, and CompStat. She previouslycommanded the citywide Community Safety Team (CST), where she also servedas a Lieutenant.In addition to her distinguished law enforcement career, Melinda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree inCriminology from Marquette University and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from John Marshall Law School. Shehas been practicing law since 2008. Melinda’s journey of service began with her time in the WisconsinArmy National Guard and Illinois Army Reserves, where she rose to the rank of Lieutenant due to herdedication and outstanding abilities.A breast cancer survivor, Melinda’s battle with the disease strengthened her resolve to support others. Shewas deeply affected by the loss of her co-worker and best friend to breast cancer and has since focused onempowering women in under-resourced communities, channeling her passion into providing access tosupport, education, and vital resources.Three years ago, Commander Linas experienced a profound personal and professional loss when a youngofficer under her command died by suicide. Shortly thereafter, another traumatic event occurred when aCST officer was murdered during a traffic stop, and her partner was severely wounded but survived. Thesetragedies deepened Melinda's commitment to addressing trauma and mental health within the police force.Her leadership in navigating these incidents with compassion and honesty set an example for her unit andfurther fueled her dedication to erasing the stigma around mental health and trauma among officers andmilitary veterans.Melinda is an active member of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) and the ProfessionalWomen's Club of Chicago (PWCC). She also devotes her time to non-profit organizations like Erase PTSDNow, advocating for alternative treatments and destigmatizing PTSD for trauma survivors.When not actively engaged in public service, Melinda enjoys golfing, cooking, traveling and cherishing timewith her husband and two daughters.

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Meet theInstructorsEugene Lipov, MDEugene Lipov is one of the world’s leading experts on the physicalconsequences of trauma. As a board-certified physician in anesthesiology &pain, Chief Medical Officer at Stella Center, founder of Erase PTSD Now! andauthor, Dr Lipov has made it his mission to help others find relief from symptomsof stress, anxiety, etc. and restore hope to their spirit.In his book The Invisible Machine: The Startling Truth about Trauma and theScientific Breakthrough that can Transform Your Life (April 11, 2023), Dr. Lipovalong with other leading experts, shares a new understanding for post-traumatic stress and a safe & effective treatment that could have profound implications for medicine, mental healthand society at large.He received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Northwestern University (1980), a medical degreefrom Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (1984) and surgical residency at Cook CountyHospital/University of Illinois. Dr. Lipov spent two years in an anesthesiology residency at the University ofIllinois before completing his training at Rush St Luke's with advanced training in pain management. In 2006, he pioneered the use of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for the treatment for post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD) — a procedure that was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)in the 1920s to treat certain types of pain and circulation disorders. Dr. Lipov was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Research by the American Society of InterventionalPain Physicians (ASIPP). His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, theChicago Tribune, USA Today, Wired, Playboy, Univision, Stars & Stripes, and it has been featured on CBSThis Morning, ABC, NBC and WGN.Additionally, in 2008, Dr. Lipov founded Erase PTSD Now, a nonprofit focused on eradicating post-traumatic stress from the lives of those impacted by it. Today, somewhere between 5000 -10,000 patientshave been successfully treated with SGB and DSR and many are now reaching 10-15 years of relief. Dr. Lipov lives in Chicago with his wife Robin and son Sam. In his free time, he enjoys the company of hispoodle Gomez, reading fantasy and military science fiction and playing games of competitive Rummikub.

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Meet theInstructorsErin Maccabee, CDCAErin is an Integration Coach with over 8 years of experience dedicatedto helping first responders navigate mental health challenges. Trained bythe International Coaching Federation (ICF), she specializes inintegrating treatment tools to foster growth and resilience. She is also aChemical Dependency Clinician at Whole House Counseling, where Erinspecializes in recovery for first responders. Her culturally competentapproach combines a determined, "get things done" attitude withruthless compassion, transcending the typical coach role to become aSherri Martin, MA LPCASherri Martin serves as the National Director of Wellness Services for theFraternal Order of Police (FOP). A career police officer, Sherri hasextensive experience in crisis negotiation and intervention, serving mostof her law enforcement career as a patrol supervisor and lead crisisnegotiator. While a member of the Charleston (SC) Police Department,she achieved the rank of Lieutenant, and was responsible for thedevelopment of programs in officer wellness and crisis intervention NFOP Director of Wellness Serviceswithin the community. Sherri earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from theUniversity of North Carolina and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology fromthe Citadel, where she was chosen by faculty to receive the J. Patrick Leverett Award presentedto the most outstanding graduate student in the Psychology program. In 2020, she earned atPostgraduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.Additionally, Sherri worked as a trauma therapist at Ralph H. Johnston Veterans Affairs Hospital inSouth Carolina. She is licensed as a Professional Counselor Associate in the State of Connecticut.Sherri is a member of the National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide and hasserved as a contributor at various symposia on officer wellness and police suicide. She is apublished author, and along with the COPS Office of the US Department of Justice, developedthe FOP Wellness Provider Vetting Guide. ICF Trained-Integration Coachguiding force on the journey to resilience, recovery, and meaningful change.Erin is also the co-founder, producer, and co-host of After the Tones Drop, the mental healthpodcast for first responders. In this role, she explores and destigmatizes behavioral health issueswithin the first responder community utilizing both her clinical expertise as well as sharing storiesof first responders who have experienced their own transformational mental health journey. Sheis committed to offering unwavering support and guidance to those ready to embark on atransformative journey.She resides in Hilliard, OH with her husband Rob, their two children, and their silver goldendoodle, Mario.

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Meet theInstructorsBill MAZUR is a 25-year law enforcement veteran and retired in 2017 atthe rank of Deputy Chief of Police. Bill holds a Bachelor’s Degree inCriminal Justice from Stockton University and a Master’s Degree inHuman Resources Training and Development in the Police GraduateStudies Program from Seton Hall University. Bill is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #256, andserved as a Master Instructor with the FBI National Academy Associates, William Mazurin their Comprehensive Officer Resiliency Training Program. He also acts as a Liaison for the NJState Resilience Program for law Enforcement. Bill has worked in the behavioral healthcare field exclusively, as a Public Safety Liaison, to providespecialized treatment guidance for public safety personnel, first responders and their familieswho may find themselves in a personal crisis because of a mental health issue or substance usedisorder. Sergeant Brad Miller is an 18-year veteran of the Louisville Metro PoliceDepartment (LMPD) currently assigned to the Wellness Unit where heserves as the Early Intervention Coordinator. The Early InterventionSystem provides supervisors with a tool to monitor, identify, and guideofficers who may need assistance in training or wellness. Prior to servingas the Early Intervention Coordinator Sgt. Miller served in the TrainingDivision.Sergeant Brad MillerLouisville Metro Police Department

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Meet theInstructorsSonny Provetto, MSW, LICSWSonny Provetto, MSW, LICSW, is the founder of the Vermont Center forResponder Wellness. As an EMDRIA-approved consultant and formerpolice officer, Sonny brings a wealth of experience and dedication to thefield of responder wellness. His research focuses on maintainingresilience among responders in the face of trauma. Sonny provides proactive wellness services to over 20 departments inVermont. With over 36 years of combined experience as a police officer and emergency mental health clinician, his clinical practice is deeply informed by his firsthandexperiences. He consults on stress and trauma issues with police officers, firefighters, emergencyresponders, and their organizations, working closely with them and developing proactivewellness programming. In 2017, Sonny played a pivotal role in his testimony before the Vermont legislature as a subjectmatter expert on PTSD, influencing legislation that made Vermont the first state to recognizePTSD as a compensable work-related injury for first responders. He is also the recipient of theEMDRIA Advocacy Award for his contributions to advancing EMDR practices with responderssoon after traumatic events. Sonny is currently conducting research on the Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP), which hedeveloped to reduce acute stress symptoms and enhance responder resilience if used soon aftera traumatic event. His work aims to measure the effectiveness of ASAP in mitigating theimmediate impacts of trauma and fostering long-term resilience among first responders.Monica PrietoDeputy Chief Prieto began her career in public safety with the TucsonPolice Department in 1999 and has worked in various areas throughoutthe agency. She has held assignments in Patrol Services, the CommunityResponse Team, Street Narcotics Unit, Internal Affairs, and the CentralInvestigations Division. She spent several years as a detective before herpromotion to sergeant and subsequent ranks. She was promoted toAssistant Chief in 2022 after serving as the Southside Patrol Division Tucson (AZ) Police Commander and appointed to Deputy Chief in 2023. As second in command, DC Prietocurrently oversees the Executive Office Bureau, which consists of the Office of ProfessionalStandards, the Public Information Office, and the Wellness Division.Deputy Chief Prieto has attended executive education training with the Police ExecutiveResearch Forum Senior Management Institute for Police; she is also a graduate of NorthwesternUniversity’s Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command.

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Meet theInstructorsCinnamon Reiheld, MA, MSW, LISW-S, LICDC, CCTPCinnamon's journey into trauma and mental health began in 1998 withher work in Americorp, resettling war refugees from Eastern Europe andCentral and South Americans fleeing violence. This experience ignitedher lifelong commitment to understanding and addressing the impactsof trauma. She now specializes in providing behavioral health services tofirst responders, including fire service, emergency medicine, lawenforcement, military, and emergency communication personnel acrossOhio and the Tristate area. Cinnamon's engagement with first responders began earnestly in 2017 following a line-of-dutydeath in a local department, which deepened her involvement and dedication to this community.Today, she is the proud owner and operator of Whole House Counseling, a private practicebased in Cincinnati, Ohio, dedicated to serving first responders and their families, encapsulatingher unwavering dedication to healing and support.Cinnamon also supports first responder peer teams, manages departmental wellness programs,delivers training, and serves as a national speaker to destigmatize mental health within thiscommunity. As co-host of the podcast After the Tones Drop, she furthers her mission to promotemental health awareness. Cinnamon resides in Loveland, OH with her husband Ed and their pug, Ben.

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Meet theInstructorsJoe RizuttiFirst Responder Wellness of Merrimack ValleyJoe Rizzuti is a founding member of First Responder Wellness ofMerrimack Valley, an organization providing mental health and wellnessservices and training to first responders in the region. With over 27 yearsof experience as a retired police officer, Joe has dedicated himself tosupporting his brothers and sisters in the first responder community. Hisdeep connection to public service is rooted in a firefighting family andfurther enriched by his time as a veteran who served on both active duty and with the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a Military Police officer.Joe’s dedication to service is marked by his achievements as the youngest NCO to attend theadvanced military police NCO course at 25 and his distinction as the youngest Army NationalGuard soldier to become a recruiter at the age of 20 with the rank of corporal. His passionextends to the mental health of first responders, advocating for accessible, quality, andconfidential mental health services.In addition to his remarkable career, Joe is a survivor of a harrowing motorcycle accident and hasfaced personal traumas including the loss of a good friend to police suicide and a line-of-dutydeath within his agency. He holds certifications as a peer support specialist, a Substance AbuseCounselor specializing in First Responders and their families, and a Certified Recovery Coach.Joe earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement Management and is trained in suicideprevention and intervention as a member of the local critical incident team.A nationally published author, Joe shares his personal journey in "A Cop's Story," highlighting hisexperiences of growing up with a learning disability and overcoming challenges to become apolice officer in a bustling urban environment.Beyond his professional roles, Joe is a strong advocate for mental health awareness, workingtirelessly to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness. His dedication and compassionmake him a valuable asset to the team, significantly impacting the lives of first responders in theMerrimack Valley.

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Meet theInstructorsVance RowIn November 2019, Vance discovered that a yoga practice is a powerfulcommunity of connection and challenges. Through his regular practice,Vance has found an incredible amount of physical and mental benefitsincluding making him a far calmer person. At that time, Vance wasstruggling with his own mental health issues which included a toxic workenvironment, career ending injury, and poor coping mechanisms likeabusing alcohol.Prior to becoming a Yoga Teacher, Vance was a Police Officer for more than twenty years andworked for both Ocean City, MD Police and Salisbury, MD Police during his Law Enforcementcareer. After seeing the physical and mental benefits yoga provided for Vance, he decided thathe wanted to teach yoga to other First Responders/ Public Safety Professionals. Vancecompleted his 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) thru Yoga- Vibez in Ocean City, MD inMarch 2021. Throughout his training, Vance was mentored in the Hatha Yoga tradition by TanaMartin (RYT-500). Since that time, he has also completed Warriors at Ease Training, Aerial YogaTeacher Training and Veterans Yoga Project Mindful Resilience. Most recently, Vance has begunhis 300- hour YTT thru Guiding Wellness Institute (Fayetteville, NC). Vance has regularly given presentations where he addresses some of the factors that affectedhim in his Law Enforcement Career. In his presentation, “Calming stormy seas, how yoga calmedmy storm within”…Vance describes how police culture and stress led to potentially catastrophicresults. Vance now speaks on topics related to suicide prevention, alcohol abuse, and overallwellness for those in all First Responder Communities. Through Yoga Classes, Vance blends a practice mixed with breath, movement, and mindfulnessfor an overall feeling of wellbeing. During these sessions students can expect to move, stretch,work of alignment, build strength, and nurture flexibility. He believes that the practice of Yoga isreally for anyone and makes his classes fun and accessible to ANY level. Ultimately, his story shows the power of yoga in resilience and why Vance wants to use yoga tocombat First Responder/ Military Suicide. In November 2021, Vance founded “Yoga Rescue” asa way to do so…

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Meet theInstructorsSarah RussellSarah Russell has been involved in her local FOP auxiliary since 2008,and has held the position of President for 11 years.She is the 2nd Vice President on the Kentucky State Auxiliary ExecutiveBoard and holds positions on the National Auxiliary's Wellness andConstitution and Bylaws Committees.Sarah works for Congressman Andy Barr as a Constituent ServicesRepresentative. Her husband Jeremy is the President of his local FOPlodge and is a Sergeant with the Lexington PD. They have 4 children,and she has homeschooled them for 14 years.Lewis Schlosser, PhD, ABPPLewis Z. Schlosser, PhD, ABPP, is the managing partner at the Institutefor Forensic Psychology, which is a police and public safety focusedspecialty practice serving agencies in New Jersey, New York, Maine,Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Dr. Schlosser is alicensed psychologist in New York, New Jersey, Maine, Pennsylvania,Virginia, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. He is BoardCertified in Police and Public Safety Psychology by the American Boardof Professional Psychology.Dr. Schlosser has conducted over 20,000 police and public safety psychological evaluations,including pre-employment and fitness for duty evaluations. He provides training to police andpublic safety personnel on a variety of topics related to officer mental health, with specialexpertise in fitness for duty and officer wellness. Dr. Schlosser is a member and past Chair of thePolice Psychological Services Section of the IACP. He currently serves as the Chief Psychologistfor the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the Delaware Association of Chiefsof Police.NFOP Auxiliary

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Meet theInstructorsRick SnyderNFOP ChaplainRick Snyder serves as Chaplain for the National Fraternal Order of Police,providing spiritual support for nearly 375,000 members across America.He provides services for the FOP National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC, assists families of Fallen Officers, and serves the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team National Law Enforcement Ministry witha focus of Sharing Hope in Crisis and Critical Incident Stress Management.Rick is also the President of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police representing over 3,000officers and their families throughout Central Indiana.With 27 years of law enforcement experience, Rick has been featured on many national and localmedia affiliates related to law enforcement. Rick received his MBA from Indiana WesleyanUniversity where he received top honors as the Outstanding Professional Award recipient. Hisgraduate work also includes a Certificate in Public Management from Indiana University. Rick is recognized for his deep commitments to our officers and communities.

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Meet theInstructorsVictoria SpeedVickie Speed is the CEO/Founder of Blue Cancer Connect, whose mission is toshow empathy, provide encouragement, and offer support following a life-altering diagnosis of cancer.Vickie’s inspiration to establish BCC came from her own life experience, whichbegan the day she and her husband, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s DepartmentDetective Mitch Speed, heard his doctor say, “Mitch, you have stage-4 cancer.” As Mitch and Vickie left the doctor’s office hand in hand, Mitch said, “Vickie, we will not ask why? We willnever say ‘Why us?’ We will always say, ‘Why not us?’ And we will ask God to use us.”For the next twenty-six months, Vickie juggled her home life and her career while making financial decisionsand dealing with treatment options, departmental benefits, medical treatments, worker’s comp issues, andattorneys.Detective Mitch Speed succumbed to job-related cancer in 2018. A retired public works project manager and the mother of one adult son, Vickie is an accomplished author,public speaker, and advocate for members of law enforcement who have also heard the words, you havecancer. She is firmly anchored in her commitment to ensure that in this family, no one fights alone.Today, Blue Cancer Connect serves members of law enforcement and their families beginning with itsthree-step approach to (1) bring education, awareness, and opportunities for early detection, (2) offerdirection for treatment options and second opinions, and (3) offer officer to officer peer support for thosewho have been in the battle. In 2024, Blue Cancer Connect established a cancer wellness program in partnership with the Los AngelesCounty Sheriff’s Department, the first of its kind in the nation. During her presentation, Vickie Speed willshare her personal story, present inspirational videos of officers who beat cancer, provide the tools BCCoffers to agencies, and explain why this national conversation about cancer is important to the lawenforcement community.

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Meet theInstructorsJeremy SpragueJeremy Sprague is a police lieutenant for the Des Moines, Iowa PoliceDepartment. He is also the president of the Central Iowa Lodge of theFraternal Order of Police and the president of the Peer SupportFoundation, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening and supporting firstresponders throughout their careers. Throughout his career, Jeremy has personally navigated various criticalincidents including several OIS’s, active school shootings, numerous child deaths, and managed the aftermath of LODD’s and employee suicides. Each of these high-pressure situations has shaped Jeremy's dedication to improving the resiliency and wellness offirst responders. Jeremy created Iowa’s first public safety peer support program, which has since become a modelfor agencies across the nation. Jeremy expanded his peer support model to establish the PeerSupport Foundation which strengthens and supports first responders nationwide throughwellness and resiliency training and providing resources to manage the mental health challengesthat come with the line of work. Jeremy is a highly regarded keynote speaker on topics such as employee wellness and resiliency,PTSD, and suicide awareness, having presented at numerous national and regional conferences,including the National Fraternal Order of Police Wellness Summit, National COPS Conference,national Teamsters Law Enforcement League, among others. Jeremy has presented to numerous organizations and conferences about peer support,employee wellness, PTSD, suicide awareness, and other topics. He as presented at the NationalConcerns of Police Survivors Conference, National Fraternal Order of Police Wellness Summit,International Brotherhood of Teamsters Law Enforcement League, Iowa Association of Chiefs ofPolice, Iowa Teamsters Law Enforcement, Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association, ImpactIowa, Iowa Association of Women Police, Iowa Corrections Association, Iowa Law EnforcementAcademy, Des Moines Area Community College, and numerous public safety agenciesthroughout the Midwest. Jeremy holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in EmergencyManagement Administration. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staffand Command where he now serves as a SPSC instructor. He is a certified FBI Law EnforcementInstructor, an instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and holdscertification in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland-BaltimoreCounty.

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Meet theInstructorsMatthew Stiehm, EdD, MS, MADr. Matthew J. Stiehm earned an Educational Doctorate from ArgosyUniversity, where the focus of his research was higher educationcampus safety and security. Dr. Stiehm has published articles and hasbeen interviewed on topics related to campus safety, security and lawenforcement. He completed his M.A. in Psychological Services andCounseling where he focused on mental health issues facing firstresponders (law enforcement). Dr. Stiehm also has a Master’s Degree ofCriminal Justice from Central Missouri State University, He works full time as an Outpatient Therapist for Nystrom and Associates, one of the largest firms in theMinneapolis/Metro Area. Dr. Stiehm has served as a police officer in three states (CA, MN and NE), and formally retired inJuly 2024. Dr. Stiehm also has worked as an adjunct instructor for the Federal Law Enforcement TrainingCenter in Glynco, Georgia. He has authored articles in POLICEONE, CORRECTIONSONE, LawOfficer Magazine, ILEETA Journal, and the IACP Magazine.

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Meet theInstructorsRichard Tedeschi, PhDRichard Tedeschi, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus in the Department ofPsychological Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte,and Executive Director of the Boulder Crest Institute for PosttraumaticGrowth, in Bluemont, Virginia, where he has been one of thedevelopers of programs based on posttraumatic growth principles tohelp combat veterans and first responders. He has published ten books and numerous professional articles on trauma, bereavement,and on posttraumatic growth, a term he coined and introduced to the psychologicalliterature while at UNC Charlotte. He was a member of the Graduate Faculty there, andtaught several undergraduate and graduate courses.These included Professional Ethics,Introduction to Psychological Treatment, Psychology of Personality, and PositivePsychology. He was chair of many Masters theses and Doctoral dissertation committees. Heserved as the Coordinator of the Masters program in Clinical/Community Psychology formany years.Dr. Tedeschi serves as a consultant to the American Psychological Association on traumaand resilience, and is a Fellow of the Division of Trauma Psychology and the Division ofPsychotherapy. He is also a member of the Division of Military Psychology and the Divisionof Independent Practice. He is a Past President of the North Carolina PsychologicalAssociation.

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Meet theInstructorsKristina WatersKristina has been actively involved with the FOP Auxiliary for 20 years.Kristina worked with the Utah FOP President to form the first auxiliary inUtah, starting the West Jordan Utah Auxiliary. After working for 12 yearsto help start other lodges, the Utah State Auxiliary was formed, whereshe currently serves as President. Kristina was the first National AuxiliaryTrustee for Utah. She has been on the National Auxiliary Board for thelast 8 years, currently serving as the National Auxiliary Vice President. Kristina is the owner of Redwood Therapy Group in West Jordan Utah employing 8 full-timelicensed therapists. Redwood Therapy was the first vetted therapy office for the Utah FOPFoundation helping officers receive trauma therapy and EMDR. We are dedicated to helping firstresponders and their families.Redwood Therapy is a proud supporter of the Utah Black & BlueGala, which raises money for the Utah FOP Foundation that offers free therapy sessions for allsworn LE Officers in the state. Judah Viola, PhDJudah Viola, PhD is a Community Psychologist and Professor ofPsychology at National Louis University (NLU) in Chicago, Illinois wherehe leads NLU’s PhD program in Community psychology and previouslyserved as Dean of the College of Professional Studies andAdvancement. Dr. Viola is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prevention andIntervention in the Community (JPIC). He is a fellow of the Midwestern Psychological Association as well as Division 27 of the American Psychological Association. Dr.Viola consults with local and national and international nonprofits specializing in programevaluation, community building, and collaborative community research. His research andadvocacy interests include neighborhood revitalization, community police relations, PosttraumaticGrowth, disability rights, access to healthcare and healthy food.For more information see: https://works.bepress.com/judah_viola/ NFOP Auxiliary

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ExhibitingVendorsPlatinum SponsorsFirstNet Built with AT&TSilver SponsorsValorNet Copper Sponsors1st Watch WellnessBlue Sponsors1st Responder ConferencesAfter ActionChateau Health & WellnessColumbia Southern UniversityCopLineEnthea

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ExhibitingVendorsBlue Sponsors, continuedFHE HealthFinancial CopFirst Responder WellnessFOP Member Benefits TrustFutures Recovery HealthcareHarbor of GraceHopeWayInternational Critical Incident StressFoundation (ICISF)Lighthouse Health & WellnessPeerConnectSWORNThrive with ChaosThe Wounded Blue

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Exhibiting VendorLayout1st ResponderConferences1st WatchWellnessValorNetRegistrationDeskHarborof GraceAfterActionHopeWayEntheaChateauHealthThrivewithChaosFuturesRecoveryPeerConnectSWORNCopLineTheWoundedBlueICISFFHEHealthFinancialCopFOP MemberBenefits TrustLighthouseHealth &WellnessFirstResponderWellnessColumbiaSouthernUniversityFirstNet

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800-451-2711 | 615-399-0900701 Marriott Drive, Nashville, TN 37214www.fop.netNational OfficeDivision of Officer WellnessSherri Martin, DirectorEmail: sherrimartin@fop.netPhone: 615-878-2620Contact Information