The HEART Peer Support Team is made up of CSCD employees trained to provide no-cost support and practical help to their colleagues following a significant event, stressor, or challenge that is affecting normal function in the workplace. Peer Support is in a safe and confidential fashion, and is a less formal intervention by those who walk the same path and understand CSCD jobs and the types of stress they may experience.
The 87th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 64 in 2021 creating Peer Support Network for Law Enforcement. In 2023, The Helping Employees at Risk Team, known as H.E.A.R.T., was created. That same year, initial training was provided for volunteers.
H.E.A.R.T. is defined as a voluntary program that offers assistance, appropriate resources and information to employees during times of professional difficulties which may adversely affect an employee’s personal or professional well-being or job performance. H.E.A.R.T. can be utilized by Community Supervision Officers, any CSCD Employee, their families, or anyone on community supervision.
There are currently 14 Peer Support Team Members from 10 departments across Texas. They are all volunteers, full-time CSCD Employees and were trained through the Correctional Management Institute of Texas.
A critical incident is a significant event, stressor, or challenge that affects normal functioning in the workplace, as well as overwhelms an individual’s usual coping mechanisms. Additionally, a critical incident can also be an extreme event which falls outside the range of normal experiences. A critical incident is not defined by the incident itself, but rather by an individual’s or an organization's reaction to what occurred. The only requirement for someone to seek assistance from H.E.A.R.T. is that they have been involved in an incident that has impacted their ability to cope and function normally in the workplace.
Death
The death of a client or coworker, especially by suicide, can deeply affect employees emotionally, mentally, and professionally.
Violence
Threats or acts of violence against staff can create significant emotional stress and may impact an employee’s sense of safety and wellbeing.
Life Stressors
Personal and workplace stressors can create significant emotional strain and may impact an employee’s mental health, wellbeing, and ability to cope effectively.
Peer support is a less formal intervention by those who walk the same path and understand CSCD employees’ jobs and the types of stress they may experience. Peers provide emotional support for CSCD employees and participate in a department’s comprehensive response to critical incidents.
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