Marital Skills Resiliency Training (MSRT) Proposal presented to the Los Angeles City Council by Sergeant Tim Nordquist EMER 545 – Disaster Mental Health

Marital Skills Resiliency Training(MSRT)

Proposal presented to the Los Angeles City Councilby Sergeant Tim Nordquist

EMER 545 – Disaster Mental Health Issues in Emergency Mangement

California State University Long BeachProfessor: Dr. Kendall Johnson

Marital Resiliency Skills TrainingPilot Program Proposal

Grant ApplicationDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of Health and Human Services• $1,000,000 over 4 year Program Period• Successful Pilot Program required• Minimum of 50 couples• 4 months of Pilot Program• $30,000 needed for start up


Rationale for MRSTPublic Safety Career Affects Marriages• Stress of job impacts marriage• Marriage is best source of support• Emotional Labor• Acute Stress Response• Delayed Stress Response


Rationale for MRSTNegative Impacts of Marital Stress• Reduced performance• Increased Worker’s Compensation Claims• Increased sick time usage• Increased absenteeism• Increased personnel complaints


Disaster Management Plan

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

• Mental health planning as part of plan• Employee Wellness plan


Program DescriptionMonthly Training Sessions• Held at offices of Behavior Science

Services (BSS)• Small groups of participating couples• Facilitated by Police Psychologist, Sworn

Assistant, Civilian Assistant


Stress Factors• Schedule and shift changes including

working nights, weekends, and holidays• Emotional labor and emotional exhaustion

experienced by police officers• Attitudes and values in the police culture• Daily exposure to traumatic events• Daily exposure to resistance to authority


Resiliency Skills• Mutual empathy• Mutual respect• Mutual appreciation• Communication and listening skills• Spending recreational time together• Developing mutual interests• Reduction of divided loyalties such as when

officers are overcommitted to their jobs


Resiliency Skills• The danger of over-identification with the

police role• Increased intimacy• Sexuality• Financial management skills• Chemical dependance


Critical GatekeepersApproved by the Director of Behavior Science

Services (BSS)

In order to effectively accomplish the mission of the LAPD, we must have physically and

emotionally healthy employees.


BudgetInitial Request of $30,000 for Pilot Program

Implementation

Remainder of Costs to be covered by

$1,000,000 Grant


Recruitment PlanBrochure describing MRST Program• Mailed to employee residences• Addressed to “Family of” employee• Target of recruitment will be spouse of

employee


Program Leaders14 Police Psychologist – Program Leaders• Expertise, accreditation, credibility• Clinical experience• Assigned to each station• Assisted by sworn and civilian assistant

leaders


Program EvaluationPre-Test1. How happy are you in your marriage right now?

1- Very Unhappy 2-Unhappy 3-Happy 4-Very Happy

2. How happy do you think your spouse is in your marriage right now?1- Very Unhappy 2-Unhappy 3-Happy 4-Very Happy

3. For Employees: How happy is your spouse with your career with the LAPD?For Spouses: How happy are you with your spouse’s career with the LAPD?1- Very Unhappy 2-Unhappy 3-Happy 4-Very Happy

4. How helpful has the LAPD’s Marital Resiliency Skills Training Program been?1- Not at all Helpful 2-Slightly Helpful 3-Very Helpful


Program EvaluationPost-Test1. How happy are you in your marriage right now?

1- Very Unhappy 2-Unhappy 3-Happy 4-Very Happy

2. How happy do you think your spouse is in your marriage right now?1- Very Unhappy 2-Unhappy 3-Happy 4-Very Happy

3. For Employees: How happy is your spouse with your career with the LAPD?For Spouses: How happy are you with your spouse’s career with the LAPD?1- Very Unhappy 2-Unhappy 3-Happy 4-Very Happy

4. How helpful has the LAPD’s Marital Resiliency Skills Training Program been?1- Not at all Helpful 2-Slightly Helpful 3-Very Helpful


Implementation Barriers

Implementation Barriers Strategies to Overcome Barriers Police officers’ negative

perception of seeking assistance for relationship and mental health issues.

Positive image of MRST Program presented in the brochure mailed to all employee households.

Police officers’ perception that they must be strong and self-sufficient.

Police officer’s perception that seeking assistance means they are weak.

Address these misperceptions in the brochure mailed to all employee households.

Many couples cannot attend MRST Program activities due to child care issues.

Provide child care and highlight this provision in the brochure mailed to all employee households.


IntegrationEnhance Services Provided by:• Behavioral Science Services (BSS)• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)• Managed Health Network (MHN)


ConclusionBenefits of MRST:• Increased performance• Reduced Worker’s Compensation Claims• Reduced sick time usage• Reduced absenteeism• Reduced personnel complaints

Documents

Marital Skills Resiliency Training (MSRT) Proposal presented to the Los Angeles City Council by Sergeant Tim Nordquist EMER 545 – Disaster Mental Health