DATE:
July 16, 2024
20
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
TitleRECEIVE UPDATE ON THE EXPLORATION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCING PROBATION STAFF WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On February 27, 2024 (16), the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to work with the County of San Diego Probation Department (Probation) to look for opportunities and resources to enhance staff wellness and mental health and identify recommendations for enhancing the wellness program that would benefit the department and its staff. Today's item provides an update on the work done to date.
Research shows that probation officer stress stems from two primary sources: 1) the demands of responding to critical incidents, and 2) more mundane organizational stressors, ranging from understaffed shifts to mandatory overtime. Studies show reducing probation officer stress and increasing wellness can reduce the number of critical incidents and facilitate positive engagement with all clients. Supporting probation officers' physical, mental, and emotional health is fundamental to creating safer communities, building meaningful relationships, and providing better services to the residents of San Diego County.
The Probation Department aims to foster a culture of wellness within the organization. Benefits of a comprehensive wellness program include better job performance, improved recruitment and retention, and enhanced relationships both internally and externally. Having access to wellness resources can lead to fewer complaints, a reduction in the use of sick days, and less uses of force incidents.
Today's action includes receiving a presentation regarding Probation's wellness program and accepting staff recommendations for enhancing the department's existing wellness program. Recommendations include expanding the department's current wellness program by reallocating resources to provide one dedicated staff for the Wellness Uni...
Click here for full text