BOP Program Statement 5337.01 § 2

■ Critical Incident - Critical incidents are unexpected or disruptive events and range from

small- to large-scale, affecting as few as one staff member or all staff at one or multiple

institutions.

■ Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) - CISD is a type of intervention useful after a

critical incident to mitigate the effects of trauma.

■ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – A workplace sponsored program to promote

mental health and wellness for staff and their families.

■ Family Support Center (FSC) - An area or shelter designed for staff families. In a

protracted incident, family members can gather here to receive information in an area that

provides privacy.

■ Home/Hospital visit - When CST visit staff in their home or hospital when a staff member is

experiencing a personal crisis.

■ Individual Outreach - When CST becomes aware of a staff member who is having

difficulties, CST can reach out on an individual basis to provide support. If needed, they can

refer staff to community resources or EAP. This does not require full-team activation.

■ On-scene Support Center (OSSC) - A designated area at an institution which is easily

accessible for staff to receive information, resources, and support.

■ Peer-Support Services - Support services provided to staff by co-workers. Services are

supportive in nature and not considered psychological treatment. Services are aimed at

developing a culture of caring in the workplace and help staff maintain adequate levels of

wellness and resilience. Peer-Support Services can act as a liaison between staff who are

experiencing stressors and providers of more intensive intervention.

■ Psychological First Aid - A set of skills used in response to an acute crisis to help an

individual return to their wellness baseline. These skills help mitigate the effects of trauma

or maladjustment.

■ Resilience - How quickly an individual returns to their baseline of wellness following a

stressor and the ability to grow and thrive in the face of challenges.

■ Stress First Aid - A set of skills used to enhance wellness and resilience in high-stress

occupations. These skills help mitigate the negative effects of chronic stress exposure.

■ Walking and Talking - An activity which engages staff and allows CST’s to provide

information. Walking and talking allows CST members to assess general morale and needs

and provide wellness information. Walking and talking in response to a critical incident

allows CST members to assess how staff are responding to the incident as well as to manage

misinformation.

■ Wellness - A multi-dimensional concept of an individual’s baseline of functioning. Wellness

includes an individual’s mental, physical, and financial health as well as their ability to

experience positive emotions, engage in meaningful activities, and enjoy a sense of

accomplishment in their lives. Activities and experiences which contribute to wellness are

individualized, based on each person’s interests, personality, values, and circumstances.

■ Wellness Fair - An event where community providers/resources are invited to provide

information related to wellness/resiliency for staff and their families.

■ Wellness/resilience training and challenges - Activities geared toward physical health (e.g.

a 5K on institution grounds) or emotional health (e.g., a training on stress management or

practical experience of relaxation method such as yoga, etc.), with a focus on improving

P5337.01 4/4/2023 2

wellness and resilience.