Course Description

A brief overview of the Des Moines Police Department’s Retirement Transition Program. The overview will discuss the foundation and challenges of forming the program. The course will discuss the initial premise and motivation of the program and how it evolved into a two-pronged approach of first responded retirement knowledge and mental health. Lastly, the program will discuss challenges and opportunities in the future. 

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Biography

Lieutenant Andrew D. Phipps is an assistant watch commander with the Des Moines Police Department in Des Moines, Iowa.  He entered the Des Moines Police Department in July of 2005. After completing the Law Enforcement Basic course he was assigned to afternoon patrol. Lt Phipps has served in multiple capacities within DMPD to include, academy instructor, crime scene unit, policy manager, crimes against property, and the Chief of police executive officer. He has numerous certifications including firearms instructor, field training officer, mentor, and emergency medical services coordinator.

Lt Phipps has an associate in applied science criminal justice degree from the Community College of the Air Force and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand View University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Emergency Management from Arizona State University.

Lt Phipps is a veteran in the armed forces serving four years active duty in the US Army assigned to Bravo Company, 1-75th Ranger Regiment stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. He is a graduate of the US Army Ranger school performing over 30 airborne jumps, 75 live fire exercises, and numerous joint military operations deploying to England, Poland, and Panama. Lt Phipps currently serves as a Master Sergeant with the 132d Security Forces Squadron based at the Iowa Air National Guard Base in Des Moines, Iowa. He has deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to Al Mubarak Air Base, Kuwait and Bright Star Exercise 2018, Cairo, Egypt.  Lt Phipps has sixteen years of combined service between the Air Force and Army.

Course Description

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Biography

Sheila Russell, LISW, CADC, EMDR Certified Mental Health Therapist, is an experienced therapist and speaker who has dedicated her entire practice to working with first responders, military, veterans, and their loved ones.  Sheila has worked in residential treatment for children's mental health, child welfare services, supervision in residential substance abuse for women and their children, as well as an Adjunct Instructor at Grand View University.  Sheila provides individual therapy, couples counseling, departmental trainings, department consultation, Peer Support and CISM/CISD collaboartion.  Sheila is a member of the Peer Support and/or CISM/CISD teams for West Des Moines PD, West Des Moines EMS, Jasper County Sheriff's Office, Newton Fire Department, Des Moines PD's Peer Support Resources Committee, and the First Responders Peer Support Foundation Board. 

Course Description

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) protocols can be enhanced with Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) interventions,  Crisis Response K9 teams can provide comfort and stress relief to those affected by crisis situations.  Presenters and K9 teams will be present to share how Crisis Response K9 partnerships can provide daily peer support and stress relief to other first responders within their badged agency, as well as providing public aid to individuals and groups affected by critical incidents, and community outreach and educational opportunities within their communities. Justin and Rebecca will share how new teams can be implemented, and time will be provided for interaction with the K9 teams and Q&A.

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Biography

Justin and Rebecca Smith founded Crisis Canines of the Midlands in 2022. Justin,  a Paramedic with Critical Care Endorsement, and Rebecca, a veterinarian and co-owner of Midland Prairie Veterinary Services, serve as handlers of K9 "Glory", the second dog in the state of Iowa to be badged as a Crisis Response Therapy K9. After seeing the need for this type of K9 partnership in First Responder agencies, they founded Crisis Canines of the Midlands to facilitate the implementation of more Crisis Response K9 teams to provide peer support, public aid, and community outreach in the aftermath of critical incidents, trauma, intense stress or disaster. 

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Annalee Moody will discuss the Shatterproof program and discuss advancements in brain health treatment for first responders.  Shatterproof FHE Health (formerly Florida House Shatterproof) employs evidence-based therapies, innovative medical care, and a comprehensive wellness program. These focus on symptoms of PTSD, among other mental health conditions, in order to help our first responders successfully manage their condition and/or achieve life-long recovery from drugs and alcohol.

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Shatterproof FHE Health is designed to help first responders overcome specific obstacles and increase their ability to manage emotions during stressful situations without turning to self-medication. Our medical team works to customize a care plan tailored to the underlying issues that contribute to substance use disorders. Patients in the program also meet with therapists whose experience is specialized to meet their treatment needs.

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Our evidence-based, holistic treatment approach addresses every individual’s physical, neurological, mental, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. We also utilize a peer-support group model—to help improve our patients’ outcomes by placing patients together who have similar backgrounds. This allows patients to feel more comfortable, resulting in better outcomes.

Course Description

Why are we so afraid to ask someone if they are struggling?

Most often it is out of a fear that they answer will confirm they are struggling or even more, they are having thoughts of suicide. Some avoid asking because the answer makes them feel like they will now carry the weight of responsibility once they confirm it's true. With this presentation, we address the underlying fear and need to avoid it. You will learn the importance of asking directly, understand when someone is showing through their actions or words that they may be considering suicide and are inviting others to get involved and gain the skills and confidence to accept and explore those invitations, rather than not knowing what to do and avoiding the conversation. We will discuss the myths surround suicide and how to have those tough conversations when confronted with someone who is thinking of suicide or are in crisis.

Through this presentation, you will gain a valuable resource that can make a difference in the lives of or even save the lives of your coworkers, family members, the community you serve or … even your own. 

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Biography

Jane is a Master Certified Mindset and Trauma Coach, Human Behavior Expert, trainer, and speaker. She understands the depths that someone can find themselves because she not only has the education and professional experience, but more so, her own personal experience. Jane Nady has overcome the depths of darkness and the trauma that led her there to now, owning her own business where she coaches, speaks, trains, and educates others across the world.

Jane holds a Masters in Education and is certified in many mental health therapies and coaching techniques to include: REBT, CBT, Master Mindset/Trauma/ADHD Coaching, and many additional niche specific certificates. She is the former Suicide & Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator for the Iowa National Guard where she trained and supported Soldiers across Iowa in Suicide Intervention and Substance Abuse Prevention. Jane is a Certified trainer of ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills) and MHFA (Mental Health First Aid), a former first responder and is CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) trained. She has been a key speaker for NAMI’s Ending the Silence Program, featured in a documentary film on Residual Trauma and its Effect on First Responders, is currently a member of the AFSP where she serves as a facilitator of the Suicide Survivor Loss Groups. She is well respected in her field and dedicated to ending the stigma and reminding others that you are not alone and the only way to break out of the darkness is by talking about it. 

Josh Vander Zwaag served as a police officer with the Ames police department from 2009 - 2021. During those years he primarily worked the patrol shift from 3 PM - 11 PM. During his career Josh received a Life Saving award (2018), Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Award (2017), and a Meritorious Service Award (2016). 

A year and a half into his career, Josh was involved in an OIS and throughout his career was involved in many other incidents that not only challenged him as an individual and shaped his life, but also changed his perspective on mental health. After realizing a need for additional mental health providers and witnessing failures and inconsistencies within the mental health system, Josh decided he wanted to do something that would help make a difference in his community. Despite working a high demanding job, having a family, and being involved in his children’s extra-curricular activities, he enrolled in graduate school. 

Josh received his Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work in 2021 and now works for Compass Tree Counseling in Ames, IA. Josh enjoys not only working with teens, college students, and adults, but his true passion is working with first responders, veterans, and their families. Josh is a Certified First Responder Associate, has been trained in Individual and Group Crisis Intervention, and is trained in EMDR. While providing a safe and comfortable environment, Josh is able to understand and relate to first responders in a different way than most therapists. Josh’s goal is to help end the negative stigma amongst first responders/veterans and normalize taking care of your mental health. 

“Therapy is about having help, before actually needing help.” -First Responder client.

Biography

Jeremy is a police sergeant for the Des Moines Iowa Police Department.  He has served as a patrol officer, detective, hostage/crisis negotiator, communications supervisor, and a sergeant leading patrol officers, traffic crash fatality investigations, and sex abuse detectives.   He also retired after 20 years in the fire service as a part-time fire lieutenant supervising an engine company, medic-squad, and directing the fire training academy.  

Jeremy designed, created, and managed the first-in-the-state public safety Peer Support Program which is used as a model for other agencies around the country.  He specializes in providing training and critical incident response around the state.  In 2015 he drafted a peer support privilege communication bill that was signed into law.   In 2016, Jeremy managed a comprehensive strategic plan for the loss of three Des Moines Police Officers in 2016 including crisis management, logistics, and department wellness.

Jeremy expanded his innovative peer support model and created the Peer Support Foundation which trains first responders throughout the Midwest. He currently serves as the executive director and president of the foundation.

Jeremy has presented nationally to numerous organizations and conferences about peer support, employee wellness, PTSD, suicide awareness, and other topics.  Some of these presentations include at the National Fraternal Order of Police Wellness Summit, National COPS Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Law Enforcement League, Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police, Iowa Teamsters Law Enforcement, Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association, Impact Iowa, Iowa Association of Women Police, Iowa Corrections Association, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Des Moines Area Community College, and numerous public safety agencies throughout the midwest.  

Jeremy holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management Administration.  He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.   Jeremy is a certified FBI Law Enforcement Instructor and serves as an adjunct instructor in Criminal Justice at the Des Moines Area Community College.  He is also an instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and holds a certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.