outline_20762
POST Perishable Skills Program (PSP)
Crisis Intervention Behavioral Health Training SB11
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 4801
CCN: 20762| Post certification II | Reimbursement Plan II| 4 hours
Revised 7/14/21
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This course will provide the student with the minimum topics mandated in section 13515.27(a) of the
California Penal Code and meets the Perishable Skills Program for Strategic Communication.
MINIMUM TOPICS
Behavioral Health
A. Issues related to stigma
B. Cultural relevance
C. Cause and nature of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders
D. Indicators of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders
E. Appropriate responses for a variety of situations involving persons with mental illness,
intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders
F. Conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for potentially dangerous situations
G. Appropriate language usage when interacting with potentially emotionally distressed persons.
H. Resources available to serve persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance
use disorders
I. Perspective of individuals or families who have experience with persons who have mental
illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders
Strategic Communication (PSP) Minimum Course Content
a.Officer Safety
b.Escalation Versus De-escalation
c.Communication Elements
d.Listening Skills
e.Questioning Techniques
f.Persuasion
g. People with Disabilities
h.Team Communication During a Critical Incident
i.Class Exercises/ Student Evaluation/ Testing
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student will:
Behavioral Health
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the role stigma has in society and across cultures in regards to
mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders
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POST Perishable Skills Program (PSP)
Crisis Intervention Behavioral Health Training SB11
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 4801
CCN: 20762| Post certification II | Reimbursement Plan II| 4 hours
Revised 7/14/21
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the cause and nature of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and
substance use disorders
3. Demonstrate the ability to identify indicators of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and
substance use disorders
4. Acquire a list of resources available to serve individuals with mental illness, intellectual
disability, and substance use disorders
5. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate language usage when interacting with potentially
emotionally distressed persons
6. Demonstrate the ability to utilize de-escalation and conflict resolution to resolve a variety of
situations involving individuals in crisis
Strategic Communication
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic components of communication skills and techniques
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of listening and persuasion skills as they relate to
effective strategic communication
3. Demonstrate skills needed communicate effectively
4. Demonstrate a minimum standard of strategic communication skills with every technique and
exercise, to include:
a. Officer Safety
b. Listening/ Persuasion
c. Judgement and Decision-Making
d. De-escalation, verbal commands
e. Effectiveness under stress conditions
EXPANDED COURSE OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION/ORIENTATION
A. Registration and orientation
B. Course Objectives
C. Overview
D. Safety
E. Testing
II. STIGMA (A/B) IV-Strategic (d)
A. Provide context for stigma and the role it plays in mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and
substance use disorders;
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POST Perishable Skills Program (PSP)
Crisis Intervention Behavioral Health Training SB11
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 4801
CCN: 20762| Post certification II | Reimbursement Plan II| 4 hours
Revised 7/14/21
1. The meaning of stigma – a mark of disgrace or shame associated with a particular
circumstance, quality, or person
2. The consequences of stigmatization – social isolation, fear, violence, mistrust,
prejudice and discrimination, barriers to communication
3. People are not at fault for these disorders. Experienced on a continuum from low
severity to high severity. Not always in crisis.
B. Compare and contrast the way different cultures treat mental illness, intellectual disabilities,
and substance use disorders in the areas of;
1. Stigmatization
2. The social impact on families and individuals
3. Barriers to seeking help and participating in treatment
Learning Activity about stigma
III. MENTAL ILLNESS/INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES/SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS – CAUSE / NATURE /
INDICATORS (C/D) IV-Strategic (g)
Note: Information utilized for this learning objective will be derived from the Diagnostic and Statistics
Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th Edition (DSM-V).
A. Mental Illness
1. Describe the cause and nature
2. Identify Indicators
3. Discuss and develop appropriate language and rapport building strategies
B. Intellectual Disabilities
1. Describe the cause and nature
2. Identify indicators
3. Discuss and develop appropriate language and rapport building strategies
C. Substance Use Disorders
1. Identify indicators
2. Discuss and develop appropriate language and rapport building strategies
Learning Activity providing the prospective of individuals or families who have experience with persons
who have mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders.
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POST Perishable Skills Program (PSP)
Crisis Intervention Behavioral Health Training SB11
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 4801
CCN: 20762| Post certification II | Reimbursement Plan II| 4 hours
Revised 7/14/21
IV. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION; OFFICER SAFETY, DE-ESCALATION, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
(E/F/G) IV Strategic (a/b/c/d/e/f/h)
A. Strategic Response – Officer Safety/Public Safety/Safety of Person in Crisis
1. Assess individual’s mental, physical, and emotional state
2. Stabilize and secure the scene
3. Minimize factors that create exigency or unnecessary excitation
4. Gather intelligence and information (sources)
5. Establish a plan (teamwork)
6. Gather resources
7. Be prepared for potential violence
B. Escalation versus De-escalation and Conflict Resolution
1. Definitions
a. Escalation- to increase extent, volume, number, amount, intensity or
scope
b. De-escalation- to decrease in extent, volume, or scope
2. Reducing potential escalation by building rapport and communication
a. Approach and introduction
b. Physical elements
c. Language
d. Active listening
e. Managing dialogue
f. Empathy/Respect
g. Team communication
3. Questioning techniques
a. Learning and fact finding (open/probing questions)
b. Managing/coaching (leading/rhetorical questions)
c. Relationship building (ask for opinion/feedback)
d. De-fusing (questions to determine something you can give them a
choice or control over)
e. Complex vs. simple questions
4. Persuasive skills to elicit cooperation
a. Persuasion is not manipulation
b. Person must be responsive to persuasion
c. Reciprocity is compelling
d. Be persistent
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POST Perishable Skills Program (PSP)
Crisis Intervention Behavioral Health Training SB11
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 4801
CCN: 20762| Post certification II | Reimbursement Plan II| 4 hours
Revised 7/14/21
e. Compliment/Encourage (truthfully)
f. Clarify your expectations
g. Describe a positive future
h. Tell the truth
i. Build rapport
j. Stay calm and confident
5. De-escalation and re-escalation; utilizing time and patience
Learning Activities- scenarios where persuasive skills are practiced
V. RESOURCES (H)
Prior to course, instructor is required to develop a list of local resources and contacts for individuals and
families with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders to provide to students.
Additional resources may be added at student’s suggestion.
A. Community Resources
1. Hospitals
2. Clinics and treatment facilities
3. Service organizations
4. Support programs
5. Living facilities
B. Community partnerships and problem solving
1. Build networks and collaborations
2. Identify resources and service capability
3. Involve agencies/organizations in problem solving efforts
4. Develop contacts with local advocates
C. Other Resources
1. Advocacy organizations
2. Hotlines
3. Informational Websites
4. Government agencies
Optional: Video
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POST Perishable Skills Program (PSP)
Crisis Intervention Behavioral Health Training SB11
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety 4801
CCN: 20762| Post certification II | Reimbursement Plan II| 4 hours
Revised 7/14/21
Play Scenario 6 Resources from the CA Commission on POST Mental Health Update video
VI. REVIEW AND EVALUATIONS Strategic (i)
1. Review of material covered
2. Scenarios
3. Written test
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