2026 First Responder Wellness Conference

This session explores how the patterns and dynamics within our families shape the way responders handle stress and stay grounded. Using the eight concepts of Bowen Theory, we will look at why certain reactions and roles show up in responder households and how those patterns influence well-being both at home and at work. The focus is on helping responders understand their own family system so they can strengthen resilience, communication, and connection. Participants will walk away with practical tools to support healthier dynamics at home and steadier functioning on the job. 

This interactive workshop builds on the presentation “Beyond the Uniform With the LT’s Daughter” by guiding participants through Katherine Boyle’s BTU Framework: Community, Intentionality, and Personal Values. Designed for first responders, this session creates space for conversation and practical application. Participants will examine who they surround themselves with, how they show up in their daily lives, and what they truly stand for at their core. Through focused discussion and practical exercises, they will learn how to take control of their time and energy, rather than allowing the job to dictate it. This workshop equips attendees with simple, actionable strategies to strengthen their foundation, take better care of themselves, and show up as their best selves on the job and at home.

In this session, the facilitator and participants will discuss the recent evolution of Public Safety Peer Support. Various types of organized peer support have been practiced for nearly 50 years, and while there has been steady systems growth and updated protocol, many practices have not kept pace, and change is in order. Session topics will include a review of peer support models in use in Virginia; choosing a protocol that suits your agency and community; shifting from centralized to dispersed peers and teams; the emergence of digital interactive care platforms; Peer Support; and integration of Human Resources active personnel tracking. Bring your curiosity and an open mind—we look forward to a lively conversation!

Your shift will never be the same. Mine wasn’t either. First responders are equipped to respond to crisis after crisis, but are we equipped to handle the ongoing and cumulative effects of trauma, grief, loss, and survivor’s guilt? These jobs and our desire to serve others often cause us to carry an invisible weight. We try to do this on our own because we believe it’s expected of us. We aren’t taught how to manage the emotional impact of our work, which leads to poor decision-making, broken relationships, physical ailments, and an overall decrease in wellness.
This powerful session covers professional and lived experience related to the unseen trauma survivors experience, as well as the hidden impact traumatic events have on those who serve. Through personal experiences and professional practice as a military veteran, homicide and suicide loss survivor, nationally credentialed victim advocate, and trauma professional; Scharnelle Hamlin will guide attendees through a realistic but compassionate discussion around cumulative trauma, resilience, healing, and seeking help without shame.
Learn about survivor’s guilt, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and how to leverage cultural humility and trauma-informed practices to help others without compromising your own wellness. Remember that healing isn’t weakness; it’s one of the strongest things you’ll ever do. 

If you suffer from back pain, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It is estimated that more than 16 million adults experience chronic back pain. Most back problems are not the result of a single injury but rather result from months or years of poor posture, improper body mechanics, tight or weak muscles, and a lack of overall fitness. CommonHealth’s Back on Track campaign will provide you with some simple steps to help you care for your back to prevent injury and pain.

This session explores how the patterns and dynamics within our families shape the way responders handle stress and stay grounded. Using the eight concepts of Bowen Theory, we will look at why certain reactions and roles show up in responder households and how those patterns influence well-being both at home and at work. The focus is on helping responders understand their own family system so they can strengthen resilience, communication, and connection. Participants will walk away with practical tools to support healthier dynamics at home and steadier functioning on the job.

Join us for an in-depth session tailored to law enforcement officers, covering key financial strategies for retirement, wealth management, and more. Attendees will gain essential financial knowledge to help them manage their money with confidence. They will learn practical steps to prepare for a secure retirement, along with clear strategies for navigating taxes, income planning, and building long‑term wealth. Throughout the session, participants will benefit from guidance shared by an experienced professional, who will offer insights to support informed decision‑making and lasting financial well‑being.

Life is busy. We’re constantly going from one thing to the next, especially as first responders. Do you wish you had more time to enjoy the things that matter most to you? If so, you are not alone. In this workshop, we will explore the concept of “hurry sickness” and how it affects our health, work performance, relationships, and spirituality. You will walk away with practical tips and strategies to help you find balance and joy in a hectic world.

This training will provide a better understanding of the effects of historical and acute trauma on those who provide services and care for the victims and survivors of a traumatic incident. We will discuss self-assessing for stress reactions and identifying warning signs that someone on your team may be struggling. We will also explore elements of stress first aid and the short- and long-term effects of primary and secondary trauma, as well as effective interventions that have proven successful for the first responder community.

First responders regularly face high-stress situations that can take a toll on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. “Sound for Healing: Sound Bath Meditation for First Responders” offers a powerful, restorative experience using sound frequencies to promote deep relaxation, stress relief, and mental clarity.
This session introduces the practice of sound bath meditation, where participants will immerse themselves in the soothing vibrations of singing bowls, chimes, and other healing instruments. The session is designed to help first responders reduce stress, improve sleep quality, lower anxiety, and enhance overall resilience. Guided by an experienced practitioner, attendees will explore how sound therapy can support emotional regulation, nervous system recovery, and mindfulness, providing a much-needed reset from the demands of their profession. No prior meditation experience is required—just a willingness to relax and receive the healing power of sound. By the end of this session, first responders will leave feeling rejuvenated, centered, and equipped with a new tool for ongoing stress management and well-being.

Women have been climbing career ladders, breaking glass ceilings, and handling career hurdles in law enforcement for decades, all while navigating a minefield that many of their teammates can’t see. This session tells one woman’s story, from believing sexism wasn’t real to discovering in a single workday that she was simultaneously “too sexy,” “not sexy enough, “autistic,” “inspiring,” and that she needed to “dial back on the testosterone from her CrossFit.” It addresses the emotional exhaustion of fighting systems, the Madonna-Whore minefield of undercover work, and the bureaucracy-induced fatigue that slowly chips away at women’s desire to keep doing the job. The talk will also cover what (and who) actually helps the most—and, spoiler alert, it’s not who you think. Men are both welcome and needed in this session.

As first responders, we spend countless hours training and honing our skills and knowledge in preparation for the next call, the next patient, the next scene. The question becomes, “Why do we spend hundreds of hours preparing for the call, but little time preparing for what we carry home afterward?” This session treats responder health like any other critical piece of equipment: requiring regular maintenance, practical care, and tactical preparation. Join us to learn how to bridge the gap between caring for your community and caring for yourself.

Traditional crisis training often misses the human reality of the crisis. This session explores the psychological impact of embedding a clinical therapist directly into law enforcement operations. Designed for first responders, we examine how a trusted co-responder partnership mitigates cumulative moral injury, shares high-stakes decision-making burdens, and relieves hypervigilance—protecting officer well-being and restoring professional stamina.
Together, Kristen and Rhodie present “Beyond the Call: The Psychological Shield of the Clinical-Tactical Partnership.” Their session blends clinical insight with lived experience, offering practical strategies, honest dialogue, and a shared belief that first responders deserve support that is culturally competent, accessible, and grounded in real‑world challenges.

Creating a supportive culture is essential for the well‑being, resilience, and retention of staff working in corrections, jails, and law enforcement. This session explores how agencies can intentionally build a culture grounded in kindness and holistic wellness using the 8 Dimensions of Wellness: emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and financial. Participants will learn how these dimensions form a foundation for sustainable wellness and how responsibility for well‑being is shared across three levels—organizational systems, leadership behaviors, and individual practices.
Through practical examples and real‑world strategies, attendees will walk away with actionable steps to foster kindness, reduce burnout, and integrate wellness seamlessly into daily operations. This presentation is designed to support agencies as they work toward creating safer, healthier, and more compassionate work environments for all staff.

Law enforcement officers face pressures that affect every area of life. This session explores spiritual wellness as a foundational pillar for navigating stress, trauma, anger, grief, relationships, and the weight of the badge. Officers will gain practical tools for strengthening their spiritual foundation, finding renewed purpose, and developing resilience for both duty and life.

This session will introduce participants to the core concepts of how gambling can develop into a serious problem, with a focus on understanding who may be at greater risk. Attendees will learn to recognize the key signs and symptoms that often signal when gambling behavior is becoming harmful. The session will also highlight the range of resources and support services available throughout Virginia, giving participants clear pathways to help themselves or others who may be struggling.