THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE WILL USE LEMHWA GRANT FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE CCSO PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM. THE AGENCY WILL FOCUS ON EXPANDING PROGRAM MEMBERSHIP, PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED ANNUAL REVIEW AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAININGS, FACILITATING GROUP INTERVENTIONS, PROVIDING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CHECK-INS TO INCLUDE RESOURCES FOR IMPROVING RESILIENCE, AND ATTENDING MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND ADVANCED TRAININGS. CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO STRESS AND TRAUMA WITHOUT A PROPER MEANS TO ADDRESS IT HAS DETRIMENTAL IMPLICATIONS. WITHOUT VALUABLE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES IN PLACE FOR OFFICERS TO PROPERLY ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES, MANY RELY ON UNHEALTHY COPING MECHANISMS WHICH CAUSES FURTHER HARM, LEAVING THEM INCAPABLE OF PERFORMING WELL ON THE JOB. THE IMPACT OF THIS UNDENIABLE AND UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE CAN HINDER THEIR ABILITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND ITS MEMBERS IN WAYS THAT GARNER GOOD RAPPORT, TRUST, AND STABILITY. PEER SUPPORT HAS A UNIQUE AND CRITICAL ROLE IN EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. REALIZING THE INFLUENCE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES HAS ON THE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE NEED TO ACTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CCSO, A PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM ALONG WITH A PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING COMPONENT WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO SERVICES AND RESOURCES BY WAY OF TRAINED PEERS WITH EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OR FAMILIARITY WITH THE CHALLENGES THEY ENDURE BY ATTEMPTING TO BALANCE THE DEMANDS OF THE PROFESSION AND PERSONAL LIFE.