Peer support specialists graduate

First incarcerated individual peer support program in the nation begins right here at CCWF

On July 24, 2024, Central California Women’s Facility honored the inaugural cohort of Peer Support Specialist (PSS) graduates with a celebration in the B-side visiting room.

Launched in late 2023, the PSS program trains incarcerated participants to provide a wide range of support to new arrivals in the Reception Center, to general population residents, to residents of the Skilled Nursing Facility, and to the CCWF staff in general. The rigorous training required 82 hours of education. In their new role, PSS graduates will facilitate groups and provide information on many subjects, including reentry and health-related issues.

The B-side visiting room was decorated in shades of purple, with a balloon arch and centerpieces of handmade lilac flowers on each table. At the beginning of the festivities, music played as Melissa Untalon-Espino, CCWF’s Protestant Chaplain, took photos of graduates and their guests.

Warden Anissa De La Cruz was the first speaker. She expressed pride that CCWF is the first institution in the state to implement a PSS program, thereby fulfilling a promise of the California Model (CM). De La Cruz stated that the PSS graduates are “role models, which is a big responsibility. But I have no doubt you will all do your jobs well.” She also commended the family and friends in attendance, noting that individuals at CCWF can do what they do because they are supported by loved ones.

Edmond Montgomery, assistant deputy director of California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS), thanked the team who put the PSS program together, devoting countless hours to creating and overseeing the curriculum. Montgomery stressed that the curriculum CCHCS staff produced is “applicable with community standards,” which will ensure transferable skills once graduates are released. Montgomery then introduced PSS graduate Mesha Dean, who performed an inspiring praise dance for the assembled guests. When Dean concluded his dance, the entire room erupted in applause.

Public Information Officer Lt. Monique Williams gave a presentation on the CM, explaining its objectives and goals. Williams stressed that the CM draws inspiration from states and countries that have implemented similar programs. The CM focuses on dynamic security, normalization, peer support and ensuring CDCR becomes a trauma-informed organization. In order to achieve these ideals, CCWF has implemented staff training and normalization through beautification as well as events, graduations and other programs.

Several graduates spoke about their journeys through the program. They offer a great deal of thanks for Olivia Frantz, Health Program specialist II. Mary Kruppe said the PSS “job helps to build community one interaction at a time.” Alissa Kamholz observed that the PSS training allows “the R in CDCR” to be implemented. Elizabeth Lozano stated, “this is our living amends.” Cleo Martinez-Costa thanked the staff for relying on the PSS graduates and said, “I won’t disappoint you.” Kandice Ortega noted that the incarcerated population had been doing peer support work and “now we have a title.” With tears in her eyes, she expressed her gratitude that her parents can celebrate her milestones and not her setbacks. Williams then summed up Ortega’s sentiment, stating, “The population is out there healing each other—let’s get ‘em paid for it.”

The PSS graduates were surprised by a visit from Joyce Dale, a representative for California Sen. Anna M. Caballero. Dale created certificates that recognized the graduates by the California Senate, signed by Senator Caballero, and called each graduate by name to receive one.

Janna Tassop, a mental health representative from CCWF, thanked the graduates and staff, noting how much positive feedback had been received about the program.

“You are making a profound difference,” Tassop said.

As a gesture of thanks, she presented each graduate with a pink, peach and white “freedom spirit” rose. As each graduate received their flower, they took a moment to smell it, their joyful expressions showing how fragrant it was.

Lt. Nicholas Hammet presented the graduates with their completion certificates. He said that assisting with the training program and supervising the PSS was “one of the most enjoyable experiences of his career.”

Statewide Chief Nurse Executive Affi Tamuno-Koko addressed the graduates, stating that CDCR is the only department of corrections in the nation that is doing peer support for the incarcerated population, and CCWF is the first facility to implement it, which was greeted with tremendous applause and cheers from the audience. Tamuno-Koko shared that “not only have we met community standards with the PSS curriculum, we exceeded them…. today we’re making history that will transcend these walls.” CCWF’s Healthcare CEO Roy De La Cerda came to show his appreciation to staff and peer support specialists for laying the foundation for the rest of California.

Graduate Brenda Barrera’s mother, Patricia Godinez, and aunt, Brenda Magallon, expressed their extreme pride at Barrera’s accomplishments. Magallon remarked that her niece is “teaching our family to look at life differently,” while Godinez couldn’t stop beaming at her daughter.

There was so much support for the graduates that there was only standing room for many administrators – staff from healthcare and housing units, facility captains and associate wardens, all lined the back wall of visiting in order to take part in the festivities.