Angel Martin Steps Up to Assist
New position boosts the role of CISM at CCA
Traveling at a moment’s notice to help CCA employees in times of crisis - and teaching them how to deal with trauma before it even hits.
These are all duties that Angel Martin, MSW, GSW, who was recently named CCA’s first senior manager, Critical Incident Stress Management, will continue to coordinate along with other initiatives.
“CCA has recognized the value that the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team brings to our employees,” says Jimmy Turner, CCA vice president, Operations (Business Unit II), who founded CCA’s CISM team in 2000. “The initial assignment given to Angel was a dual duty – she served as assistant warden and also had her CISM responsibilities.”
But Martin will now serve as CCA’s full-time CISM team leader, based at Winn Correctional Center. “I am so excited and proud that our company is taking another step toward putting our employees and their needs first by recognizing there are times everyone needs help or assistance.”
Trained as an instructor through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Martin joined CISM in 2002. Her new role will enable her to provide a greater level assistance to employees who need it most – and at a critical time.
“In 2009, the CISM team was deployed more than ever,” says Brian Collins, CCA executive vice president, Human Resources. “With the state of the economy, we feel that stress and pressure bring on unusual behaviors and to help ourselves through these tough times, there’s a need to elevate the team’s role.”
Martin’s expertise will enable her to decide when to deploy and how to enhance team training.
“With Angel’s new job one of the tasks she’ll have is the expansion and further development of the team itself,” says Mark Floyd, CCA managing director, Employee Relations.
“Angel works to educate our employees and then offer them something real and informative about the EAP program CCA provides,” Turner adds. “She will be helping to develop programs and take us to the next level. In her new role, her ability to do follow-up will be elevated.”
Martin’s role will serve the added purpose of reinforcing CISM’s vital role.
“I think Angel’s new role will help the entire company understand how important the CISM team is,” says Collins. “They add so much more value than we as employees realize and this is just one way to try and get everyone in the company to understand that there is help when a critical situation occurs.”
Employees will continue to benefit from the assistance of the entire CISM team.
“They’re very passionate about what we’re doing as a team,” Martin says. “They’re very committed and loyal to the larger cause. All I have to do is pick up the phone and say, ‘I need you,’ and they’re there. They never complain.”
There’s no shortage of gratitude for the team’s commitment. “The phone calls, texts and cards after you get home are the most rewarding part of it,” Martin says.
“In 2010 we’ll be putting out a call for more people who are interested in serving through CISM,” says Floyd. “We have two peers now so we’d like to get at least two more. We will probably expand the mental health level, too.”
Members of CCA’s CISM team:
Richard Acuña – shift supervisor, Saguaro Correctional Center
Stephen Gold – mental health specialist, North Fork Correctional Facility
Gary Matthews – transportation specialist, TransCor
Dan Plagge – mental health specialist, Crowley Country Correctional Facility
Dwayne Sigmond – assistant shift supervisor, Central Arizona Detention Center
Gary Underwood – transportation specialist, TransCor
By DeAndra Mack
Sound Out
Karen Bartlett at Shelby Co Sheriff's Office:
The agency in which I am employed- the Shelby Co Sheriff's Ofc- is looking for CISM programs in other agencies. We would be greatly interested in learning more about your program and/or any other information you would like to provide. Email will be fine, or feel free to contact me at 901-545-2638. Thank you, Karen Bartlett