Peer Support – Kit Cummings October 2026

Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program is honored to partner with Winchester, Virginia Department of Social Services to host/sponsor an International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) Critical Incident Stress Management Training, also known as peer training. The training includes two ICISF courses – the Basic Group Crisis Intervention course and the Assisting Individuals in Crisis course. These courses serve as the training foundation for many organizations with Law Enforcement/Public Safety Peer Support programs. This is also requisite training for peers involved with VALEAP’s CISM Team and is designed for emergency responders in all disciplines. Mental health clinicians who have prior experience working with veterans and/or law enforcement/public safety are encouraged to attend.

***Students must attend all 3 days in order to receive credit for the course.

The typical ICISF registration fee for this course is $525.00, but we are glad to be able to bring it to you at no cost via grant funding and the Southwest Academy Training Foundation.

Registration is capped at 50 participants, and agencies/entities are initially limited to three (3) applicants each. A waiting list will be maintained for additional applicants, and on September 15th unclaimed seats will be made available.

The CISM peer training will be held at Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy at 1595 Bonham Road, Bristol VA 24201. Class will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

If you are an interested member of law enforcement, public safety, a chaplain or a mental health clinician, contact Kit Cummings at kitcummings.valeap@gmail.com or (540) 230-9838 or SVCJTA staff at (276) 645-3700 for registration information.  Virginia Law Enforcement will register via TRACER.