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Well-Being

Sustaining and Supporting Well-Being in Public Defense


Description
COURSE OVERVIEW:

This course is intended for anyone working in indigent defense (in any job category), who would like to increase their tools and strategies to sustain their own well-being and support the well-being of other defenders. Working in public defense has very real impacts on our well-being. Though we must maintain our physical and mental health in order to provide high quality and client-centered representation to the people we represent, we face constant obstacles of working within under-resourced agencies, being exposed to trauma, and handling casework demands that challenge our boundaries and rest. This course is intended to support development of individualized strategies to sustain well-being while working in public defense, community care strategies to create public defense culture supportive of well-being, and strategies to build supportive culture, and advocate for systemic change to support indigent defense and increase access to justice.

CALIFORNIA MCLE CREDIT:
Self study credit is available for the online course materials as explained within the course. Participatory MCLE credit is available for zoom sessions of instructor led course.

This course supports these learning objectives for people working in indigent defense:
• Recognize challenges and obstacles to supporting and sustaining well-being in public defense.
• Acquire enhanced self-awareness through individualized self-assessment.
• Design and complete a goal toward sustaining their own well-being.
• Utilize strategies to sustain well-being, pairing appropriate strategies with the challenge or obstacle.
• Understand that well-being is foundational to competence and access to justice.
• Review studies of the impacts of public defense work on well-being.
• Become conversant in terminology of trauma and resilience (trauma, secondary trauma, compassion
fatigue, burnout, moral injury).
• Acquire skills to build a culture of well-being and community care.
• Increase ability to advocate for systemic change to support wellbeing.
• Participate in and model normalizing open discussion of vulnerability.
• Develop leadership and communication skills to build culture supportive of well-being.
• Improve recruitment and retention by building agencies that people want to join and stay in.
• Implement training and leadership initiatives to support well-being.
• Design effective structured mentorship programs.
• Develop media and budget advocacy skills to communicate that well being in foundational to competence and access justice.

THIS COURSE IS OFFERED IN TWO FORMATS:
(1) Asynchronous: You can review this on demand course at your own pace, starting any time.
(2) Instructor led: Once or twice a year, the course is offered as a ten-week class with a weekly zoom meeting facilitated by faculty from around the country. The next instructor led session will be announced in 2025.

Email questions to Jenny.Andrews@ospd.ca.gov.

Content
  • Orientation
  • 1.1 Welcome to this OSPD IDID online system and course. (1 min video)
  • 1.2 Welcome to this Course on Sustaining and Supporting Well-Being (2 min video)
  • 1.3 Take care of yourself and take any accommodation that you need (1 min read)
  • 1.4 Overview of Course Format (3:30 min video)
  • 1.5 About this course: Overview of Weekly Topics (1 min read)
  • 1.6 About the course: Locate the readings from BeSustained.org (2 min)
  • 1.7 About the course: Small Group Meetings (includes zoom link)(1 min read)
  • 1.8 About the course: Course faculty (1 min read)
  • 1.9 About this course: Experiential learning component (1 min read)
  • 1.10 MUST READ: How to Get Self-Study MCLE Credit For This Course
  • 1.11 MCLE credit for zoom sessions for CA Attorneys
  • Section 1: Well-being is the foundation of competence and excellence
  • 1.11 I QUIT! (aka Why is Sustaining Well-Being a Priority for Me?) (8 min video)
  • 1.12 Join the Discussion: Why is your well-being a priority for you now? (5 min)
  • 1.13 Group agreements
  • 1.14 Overview of Topics for Section 1 (1 min read)
  • 1.15 Section 1: Reading Assignment (15 min reading)
  • 1.16 Well Being as Competence and Access to Justice (5 min video)
  • 1.17 Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset (2 min video)
  • 1.18 Invitation to Try New Things (1 min video)
  • 1.19 Why Mindfulness is a Superpower, by Dan Harris (3 min video)
  • Optional Experiential Practice: Mindfulness (1 min read)
  • 1.20 CONCLUSION: Section one (2-5 min)
  • TEST 1 Well-Being as Competence
  • Section 1 Feedback
  • Section 2: SELF-AWARENESS AS AN ACTIVATOR OF WELL-BEING (SPHERE ONE)
  • 2.1 Overview of Topics for Section 2 (2 min read)
  • 2.2 Section 2: Reading Assignment: Impacts and Stress. (10 min reading)
  • 2.3 Is Working in Public Defense Good for You? (5 min video)
  • 2.4 3 spheres of Well Being (12 min video)
  • 2.5 The Relentless Mental Toll of Public Defense (5 min read)
  • 2.6 Stress Response and Relaxation Response (2 min read)
  • 2.7 Understanding the stress response (4 min read)
  • OPTIONAL Additional Materials and Practices on Navigating Stress
  • TEST 2 Occupational Stress
  • 2.8 Reading Assignment: Assessment and Goals (10 min reading)
  • 2.9 Self-awareness, Assessment and Goals (2:30 min video)
  • 2.10 Complete a Well Being Self-Assessment (5 min activity)
  • 2.11 Setting SMART Goals to Sustain Well Being (6 min video)
  • 2.12 How to Set SMART Goals (4 min. video)
  • 2.13 Complete Worksheet: Set a SMART Goal (8 min activity)
  • 2.14 Goals and accountability (44 sec video)
  • 2.15 Discussion: Share Your SMART Goal (2 min)
  • 2.16 CONCLUSION: Section 2 (2 min read)
  • Test 3 Self Awareness
  • Section 2 Feedback
  • Section 3: IDENTITY, MOTIVATION AND BOUNDARIES (sphere one)
  • 3.1 Overview of Topics for Section 3
  • 3.2 Section 3: Reading Assignment (10 min reading)
  • 3.3 Identity in Public Defense (10 min read)
  • 3.4 NAPD: First Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask, by Mary Moriarty (3 min)
  • 3.5 Understanding burnout and need for rest (6 min video)
  • 3.6 Boundary Self-Assessment (5 min activity)
  • Test 4 Identity and Boundaries
  • OPTIONAL tip: Boundary: Create a Transition Marker (4 min video)
  • 3.7 Readings on Efficiencies for Boundaries and Rest (8 min)
  • 3.8 The Daily Routine Experts Recommend for Peak Productivity (3 min read)
  • 3.9 Recreation and Positive Activities (2 min read)
  • 3.10 Have a Third Thing, by Jeff Sherr (3 min video)
  • 3.11 Update after 1 week: How's Your SMART Goal Going? (5 min)
  • 3.12 The Research on the Value of Gratitude (5 min video)
  • 3.13 The Value of Gratitude and Appreciation (5 min)
  • 3.14 Activity (5 min)
  • 3.15 CONCLUSION: Section 3 (5 min)
  • Test 5 Efficiencies and Resilience
  • Section 3 Feedback
  • Section 4: NAVIGATING TRAUMA and Substance USe (Spheres one and two)
  • 4.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 4 (10 min read)
  • 4.2 John Lopez on Trauma Informed Practice (12 min video)
  • 4.3 Recognizing Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma (7 min video)
  • 4.4 What is Trauma Informed Public Defense? (5 min read)
  • 4.5 Crisis Public Defense (5 min skim)
  • 4.6 Trauma and Oppressive Systems (5 min read)
  • OPTIONAL Additional Materials on Trauma Exposure and Response
  • OPTIONAL: Take the ACE and Resilience Quizzes (15 min activity)
  • Test 6: Navigating Trauma
  • 4.7 Benefits of Movement (5 min read)
  • 4.8 The Power of Movement (2 min read + optional movement)
  • 4.9 Readings on Substance Use in the Legal Profession (10 min)
  • 4.10 Let's Talk Substance Abuse (5:30 min video)
  • 4.11 Update after 2 weeks: How's Your SMART Goal Going? (5 min)
  • 4.12 CONCLUSION: Section 4 (2 min read) sample
  • Test 7: Substance Use
  • Section 4 Feedback
  • Section 5: BUILDING COMMUNITY CARE AND REDUCING MORAL INJURY (Sphere two)
  • 5.1 Overview of Topics for Section 5 (10 min read)
  • 5.2 Repeat Well Being Self-Assessment (5-10 min activity)
  • 5.3 Update after 3 weeks: Reassess Your SMART Goal (5 min)
  • 5.4 Dr Z: It’s Not Burnout, It’s Moral Injury (6 min video)
  • 5.5 Talbot and Dean Article on Moral Injury (10 min read)
  • Test 8: Moral Injury
  • OPTIONAL: Moral Matters Those Who Love the Fight Sherr Andrews (48 min podcast)
  • 5.6 Readings on Community Care and Supportive Spaces (10 min)
  • 5.7 SWB John Lopez Creating Community Care 2023.03.13 (8 min video)
  • 5.8 Addressing Loss and Resilience (5 min activity + optional videos)
  • 5.9 How to Navigate Difficult Conversations, Oren Jay Sofer (5 min read)
  • 5.10 Draft a Community Care Plan (10 min activity)
  • OPTIONAL: Join Be Well Wednesday! (1 min read)
  • OPTIONAL: Guided Meditations
  • 5.11 CONCLUSION: Section 5 (5 min read and reflect)
  • Test 9 Community Care
  • Section 5 Feedback
  • Section 6: organizational ASSESSMENT, INITIATIVES, and inclusion (sphere two)
  • 6.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 6 (10 min)
  • 6.2 Surveys and Assessments (10 min. read)
  • 6.3 Organizational Assessments (10 min read + activity)
  • 6.4 Formulating a SMARTIE goal (5 min)
  • 6.5 What is your SMARTIE Goal for your organization? (5 min)
  • Test 10 Organizational Assessment and Initiatives
  • OPTIONAL SWB Marilena David on Organizational Assessment 2023.03.20 (13 min)
  • OPTIONAL NAPD Principles: Marilena David and Justin Heim (5-51 min)
  • OPTIONAL Starting Well Being Committees and Initiatives (5-42 min)
  • 6.6 Dismantling Oppressive Systems (8 min)
  • 6.7 Antiracist and Multicultural Organizational Culture (10 min)
  • 6.8 Kay Ulanday Barrett #RaceAnd (4 min)
  • 6.9 Activity: Social Identity (10 min)
  • 6.10 Defender Bias Harms Clients (10 min)
  • OPTIONAL VIDEOS on Racial Justice and DEIB
  • 6.12 CONCLUSION: Section 6
  • Test 11: Organizational Inclusion
  • Section 6 Feedback
  • Section 7: SUPPORTIVE LEADERSHIP, TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP (Sphere two)
  • 7.1 Overview of Topics for Section 7 (15 min)
  • 7.2 Creating a Culture of Support, Boundaries and Rest (8 min read)
  • 7.3 Supportive Leadership (5 min read)
  • 7.4 Brene Brown on Empathy, Blame and Vulnerability (3-6 min)
  • OPTIONAL Additional Videos Relevant to Public Defense Leadership
  • Test 12: Supportive Leadership
  • 7.5 Readings on Supporting Well-Being in Training and Mentorship (5 min read)
  • 7.6 Complete Public Defense Growth Worksheet (8 min activity)
  • 7.7 Training Zealous and Anti-Racist Defenders (10 min)
  • 7.8 Lisa Lunt on Federal Defender Training Programs (11 min)
  • OPTIONAL SWB Ray Ibarra Mentorship 2023.03.27 (12 min video)
  • OPTIONAL Videos Relevant to Mentorship in Public Defense
  • 7.9 Update at 1 week: SMARTIE Goal for your organization or community? (5 min)
  • OPTIONAL Experiential group practices (5 min read)
  • 7.10 CONCLUSION: Section 7
  • Test 13: Supportive Training Spaces and Mentorship
  • Section 7 Feedback
  • Section 8: EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION: MEDIA, LEGISLATIVE, RESOURCES (sphere 3)
  • 8.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 8 (10 min read)
  • 8.2 Media: “Public” Public Defenders (10 min read)
  • 8.3 Media: Confidentiality and Use of Other People's Stories (10 min read)
  • 8.4 Anti-racism: When you picture DWB, what do you see? (4 min)
  • 8.5 SWB Jennifer Roth Legislative Advocacy 2023.03.13 (7 min video)
  • Test 14: External Communications
  • 8.6 Budget Advocacy (watch 40:35-49:30) (9 min video)
  • 8.7 Caseload and Workload (2 min read)
  • 8.8 California Workload Study (2 min)
  • OPTIONAL: Webinar Malia Brink overview of Natl Workload Study (65 min)
  • 8.9 IDRA Gottleib Research on Caseload and Racial Disparity (10 min read)
  • 8.10 Update after 2 weeks: SMARTIE Goal for organization or community (5 min)
  • 8.11 CONCLUSION: Section 8
  • Test 15: Workload
  • Section 8 Feedback
  • Section 9: SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION: CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION (sphere 3)
  • 9.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 9
  • 9.2 Community Collaboration and Participatory Defense: Raj Jayadev (15 min)
  • 9.3 Thinking broadly and creatively (2 min read)
  • 9.4 What is Transformative Justice (10 min)
  • Test 16 Community Collaboration
  • OPTIONAL Abolition Is a Collective Vision: Interview With Mariame Kaba 3/29/21
  • OPTIONAL Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. Luvvie Ayaji Jones (11 min)
  • 9.5 Creativity for Inspiration and Transformation (10 min)
  • 9.6 Update at 3 weeks: SMARTIE Goal for your organization or community? (5 min)
  • OPTIONAL Mindful Music Moments | Beethoven (4 min video)
  • 9.7 CONCLUSION: Section 9
  • Section 9 Feedback
  • Section 10: FUTURE PLANS AND GOALS. APPRECIATION AND CELEBRATION.
  • 10.1 Overview of Topics for Section 10
  • 10.2 Section 10: Reading Assignment (5 min reading)
  • 10.3 Increasing Positivity (9 min video)
  • 10.4 Avoid Toxic Positivity (3 min video)
  • 10.5 Redefine success (3 min video)
  • OPTIONAL: Why We Need Appreciation (Not Just Recognition) at Work (16 min)
  • 10.6 Update: Why is your well-being a priority for you now? (5 min)
  • 10.7 CONCLUSION: Section 10
  • 10.8 Conclusion (30 sec video)
  • Section 10 Feedback
  • Final Course Feedback Survey
  • Library of Practices
  • Mindful Neighborhood Walk (5 min read/watch)
  • Gratitude exercise (5 min)
  • Lengthen Exhale to Reduce Stress Response (3 min)
  • Box breathing explanation and practice (3 min video)
  • Box Breathing Practice (1 min video)
  • Deepen Breathing to Activate Relaxation Response (4 min)
  • Take yourself for a walk (30 sec video)
  • Chair Stretched for Posture with Justin Agustin (1 min)
  • 5-Minute Morning Yoga - Yoga With Adriene (6 min video)
  • 1 sun salute in 1 minute with Jessamyn Stanley (1 min)
  • Mindfulness Sound Focus: Rhapsody in Blue (4 min)
  • Guided Meditation with Jellies (2-11 min)
  • 10 easy stretches to do at your desk (or at a meeting)(2:22 min video)
  • Creative inspiration: Am I a Man? (6 min video)
  • Inspiration: We Need To Talk About an Injustice, Bryan Stevenson (24 min video)
  • Inspiration: Angela Davis: Seize the Time (9:50 min video)
  • Creative Inspiration: Why art is a tool for hope (19 min)
  • Templates 53d
Completion rules
  • You must complete the units "1.1 Welcome to this OSPD IDID online system and course. (1 min video), 1.2 Welcome to this Course on Sustaining and Supporting Well-Being (2 min video), 1.3 Take care of yourself and take any accommodation that you need (1 min read), 1.4 Overview of Course Format (3:30 min video), 1.5 About this course: Overview of Weekly Topics (1 min read), 1.6 About the course: Locate the readings from BeSustained.org (2 min), 1.7 About the course: Small Group Meetings (includes zoom link)(1 min read), 1.8 About the course: Course faculty (1 min read), 1.9 About this course: Experiential learning component (1 min read), 1.10 MUST READ: How to Get Self-Study MCLE Credit For This Course, 1.11 MCLE credit for zoom sessions for CA Attorneys, 1.11 I QUIT! (aka Why is Sustaining Well-Being a Priority for Me?) (8 min video), 1.12 Join the Discussion: Why is your well-being a priority for you now? (5 min), 1.13 Group agreements, 1.14 Overview of Topics for Section 1 (1 min read), 1.15 Section 1: Reading Assignment (15 min reading), 1.16 Well Being as Competence and Access to Justice (5 min video), 1.17 Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset (2 min video), 1.18 Invitation to Try New Things (1 min video), 1.19 Why Mindfulness is a Superpower, by Dan Harris (3 min video), 1.20 CONCLUSION: Section one (2-5 min), TEST 1 Well-Being as Competence, Section 1 Feedback, 2.1 Overview of Topics for Section 2 (2 min read), 2.2 Section 2: Reading Assignment: Impacts and Stress. (10 min reading), 2.3 Is Working in Public Defense Good for You? (5 min video), 2.4 3 spheres of Well Being (12 min video), 2.5 The Relentless Mental Toll of Public Defense (5 min read), 2.6 Stress Response and Relaxation Response (2 min read), 2.7 Understanding the stress response (4 min read), TEST 2 Occupational Stress, 2.8 Reading Assignment: Assessment and Goals (10 min reading), 2.9 Self-awareness, Assessment and Goals (2:30 min video), 2.10 Complete a Well Being Self-Assessment (5 min activity), 2.11 Setting SMART Goals to Sustain Well Being (6 min video), 2.12 How to Set SMART Goals (4 min. video), 2.13 Complete Worksheet: Set a SMART Goal (8 min activity), 2.14 Goals and accountability (44 sec video), 2.15 Discussion: Share Your SMART Goal (2 min), 2.16 CONCLUSION: Section 2 (2 min read), Test 3 Self Awareness, Section 2 Feedback, 3.1 Overview of Topics for Section 3, 3.2 Section 3: Reading Assignment (10 min reading), 3.3 Identity in Public Defense (10 min read), 3.4 NAPD: First Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask, by Mary Moriarty (3 min), 3.5 Understanding burnout and need for rest (6 min video), 3.6 Boundary Self-Assessment (5 min activity), Test 4 Identity and Boundaries, 3.7 Readings on Efficiencies for Boundaries and Rest (8 min), 3.8 The Daily Routine Experts Recommend for Peak Productivity (3 min read), 3.9 Recreation and Positive Activities (2 min read), 3.10 Have a Third Thing, by Jeff Sherr (3 min video), 3.11 Update after 1 week: How's Your SMART Goal Going? (5 min), 3.12 The Research on the Value of Gratitude (5 min video), 3.13 The Value of Gratitude and Appreciation (5 min), 3.14 Activity (5 min), 3.15 CONCLUSION: Section 3 (5 min), Test 5 Efficiencies and Resilience, Section 3 Feedback, 4.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 4 (10 min read), 4.2 John Lopez on Trauma Informed Practice (12 min video), 4.3 Recognizing Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma (7 min video), 4.4 What is Trauma Informed Public Defense? (5 min read), 4.5 Crisis Public Defense (5 min skim), 4.6 Trauma and Oppressive Systems (5 min read), Test 6: Navigating Trauma, 4.7 Benefits of Movement (5 min read), 4.8 The Power of Movement (2 min read + optional movement), 4.9 Readings on Substance Use in the Legal Profession (10 min), 4.10 Let's Talk Substance Abuse (5:30 min video), 4.11 Update after 2 weeks: How's Your SMART Goal Going? (5 min), 4.12 CONCLUSION: Section 4 (2 min read), Test 7: Substance Use, Section 4 Feedback, 5.1 Overview of Topics for Section 5 (10 min read), 5.2 Repeat Well Being Self-Assessment (5-10 min activity), 5.3 Update after 3 weeks: Reassess Your SMART Goal (5 min), 5.4 Dr Z: It’s Not Burnout, It’s Moral Injury (6 min video), 5.5 Talbot and Dean Article on Moral Injury (10 min read), Test 8: Moral Injury, 5.6 Readings on Community Care and Supportive Spaces (10 min), 5.7 SWB John Lopez Creating Community Care 2023.03.13 (8 min video), 5.8 Addressing Loss and Resilience (5 min activity + optional videos), 5.9 How to Navigate Difficult Conversations, Oren Jay Sofer (5 min read), 5.10 Draft a Community Care Plan (10 min activity), 5.11 CONCLUSION: Section 5 (5 min read and reflect), Test 9 Community Care, Section 5 Feedback, 6.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 6 (10 min), 6.2 Surveys and Assessments (10 min. read), 6.3 Organizational Assessments (10 min read + activity), 6.4 Formulating a SMARTIE goal (5 min), 6.5 What is your SMARTIE Goal for your organization? (5 min), Test 10 Organizational Assessment and Initiatives, 6.6 Dismantling Oppressive Systems (8 min), 6.7 Antiracist and Multicultural Organizational Culture (10 min), 6.8 Kay Ulanday Barrett #RaceAnd (4 min), 6.9 Activity: Social Identity (10 min), 6.10 Defender Bias Harms Clients (10 min), 6.12 CONCLUSION: Section 6, Test 11: Organizational Inclusion, Section 6 Feedback, 7.1 Overview of Topics for Section 7 (15 min), 7.2 Creating a Culture of Support, Boundaries and Rest (8 min read), 7.3 Supportive Leadership (5 min read), 7.4 Brene Brown on Empathy, Blame and Vulnerability (3-6 min), Test 12: Supportive Leadership, 7.5 Readings on Supporting Well-Being in Training and Mentorship (5 min read), 7.6 Complete Public Defense Growth Worksheet (8 min activity), 7.7 Training Zealous and Anti-Racist Defenders (10 min), 7.8 Lisa Lunt on Federal Defender Training Programs (11 min), 7.9 Update at 1 week: SMARTIE Goal for your organization or community? (5 min), 7.10 CONCLUSION: Section 7, Test 13: Supportive Training Spaces and Mentorship, Section 7 Feedback, 8.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 8 (10 min read), 8.2 Media: “Public” Public Defenders (10 min read), 8.3 Media: Confidentiality and Use of Other People's Stories (10 min read), 8.4 Anti-racism: When you picture DWB, what do you see? (4 min), 8.5 SWB Jennifer Roth Legislative Advocacy 2023.03.13 (7 min video), Test 14: External Communications, 8.6 Budget Advocacy (watch 40:35-49:30) (9 min video), 8.7 Caseload and Workload (2 min read), 8.8 California Workload Study (2 min), 8.9 IDRA Gottleib Research on Caseload and Racial Disparity (10 min read), 8.10 Update after 2 weeks: SMARTIE Goal for organization or community (5 min), 8.11 CONCLUSION: Section 8, Test 15: Workload, Section 8 Feedback, 9.1 Overview of Topics and Reading Assignment for Section 9, 9.2 Community Collaboration and Participatory Defense: Raj Jayadev (15 min), 9.3 Thinking broadly and creatively (2 min read), 9.4 What is Transformative Justice (10 min), Test 16 Community Collaboration, 9.5 Creativity for Inspiration and Transformation (10 min), 9.6 Update at 3 weeks: SMARTIE Goal for your organization or community? (5 min), 9.7 CONCLUSION: Section 9, Section 9 Feedback, 10.1 Overview of Topics for Section 10, 10.2 Section 10: Reading Assignment (5 min reading), 10.3 Increasing Positivity (9 min video), 10.4 Avoid Toxic Positivity (3 min video), 10.5 Redefine success (3 min video), 10.6 Update: Why is your well-being a priority for you now? (5 min), 10.7 CONCLUSION: Section 10, 10.8 Conclusion (30 sec video), Section 10 Feedback, Final Course Feedback Survey"
  • Leads to a certificate with a duration: Forever
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