Dr. Adam Ford
Meet Dr. Ford, Commander of the Peer Support Team
Greetings,
My name is Dr. Adam L. Ford and I am currently the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Senior Administrator II. In January of 2020 I celebrated my 20-year anniversary with the Sheriff’s Office, of which 13 have been as a paid employee. During my career, I have had the great pleasure of working as a volunteer Victim Specialist, Civil Deputy, paid Victim Specialist, Victim Response Team Director, and most recently Senior Administrator II, where I have the great pleasure of leading dedicated professionals in our Civil Law Division, Victim Response Team, Trauma Team, and Peer Support Team.
One of the many things that makes our agency stand out from others for me is that I was afforded the ability to work full-time while finishing my doctoral degree in counseling. While it was not easy, I could not have done it without the support of this agency. Finishing my college education has allow me to develop a robust Peer Support Team, and internal Behavioral Health Program.
I can easily say that our agency has some of the top-notch workforce in the Western Slope, if not the entire state of Colorado, which allows us to assist many other agencies that lack the resources our agency is able to provide.
I have greatly enjoyed my tenure at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. I hope to see you joining the ranks of our agency.
Dr. Adam L. Ford
Making Mental Health a Priority
The Garfield County Peer Support Team is a multi-jurisdictional team that was established to ensure that Garfield County public safety staff involved in on-duty and off-duty related critical incidents or stressful situations are provided with intervention and available resources to cope with the immediate effects of a traumatic incident or ongoing daily stress. Our Peer Support Team consists of sworn and non-sworn law enforcement officers, dispatchers, administrative staff, and other public safety staff who are trained in providing peer support and resources to ensure the overall health and well-being of Garfield County public safety staff.
Peer Support provides a peer who will listen, answer questions, offer resources, and help staff deal with his or her situation in a confidential environment. Peer Support is not a substitute for professional counseling, which all public safety staff may receive through their agency’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or Peer Support Advisers that are available to assist staff in facilitating EAP services.
Public safety staff may contact a Peer Adviser directly or by contacting our 24/7 hotline for the on-call Peer Adviser. Our Peer Support hotline is answered by a third party answering service. Additionally, per Colorado Revised Statutes, Peer Support Advisers cannot divulge shared information with other employees, family members, friends, supervisors, managers, command staff, or the general public within the limits of Colorado Revised Statutes and agency policies. No written records are kept of the names of persons who contact peer support or the information they share.
Peer Support is offered following all work-related critical incidents to ensure you are aware of available resources for both you and your family. If you decline peer support services initially and you change your mind, you can always contact us at a later date. Our support will always be there for you….. a week, a year, even years after the incident occurred.
Code 4 Counseling
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being among its staff, understanding the unique challenges faced by law enforcement professionals. To address these needs, the department has implemented Code 4 Counseling, a specialized service catering to the unique requirements of public safety officials. This initiative underscores the Sheriff's Office's commitment to the holistic health of its team.
Code 4 Counseling offers culturally competent public safety counseling, focusing on critical incident debriefs and ongoing mental health therapy. By providing access to these essential services, the Garfield County Sheriff's Office ensures that its staff receives the support necessary to navigate the complexities of their profession. This proactive approach not only enhances the mental resilience of the officers but also contributes to a healthier, more resilient law enforcement community, ultimately benefitting the entire Garfield County community they serve.
To learn more about Code 4 Counseling and the resources they provide, you can scan the QR code or click HERE to visit their website.
