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POST‑UCSD wellness pilot completes 60‑agency rollout; commission names program for Joyce Dudley
Summary
POST and UC San Diego reported completion of a three‑year organizational wellness pilot serving 60 agencies, with a virtual platform (7/20 Health), mentorship hours and supplies. The commission unanimously agreed to name the initiative after former Santa Barbara DA Joyce Dudley.
POST’s organizational wellness pilot with the University of California, San Diego concluded the initial contract period and reached its target of 60 participating agencies, UCSD researchers and POST staff told commissioners Thursday.
Raymond Nadaego of POST’s Management Counseling and Projects Bureau described a three‑year contract that funded an agency wellness coordinator course that reached about 160 attendees, mentorship hours for agency wellness teams, small‑grant supplies for agency wellness activities and a statewide conference in May 2025 that drew roughly 165 participants. UC San Diego’s Dr. Cassandra Beaton described the program’s “7 20 Health” platform — a modular online curriculum and optional Fitbit‑based research component intended to track sleep, activity and stress in participating officers.
Dr. Beaton said UCSD collected qualitative and biometric data and will publish research findings on correlations between wellness training and individual outcomes in October 2025. She described the program’s emphasis on leadership buy‑in, culturally competent materials, and a blend of training, organizational planning and direct support (mentorship and supplies). UCSD reported about 2,500 mentorship hours delivered and said 45 additional agencies remain on a wait list.
Executive Director Manny Alvarez told the commission that the Legislature provided a special appropriation of $5 million for the pilot; the three‑year contract ends June 30, 2025. POST staff said they will seek continued funding, potentially in shorter increments, to sustain the work and to expand access for agencies on the wait list. Commissioners and staff discussed options to use partnerships and regional conferences to sustain program goals with smaller budgets.
In recognition of the program’s origin and long‑standing advocacy, Chair Jeff Long asked whether the commission would name POST’s organizational wellness program in honor of former Santa Barbara District Attorney Joyce Dudley. No commissioner objected; the motion to name the initiative the Joyce Dudley Organizational Wellness Program passed by unanimous consent.
Why it matters: Law‑enforcement wellness initiatives aim to reduce trauma‑related illness, increase retention and reduce sick leave/compensation costs; the POST‑UCSD pilot provides an evidence‑based model that other agencies can adopt.
What’s next: UCSD will deliver final research results in October 2025. POST staff said they will continue to develop a resource list of culturally competent evaluators, explore telehealth options and pursue funding to expand the program to agencies on the wait list.
