Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Staff Training Deescalation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Library trustees ratify $900 state training grant for staff de-escalation course
Summary
The North Las Vegas Library District trustees ratified a $900 Library Services and Technology Act mini grant to cover most of a yearlong staff training program led by national trainer Ryan Dowd focused on de-escalation and serving unhoused and underserved patrons.
Trustees ratified a Library Services and Technology Act mini grant covering $900 of a $1,200, yearlong staff training program aimed at de-escalation and serving underserved patrons.
Forest Lewis, the district’s library director, told trustees the training will be mandatory for library staff and described the program’s focus. "This particular grant that we applied for is a training grant that we're working on that we're going to require all of our library staff to participate in," Lewis said. He identified trainer Ryan Dowd and said the program "focus[es] on dealing with homeless population, underserved populations who utilize the libraries."
Why it matters: Lewis said trustees approved the grant pending the ratification, and that the training aims to reduce incidents that escalate to trespass or call for safety interventions. Lewis said the course teaches staff to de‑escalate situations early and to connect patrons with workforce and social‑service partners when appropriate.
Trustees moved and seconded the ratification during the meeting. Trustee Heather Thomas Gibbons moved to recommend ratification; Trustee Ward seconded. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote.
Lewis said the training includes tangible materials for staff, including a workbook and reminder materials to be used during and after the course. He told the board one staff member had paid roughly $600 privately for similar training, indicating the $1,200 program level being funded. Lewis also said the district has partners such as Workforce Connections who will help with referrals and follow‑up for patrons who need services.
The trustees discussed logistics, and Lewis said the district will begin offering the training quickly after state funding is finalized. He described the grant as funded through the Federal Library Services and Technology Act and passed through the Nevada State Library.
Ending: Trustees approved the ratification and Lewis said staff will periodically refresh the training at staff meetings and the district’s annual training day to keep those skills current.
