The Desert Refuge for Peace Officers presents
The Family Wellness Conference for Law Enforcement & Military Personnel
January 18, 2020  8AM TO 12PM
17114 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA 91316
Please join us for a morning dedicated to officers and all who serve our country, including their families. We are providing three sessions for adults, with sessions for children below the adult registration section.

​When you register, please choose between the two options offered for each session. If you have any questions, please contact Virginia.

Registration (below the session descriptions)  is free, but donations toward future programs and services from DRPO are always deeply appreciated and welcomed. If you wish to donate, you may click the button below.
Session One:
Choice A
A Thousand Paper cuts:  Addressing Chronic Stress Impact on Law Enforcement Officers Today
Kathy Bargar, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor & Assistant Director of Field Education, Brandman University
In this discussion we will focus on how trauma and stress lives in the body long after the day has ended. We will examine the research from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and individual experience that demonstrates how the experience of stress, trauma and tension is experienced physically in the body and can lead to chronic pain. The work of Dr. David Schecter and Dr. John Sarno will be explored. We will then explore and test out some approaches to addressing chronic back pain, foot pain, neck pain, migraines, gastrointestinal issues, and others.
  • Participants will learn and be able to identify for themselves how tension is stored within the body.
  • Participants will identify the common physical experiences of regular exposure to tension and reaction to simple injury. How a simple injury become chronic will be described and participants will self- assess their own experiences.
  • Participants will experience two hands-on approaches to addressing tension and pain in less than five minutes.
Choice B
The Neurobiology of Trauma and Memory
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Laura Kater
This course will discuss brain and memory basics, including misperceptions, memory processing, encoding, storage, retrieval, and the difference between traumatic and non-traumatic memories


Session 2:

​Choice A
Comprehensive Wellness for Law Enforcement Officers
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Stephen Seetal, Ph.D.
Salus Psychology
This course will provide participants with the opportunity to reflect candidly on functioning in various facets of their personal and professional lives in order to maintain or self-correct toward optimal functioning.

Participants will be provided with education and operational knowledge of healthy functioning in the areas of intimate-partner, family, and peer relationships. Participants will understand factors that affect physical and emotional wellness, and the consequences of not attending to functioning in these areas.
Choice B
Cumulative Stress and LEO Suicide
Melissa Swailes
Blue HELP/ LAPD Family Support Group
  • Signs and Symptoms of Cumulative Post-Traumatic Stress Injury 
  • Facts regarding the growing issue of Law enforcement suicide 
  • Next steps LEOs can take/resources 
  • LEOs and LEO Spouses

​Session 3:
Choice A
Married to the Job?
Nathan Parga, Narcotics Unit
San Diego Police Department
Jennifer Parga, MSW
Clinical Assistant Professor
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work 
In this discussion, married couple Jennifer and Nathan Parga will use humor to explore topics related to family life and will address how couples adjust shift schedules, blending LEO and non-LEO families, challenges of differing perceptions and how to discuss the job with your children.
  • Attendees will explore effective ways of communicating with one another during different work and life stages.
  • Attendees will strategize meaningful ways for their family to identify a work life balance. 
Choice B
Make Mental Health Your Priority
John Del Vecchio 
Lieutenant II, LAPD, retired
  • Participants will learn about first hand experience/struggles and what interventions worked
  • Participants will be introduced to yoga, meditation, Reiki and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Trauma
  • Session will end with a 15-20 minute yoga session

    Adult Registration

Children's Sessions

  • Introduction to Kids' Yoga with John DelVecchio
  • radKIDS Safety Education with Sgt. Frank Gudani, CSUN Police Services
  • Emotional Resilience for Kids with Virginia G. Hernandez, LCSW
  • Therapeutic Crafts for Kids with Cristina Estrada, Social Work Intern

    Child Regisgtration

Upcoming Events

Spring 2020

Stay turned for the Tug of War Competition between police and military at the LAPD Academy!

Past Events

Thank You!

The Los Angeles Police Chaplain Corps hosted an Interfaith Prayer Service at the LAPD Academy. There was a special badge blessing, and music by the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipers.

Thank you to all in attendance.