Dr. Summer Wolfe has been promoted to the position of Mental Health Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for the Coconino County Detention Facility
Dr. Summer Wolfe has served in many different professional roles during her employment with Coconino County’s Detention Division over the past twenty-two years. After graduating first in her class from the Correctional Officer Training Academy she worked the floors at the Coconino County Detention Facility (CCDF) in both intake and housing units while also assuming supervisory responsibilities of the squad in the absence of the shift supervisor. After promoting to Detention Officer II, she has held various positions of increasing scope and responsibility, including Court Officer, Classification Officer, Community Work Crew Officer, and Field Training Officer. Summer was also assigned to a personal security detail for a female inmate who was furloughed to participate in a spiritual cleansing ceremony on the Navajo Reservation.
Throughout her years of employment with Coconino County, Summer has advanced her professional knowledge and skills by initially completing a Master’s Degree in Counseling and licensure for professional counselor. Currently, as a Mental Health Clinician at CCDF, Summer provides and coordinates care for mentally ill inmates. She assisted in developing the Rule 11 Diversion Committee comprised of a multi-disciplinary team tasked with identifying high risk mentally ill inmates in need of assistance before transitioning back into the community. The coordinated effort has had a positive impact on the lives of mentally ill inmates by reducing their length of incarceration, reconnecting them with treatment providers, and preventing their re-incarceration. In 2019, the committee was awarded the National Public Service Recognition Team Award by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors for their exemplary leadership and innovative re-entry strategies. Individually, Summer was the recipient of David’s Hope Mental Health Criminal Justice Collaboration Award and the JAILCON 19 Western Detention Facility Innovation Award. She was recognized for her outstanding leadership, service, and advocacy toward reducing the number of people with mental disorders who are incarcerated by improving their access to care in the community.
After completing a Master’s Degree in Nursing, Summer continued her education earning a Doctorate of Nursing Degree from Arizona State University graduating with a 4.0 grade point average while also completing her board certification for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Summer was nominated for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Excellence in Advancing Nursing Practice Award for an outstanding final Doctor of Nursing Practice project. Summer incorporated trauma treatment guidelines and evidence-based practices to develop a resiliency training for vicarious trauma in law enforcement officers. She implemented the training with deputies employed by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
Summer is committed to advancing her professional knowledge and skills. Her goal is to continue to provide innovative and evidence-based interventions that promote the best outcomes for mentally ill inmates.
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