At Pregame, we define “startup” as any innovative group working to change the game.
Portland Street Response is a profound example. As the City of Portland’s new first responder program, PSR is tasked with assisting people experiencing mental and behavioral health crises, thus relieving that response burden from fire and police, who are better suited to other types of emergencies. PSR was to be piloted under Portland Fire & Rescue, giving it access to PF&R resources and support.
In order to support the program’s success, Portland Fire and Rescue established a new division for community health that includes the Portland Street Response (PSR) and Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) Programs.
The challenge: Going citywide fast while working coherently within an existing, established government organization.
Because Portland Fire & Rescue had worked with Pregame on its strategic plan the year prior, PSR’s program manager was familiar with our approach and called us for support.
There’s a nationwide movement in the United States to reimagine policing. Cities everywhere are creating new divisions that can provide the appropriate response to people who may need services rather than law enforcement. Programs like M.I.T.’s Stand Together Ventures Lab are supporting a future-ready approach to community safety and health.
Pregame is uniquely positioned to support initiatives like these. We build sustainable startups and conscious, accountable leaders – vital to the success of a new program, even if it’s within a legacy organization like government or law enforcement.
Pregame went above and beyond in partnering with PSR by co-creating and facilitating PSR’s updated Onboarding trainings, then designing and leading its Supervisor Training, Team Training, and Team Building days to unite its internal culture.
Supervisor Training
3 days, 10 content modules, 4 trainers
In designing PSR’s Supervisor Training, Pregame was asked to complement required Onboarding and City trainings. We brought in several of our signature workshops, designed several new modules, and tapped our talented Coaching team to round out the curriculum. Modules included an interactive approach to building skills in leadership, communication, productivity, feedback, and supporting staff. As always, our workshops included worksheets and Pro Tips that could be immediately implemented, leveling up the leadership team.
“Overall this training was necessary and fantastic! There are so many valuable takeaways that I will continue to implement throughout my supervisory career.
Each presenter did a great job of delivering their knowledge, skills and abilities, and I feel much more secure about entering into my new supervisory role. I loved all of the group interaction, and definitely benefited from hearing everyone’s different perspectives. I definitely feel set up for success, and I’m excited to implement my new tools.”
– CHD Supervisor
Team Training
2 days, 3 content modules, 2 trainers
After seven different cohorts of new hire Onboardings, CHD needed to encourage a cohesive team culture and build relationshps. Pregame created a proactive learning environment conducive to professional development. Modules included a curated panel of local community leaders, our new workshop on Creating Culture, and an Applied Improv Workshop with our friends from award-winning local company ComedySportz.
(Why improv? It’s the best tool for training individuals to be immediately aware, responsive, and adaptable. It’s about quickly understanding and processing what is happening in real-time, then responding to quickly move the action forward. We highly recommend improv training to anyone who wants a skill set that will positively affect every area of your life!)
Team Building
2 days, 5 activities, 2 trainers
CHD over doubled in size within a few months and had yet to come together as an entire team. Pregame was asked to develop their first ever team building experiences. We focused on activities that would blend fun with relationships, connect team members from different backgrounds, and show appreciation for the team’s hard work.
“Pregame planned such a great day for us. This was easily the best team building day I have ever experienced in my 14 years at the City.
Not only was great care taken to plan and execute the day, but it showed me that the division’s leadership values its employees and is creative in showing that.
I really hope more bureaus at the City consider working with Pregame to bring their teams back together whether for a day, or several, after 2 years of being apart. I think it would rebuild cohesion and joy within workgroups.”
– Financial Analyst, CHD
New Hire Onboarding
14 days, 35 content modules, 27 trainers
CHD was growing their program teams and expanding Citywide after its first pilot in one neighborhood. They asked Pregame to take over planning and coordinating their new hire Onboarding to get teams ready to hit the ground running.
We wanted content to be extremely relevant to what responders would experience on the streets, so we scoured the City for organizations with real-world experience. We sourced trainers from community nonprofits and practices with specializations in mental health, homelessness, addiction recovery, youth, seniors, sex workers, and much more.
Our Onboarding was repeated with nine different new hire cohorts and is still used today.
