Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to Apply for a Wellness Grant: Confirm the application submittal by the Visalia Police Department for the Law Enforcement Mental Health Wellness Act Grant for a maximum amount of $200,000.
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Deadline for Action: 5/6/2024
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city>;
Luma Fahoum, ext. 4103, luma.fahoum@visalia.city <mailto:luma.fahoum@visalia.city>;
Liz Ybarra, Financial Analyst, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s submittal of an application for the Law Enforcement Mental Health Wellness Act (LEMWHA) Grant for a maximum amount of $200,000. The grant had to be submitted by April 30, 2024 and due to time constraints, it was submitted with the option to withdraw if Council chooses not to confirm the submittal. The grant performance period is for 24 months and is effective 10/1/2024.
Summary:
If approved, grant funds would be used to pay for mental health services specific to first responders that would consist of access to culturally competent therapy sessions for police department personnel and mandatory annual mental health wellness check-ins for all sworn staff and members of dispatch. These services would also include critical incident debriefs as well as support and training for the Department’s Peer Support Team. Funds would also be used to provide a Virtual Yoga Program designed for first responders to enhance wellness, reduce stress, and increase functional mobility for police department staff. Grant funds would also be utilized for a first responder wellness training/ conference for staff coordinating the grant.
Background Discussion:
The Grant is administered by the U.S Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS Office). The COPS office was appropriated $20 billion to advance community policing, which includes, hiring new officers, school safety, violent crime and officer safety and wellness. The COPS Office FY24 LEMHWA implementation Projects provide funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies. The COPS program is authorized under Omnibus Crime control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Title 1, Part Q, Public Law 103-322 34 U.S.C s 10381 et seq.
The funds are to be used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers and their families through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention and other promising practices for wellness programs. The total amount of funds to be awarded is $9,800,000.
The COPS Office implemented the LEMWHA grant program in recognition of the unique challenges faced by law enforcement first responders created by the nature of the work, exposure to critical incidents, and the impacts on officer wellness. Best practices in addressing officer wellness, reducing police suicides, and building more resilient first responders have shown to include access to culturally competent mental health providers who specialize in first responder therapy, regular wellness check-ins, and the use of physical fitness and yoga practices to improve the overall wellbeing of first responders.
Fiscal Impact:
There are no matching funds required. The Grant will allow for the cost of civilian personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, procurement contracts, and other direct and indirect costs. If the Grant is awarded, staff will return to Council for approval and to appropriate funds. At the conclusion of the grant period, the program will be evaluated for effectiveness and reviewed for continuation of the program.
The Department is proposing the following program budget:
|
VPD 2024 LEMHWA GRANT |
BUDGET |
|
Therapy Service |
$120,000.00 |
|
Wellness Check-Ins |
$62,000.00 |
|
Virtual Yoga Services |
$10,000.00 |
|
Peer Support Conference |
$8,000.00 |
|
TOTAL GRANT |
$200,000.00 |
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not authorize the Visalia Police Department to apply.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Confirm the Visalia Police Department’s application for the Law Enforcement Mental Health Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Grant for a maximum of $200,000.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Grant Solicitation.