Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorization to Accept the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant - Authorize and accept the State of California Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant from The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and appropriate $102,504 to enhance and support the physical, mental, and emotional health of police officers.
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Deadline for Action: 2/20/2024
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city <mailto:jason.salazar@visalia.city>
Captain Luma Fahoum, ext. 4103, luma.fahoum@vislialia.city <mailto:luma.fahoum@vislialia.city>
Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext.4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Authorize and accept the State of California Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant from The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and appropriate $102,504 for programs to enhance and support the physical, mental, and emotional health of police officers. The funds were received in advance and must be spent by December 1, 2025
Summary:
It is recommended that the Visalia Police Department purchase and sole source the Health and Wellness Program from Pinnacle Training Systems (PTS) which includes a Health Screening, Functional Movement Screen, and blood work to include the LpPLA2 screen test (test for cardiovascular disease marker). Sole source is recommended because it is a one-time program. Should the City choose to consider a similar type of testing in the future, an RFP will be issued to include local healthcare options that could perform the testing. Remaining funds will be used to pay for training for members of the Department’s Peer Support Team and a Peer Support Retreat hosted by Shift Wellness.
This customized option from Pinnacle Training Systems was chosen because it provides overall Health Screening and Injury Risk Assessment. Pinnacle Training Systems works with first responder agencies throughout the state of California providing scientific evidence-based wellness testing and training that is designed to specifically address the unique demands of first responders to improve their health and minimize risk for injury.
The Pinnacle Training System testing includes the following:
• Testing for body fat composition.
• Resting blood pressure.
• Cardiovascular/ aerobic capacity.
• Electrocardiogram monitoring.
• Exercise blood pressure.
• Blood work to include LpLA2 screen test (test for cardiovascular disease marker).
• Functional Movement Test (FMS) that is job specific. Once the FMS test is conducted, the officer will receive a customized work out plan to target areas of deficiency and weakness. This test can be beneficial in helping to reduce on-the-job injuries.
Participation in the Health Screening and Injury Risk Assessment will be made available to the Department’s sworn officers on a voluntary basis. Pinnacle Training Systems provides the screening and assessments on-site at the Visalia Police Department. In addition to the screening and assessments, this program would also include eight (8) Health & Wellness Seminars provided by Pinnacle Training Systems staff at regularly scheduled Department training days to provide additional information on overall wellness, risk management and injury prevention, and functional wellness.
Background Discussion:
The State of California allocated $50 million in one-time funds from the State General Fund to be dispersed to law enforcement agencies across the state to provide peace officer wellness grants to be administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections. The grant was established in the 2022 Budget Act to be dispersed for city and county law enforcement agencies and the allocation of funds were determined by the number of sworn law enforcement officers in the agency. Based on the State formula, the Visalia Police Department is eligible to receive $102,504 from the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant.
The funds can be used to establish or expand wellness programs, peer support and services from mental health professionals and other services that are evidence based or have a successful track record of enhancing officer wellness. These funds are limited to use for wellness programs directed at sworn peace officers. Additionally, this is a one-time state-funded opportunity with no ongoing funding available.
Department staff have met with Human Resources Manager and Risk Manager to discuss the proposal. Specifically, the discussion was centered around bringing Pinnacle Training Systems (PTS) to provide testing to sworn members of the Visalia Police Department. These discussions also determined that it would not be feasible for the City of Visalia Wellness Center to administer a similar program at this time. There were no areas of concerns as it related to using this program proposal for (PTS) and it was acknowledged that this is a one-time funding.
Due to the limited funds, this program would be a one-time offering for the Department’s sworn personnel unless additional funding could be secured in the future to maintain the program. This sole source proposal for Pinnacle Training Systems is recommended for this one-time funding based on their established expertise and programming offered to first responder agencies through the state, their ability to provide the program in a timely manner to meet grant funding deadlines and based on their ability to provide the testing and seminars on site for Department personnel. The City will be billed only for the officers that choose to participate. The costs below are based on full participation of all sworn officers.
In the event additional funding could be secured in the future to continue a similar program for Department and/ or other City staff, the Department would come back to Council for authorization to submit a Request for Proposal for a longer-term, sustained wellness program to identify an appropriate vendor to meet those expanded needs.
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed budget for this project is reflected in the table below:
|
PROJECT |
ITEM |
QTY |
COST |
TOTAL |
|
Pinnacle Training Systems |
Health Screen & Functional Movement Test |
160 |
$410 |
$65,600 |
|
|
LpPLA2 Test |
160 |
$55 |
$8,800 |
|
|
Health & Wellness Seminar |
8 |
$400 |
$3,200 |
|
Public Safety Peer Support Assoc. |
Peer Support Team Training |
5 |
$2,412 |
$12,060 |
|
Shift Wellness |
Peer Support Retreat |
6 |
$2,000 |
$12,000 |
|
TOTAL PROJECT COST |
$101,660 |
The Department requests a CIP Account be established for $102,504 as expenditures will take place through December 2025. The funds have been paid in advance by the State and are identified in the General Fund Deferred Account T21138. Final expenditure report is due by 12/1/2025. Any unused funds at the end of the grant must be returned to the BSCC and returned to the State’s General Fund. The are no matching funds required.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Not to accept the funds and return to State.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Authorize and accept the State of California Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and appropriate $102,504 to enhance and support the physical, mental, and emotional health of police officers.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: State of California Funding Schedule and Grant Information.