TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Fiscal Year 2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Projects in the Amount of $200,000, and Authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as Applicable Under the City Charter, to Execute all Funding Documents After Legal Review, Should the Grant be Awarded to the City.
Recommended Action
Approve the application to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Fiscal Year 2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Projects in the amount of $200,000, and authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as applicable under the City Charter, to execute all funding documents after legal review, should the grant be awarded to the City.
Background Information
LEMHWA funds are used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for Law Enforcement Officers through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices of wellness programs.
To be effective in keeping our communities safe from crime and violence, good mental and psychological health is just as essential as good physical health for Law Enforcement Officers. The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program supports efforts to protect the mental health and well-being of Law Enforcement Officers and Deputies. Unfortunately, the stress of Officers’ work and the stigma often associated with seeking assistance for emotional and mental health issues have led to negative consequences such as divorce, alcoholism, injury, and even an increase in suicides among Officers across the country. The LEMHWA Implementation Projects aim to support state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement agencies seeking to implement new or to enhance existing programs that offer training and services on Officer emotional and mental health, peer mentoring, suicide prevention, stress reduction, and support services for Officers and their families.
The grant application requests funding for developing the North Port Police Wellness and Resiliency Program. This program will provide comprehensive and accessible resources that utilize best practices to support the overall mental and physical health of Officers serving the citizens of North Port. Grant funding would be used to cover attendance at select annual conferences for program committee members, to purchase a mobile wellness application for use by Officers and their family members, to ensure access to culturally competent mental health providers local to our area, to remove financial barriers for officers and their families who utilize mental health assistance, and to provide continuous education to better equip North Port Police Department Officers using a holistic approach.
Notification of award is expected in the Fall of 2024. Matching funds are not required. If awarded, the project period will be 24 months. This is a reimbursable grant, meaning the City will spend first and then request reimbursement from the granting agency.
If awarded, the Contracts will be reviewed by the City Attorney to ensure they are legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Safe Community Pillar
Financial Impact
Potential award of $200,000 to be utilized to fund North Port Police Wellness and Resiliency Program associated activities as specified above and in the grant application.
Revenue Account
001-0000-331.20-00 - Federal Grants / Federal - Public Safety
Expenditure Accounts
001-2100-521-31-00 - Professional Services
001-2100-521-40-00 - Training, Travel, Per Diem
001-2100-521-55-00 - Registration
001-2100-521.64-00 - Capital Expenditures
Procurement
Procurement Code, policies and procedures will be followed when the purchase is made.
Attachments:
1. Grant Application Packet
Prepared by: Jennifer Sadonis, Grants Coordinator
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager