Reference: Colorado DOLA Grant Application-Peace Officer’s Mental Health Support
To: Mayor Ken Kreutzer and Members of City Council
Through: Philip Rodriguez, City Manager
Prepared By: Paul Southard, Chief of Police
Date Prepared: March 4, 2019
PURPOSE
To request approval of the application of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Peace Officer’s Mental Health Support Grant.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Safe, Active and Engaged Community
BACKGROUND
Colorado Department of Local Affairs has made available funding in 2019 for the purposes of Peace Officer’s Mental Health Support. The funds can be used to provide on-scene response services to support peace officer’s handling of persons with mental health disorders; and counseling services to peace officers. Grants are approved on a first-come first-serve basis.
Funds are awarded until exhausted. This is an annual grant program funded by DOLA.
The Brighton Peer Support team consists of 11 members who have completed 40 hours of Colorado Peace Officer Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) to act as peer support members. Several other agencies within Adams County also have P.O.S.T. certified peer support team members. Currently, there is a need for advanced peer support training across the region.
Recent events such as the death of CSP Corporal Dan Groves demonstrate how local peer support teams may be called on to assist other agencies. In this instance Brighton peer support team members were able to respond to Platte Valley and provide services for the CSP troopers on scene until CSP peer support members could reach the hospital.
CONCLUSIONS
The Brighton Police Department is requesting the funds be used to host an advanced 3 day regional peer support team training. Staff believes this grant provides an opportunity to ensure a higher level of training for the team as well as building a network of trained peer support members in the region. The remaining funds will be utilized to reimburse funds spent for individuals seeking counseling support above and beyond the capabilities of the peer support team.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The grant application is for $50,000. The estimated cost for hosting the advanced 3-day regional training is $5,000 to $10,000. The remaining funds will be used for individual or group counseling services. There is no additional financial impact to the city.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
1) Approve
2) Decline
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Police Department, therefore, recommends approval of the grant submission.
ATTACHMENTS
• Peace Officer Mental Health Notice of Funding Available Final Feb 2019
• C.R.S. 24-32-3501
• Peace Officer Mental Health Support Grant Awards 2018
• Peace Officer Mental Health Support Grant Budget Breakdown
• Peace Officer Mental Health Support Grant Application (partial completion)