Subject:
Title
Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, for the Fiscal Year 2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Implementation Project.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the Department Director for the submission of the grant application for the Fiscal Year 2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Project by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).
• PCSO will submit the application under their Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), as well as handle all fiscal and programmatic administration for this grant upon award.
• For law enforcement agency applicants, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) require that both the top law enforcement executive (Sheriff) and the top government executive (County Administration) sign the grant application electronically through the JustGrants system.
• PCSO is seeking $200,000 in federal funding to enhance and expand its current LEMHWA program by offering more intensive, professional mental health and wellness services to its officers and their families.
• PCSO will sub award funds to Mental Health for Heroes (MHFH), a local 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to providing mental health services to frontline heroes in Pinellas County, Florida.
• No match is required.
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
PCSO is seeking federal funding under the FY24 COPS Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Project to enhance and expand its current LEMHWA program by offering more intensive, professional mental health and wellness services to its officers and their families Body
Background Information:
Good mental and psychological health is just as essential as good physical health for law enforcement officers to be effective in keeping our communities safe from crime and violence. 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 for officers across the country.
As part of the act, Congress authorized the COPS Office to fund state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to implement new or enhance existing programs that offer training and services on officer emotional and mental health, peer mentoring, suicide prevention, stress reduction, and police officer family services. Multiple grant awards will be issued for up to $200,000 each.
The LEMHWA Implementation Projects topic area aims to support state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement agencies seeking to implement new or 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. Proposed projects may serve one agency, a consortium of agencies, or personnel from agencies located within a county or state.
Fiscal Impact:
PCSO is requesting federal funding in the amount of $200,000 over a 24-month period of performance, from 10/2/2024 through 10/1/2026. PCSO will be serving as the applicant and fiscal agent for grant administration. No match is required.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Department Director to sign this grant application was delegated by the County Administrator per the memo dated March 28, 2016 titled “Delegation of Authority by the County Administrator and Improved Grant Procedures.”
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Mental Health for Heroes
Attachments:
FY24 LEMHWA Grant Solicitation
Intent to Apply
DOJ Certifications, Disclosures, and Assurances
FY23 Grant Award Package