TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, including any necessary subsequent amendments, with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, to receive and expend grant funding up to $175,000 from the Fiscal Year 2022 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Implementation Projects, for the period of September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2024; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Police Department by $175,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) was awarded the Fiscal Year 2022 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Projects from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), in the amount of $175,000. The purpose of the grant is 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 for wellness programs.
LBPD will apply the funds to support wellness initiatives that include the expansion of the Peer Support Program (PSP) and Wellness Program. Grant funds will support the development of a Peer Support Cadre with Basic Peer Support, Basic Critical Incident Stress Management, and Advanced Peer Support training from experts in the field of first responder wellness. The funds will also support culturally competent bi-monthly “Wellness Wednesday” events that will touch on topics such as suicide prevention, drug/alcohol dependency, mindfulness, and wellness in the workplace, etc. Resiliency training for Police Recruits and their families will be provided pre- and post-Academy to allow for early exposure to mental health awareness and its relation to long-term officer wellness and performance.
The PSP will be comprised of and available to all LBPD personnel and will collaborate with a regional network of PSPs to share advancements in techniques and provide support via mutual aid efforts. Members of the Peer Support Cadre will also have the opportunity to learn best practices from other agencies and experts, as well as receive additional education through participation in regional and national wellness and peer support trainings, such as COPS - Law Enforcement Wellness and Trauma Conference, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Officer Safety and Wellness Symposium and the Public Safety Peer Support Association Conference.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on November 4, 2022 and by Budget Management Officer Nader Kaamoush on November 12, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on December 6, 2022, to expedite use of grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Fiscal Year 2022 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Implementation Projects grant will provide the City of Long Beach with reimbursement funding of up to $175,000 for the period of September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2024 from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to use towards expanding a Peer Support and Wellness Program. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $175,000 in the General Grants Fund Group in the Police Department, offset by grant revenue. The grant does not require any matching or in-kind funds. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
WALLY HEBEISH
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER