City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 19, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application for a Public Safety Resilience Behavioral Health Specialist (part-time employee).
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration for a new grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, in the amount of $125,000 to hire a part-time Public Safety Resilience Behavioral Health Specialist for a period of two years.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Receive and approve the grant application; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services is offering a grant opportunity through the FY 2021 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) program to hire a part time Public Safety Resilience Behavioral Health Specialist to assist the Alexandria Police Department's Resiliency & Peer Support Program. This grant funding is 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 from wellness programs.
DISCUSSION: Currently, the Alexandria Police Department is building a robust Resiliency & Peer Support Program for our employees. The Resiliency & Peer Support Program is a pro-active approach that includes educating new recruits and officers on recognizing and coping with the stress of the job. The program is utilized to assist Department employees who experience stress induced or other emotional problems. We support and encourage employees in securing quality, confidential assistance, making use of any of the se...
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