DATE: December 21, 2022
TO: Police Chiefs and Sheriffs
FROM: Linda Penner, Chair
SUBJECT: OFFICER WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANT AWARD I am pleased to let you know that the BSCC has begun processing the Officer Wellness and Mental Health grants, which were included in the Budget Act of 2022. All eligible law enforcement agencies will receive their payment by February 15, 2023. This memorandum provides further information about the purposes of the grant, and requests your assistance in identifying the person in your agency who will be responsible for required data reporting.
This disbursement is being made in accordance with Assembly Bill 178, Chapter 45, Statutes of 2022, Item 5227-121-0001. This funding is available to all city and county law enforcement agencies employing officers described in Section 830.1 of the Penal Code. The Officer Wellness grant is for the purpose of improving officer wellness and expanding mental health sources as follows:
1. Establishing officer wellness units or expanding existing officer wellness units.
2. Establishing peer support units or expanding peer support units.
3. Services provided by a licensed mental health professional, counselor, or other professional that works with law enforcement.
4. Expanding multiagency mutual aid programs focused on officer wellness and mental health.
5. Other programs or services that are evidence based or have a successful track record of enhancing officer wellness.
For further information about this funding and to identify the amount of funding allocated to your agency, please visit the Board of State and Community Corrections’ webpage for the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant available at https://www.bscc.ca.gov/officer-wellness-and-mental-health-grant-program/.
Provision 2 of the Budget Act requires each grant recipient to submit an expenditure report and a final impact report no later than December 1, 2025. Additionally, grant recipients will submit a brief annual expenditure report. Reports will be provided to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Detailed information regarding reporting requirements and reporting requirement webinars will be sent out in early 2023.
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Officer Wellness & Mental Health Grant Recipients
Please send the name and email address of the individual(s) within your agency who will be responsible for the implementation and reporting requirements for this grant to [email protected] by February 28, 2023 so they may receive additional information regarding detailed reporting requirements, webinars, and deadlines.
If you have any questions regarding this funding distribution, please email [email protected] and a BSCC staff member will respond.
Sincerely,
LINDA PENNER
Chair
Board of State & Community Corrections
ATTACHMENT 1