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ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT UP TO $250,000 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COPS: LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT (LEMHWA) GRANT FFY26 PROGRAM TO ENHANCE OUR OFFICER WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND ACCEPT, EXECUTE AND IF NECESSARY, MODIFY ALL RELATED DOCUMENTS, CONTRACTS, AND SUCH INSTRUMENTS AS DEEMED NECESSARY.
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WHEREAS, good mental health is as essential as good physical health for law enforcement officers to be effective in keeping our communities safe from crime and violence; and
WHEREAS, the stigma associated with seeking assistance for emotional issues prevents many officers from obtaining services for the stresses and trauma of law enforcement, making them vulnerable to negative consequences for themselves and their families, including substance abuse, divorce, and suicide; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, through the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA), is offers funding 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; and
WHEREAS, in 2024 the City applied for and was awarded an implementation grant approved by this Board, established a program, and contracted a dedicated clinician to lead our Wellness efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Police Service seeks to apply for an additional expansion grant from the program to build upon the existing program to add a train the trainer programing that enhances peer support for personnel coping and dealing with trauma, the development and implementation of a peer-to-peer support application and provide an additional on-call clinician for post incident support.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that it hereby authori...
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