HomeMy WebLinkAboutA054 - June 24, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:9
DATE:06-24-25
DEPT:POLICE
SUBJECT:2025 LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS ACT GRANT
PROGRAM
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Ames Police Department recently received notice of the Law Enforcement Mental Health
and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) grant program. The LEMHWA program will fund the delivery of
and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers and their
families through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide
prevention, stress reduction, clinical support, and other promising practices for wellness
programs.
This goal will be achieved by:
1. Increasing law enforcement agency capacity to provide mental health and wellness
training and resources for employees of law enforcement agencies and their families.
2. Increasing law enforcement agency capacity to implement peer support networks for
crisis and non-crisis circumstances.
3. Increasing law enforcement agency capacity to address and reduce the stigma
associated with officer mental health and wellness by supporting the implementation of
mental health education and development of resources.
The application deadline is June 30, 2025, with a two-year duration for a maximum of
$200,000 per award with no local match. The Police Department intends to apply for two
programs through this grant. The total grant funding request for the two programs is $124,000.
Crisis Response K9 Team Program:
A Crisis Response K9 Team consists of a certified Therapy Dog handled by a First Responder
trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). CISM is a "first aid" approach to
assisting individuals who have recently experienced a traumatic event. The dog, with the
assistance of the trained handler, can provide a comforting, calming, and supportive presence
for those who interact with it. Crisis Response K9 Teams may be deployed to:
Provide peer support for other First Responders
Assist with incident debriefings within First Responder agencies
Respond directly to major traumatic or disaster events
Provide support to those enduring grief, loss, or trauma
Aid prosecutors in victim interviews and depositions
Visit medical facilities to support staff as well as patients
Support schools during emergency drills as well as with educational visits to raise
awareness about mental wellness
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The dog and handler team trains together for as long as 12-18 months to develop skills set at
the highest national standards of Animal Assisted Crisis Response. Each team is then tested
and certified by Master K9 trainers at the Crisis Response K9 Academy. Graduates of the
Academy are then able to be deployed by their Agency to provide support to those affected by
critical incidents.
The first year cost for the program is approximately $15,000, which covers the cost of the dog,
training, veterinary care, food, and equipment. Staff has identified a potential partner agency,
Crisis Canines of the Midlands, which has assisted in the placement and training of dozens of
crisis dogs in agencies across Iowa. The organization assists with the initial development of an
agency's program, ongoing training, and assistance with raising outside funding, if necessary.
Ongoing costs for the program are minimal, including food and veterinary care up to $4,000
per year. However, most of these costs would likely be taken care of through donations and
partnerships, from our own Animal Shelter. Other agencies utilizing the program find
veterinary care is often donated along with food for the K9.
An existing staff member in the Police Department has been identified as the handler,
so no additional personnel will be needed to manage this program.
Tactical Longevity Training
Tactical Longevity Training goes beyond awareness level training and provides actionable
strategies and practical techniques and exercises designed to prevent or significantly reduce
the impact of stress and trauma on first responders.
Retention: Tactical Longevity's Anti-Fragility program enhances retention by providing those in
high-stress roles and high-stakes environments with skills to transform workplace challenges
into pathways for personal and professional advancement.
Team Member Engagement : The program enhances engagement through dynamic training
that fosters a sense of purpose, belonging, and investment in their roles and the mission of the
agency.
Under-Performance: By targeting the roots of under-performance, which often are based in
how we think about what we experience, the Anti-Fragility mindset helps officers overcome
obstacles and reach their full potential.
Morale: Tactical Longevity’s approach improves morale by creating a supportive culture from
the ground up, one that values growth through hardship, recognizes achievements in spite of
constant adversity, and empowers officers to take pride in their ability to thrive in challenging
times.
Community Relationships: The program strengthens community relationships by equipping
professionals with the tools they need to be able to maintain empathy in the face of stress,
improve communication skills and hence the ability to connect quickly with citizens, and listen
to community needs so they can respond thoughtfully.
Recruitment: The program may bolster recruitment efforts by showcasing a commitment to
team member development and well-being, attracting candidates eager to join a forward-
thinking and supportive agency.
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The Training program from Tactical Longevity consists of a two- year program as outlined
below.
Year One of the training program (approximately $36,000)
Field Trainer Course (Live sessions) - this provides for a train-the-trainer
Recruit Course (recorded version and proctored)
Access to smartphone application (providing feedback and guidance)
Email Content (providing tips, articles, training materials)
Option for Ambassador Training (4 hr live course) and 6 coaching sessions = Add $10,000
Year Two (Approximately $58,000)
Field Trainer "Refresher" class - Live, 6 hrs
Recruit Course continued (recorded and proctored)
Access to smartphone application
Email Content
First Line Supervisor Course - Live
Leadership Course- Live
General "All Agency" Course for civilians, dispatch, other employees
Option for continued Ambassador Coaching = Add $5,000
Key deliverables include in-person courses, continuous skill reinforcement through the Tactical
Longevity app, habit tracking, and ongoing digital content engagement. The intended
outcomes are to operationalize psychological resilience across the agency, reduce burnout,
increase job satisfaction and retention, and strengthen public trust through a healthier, more
engaged workforce.
The aim of the training program is to reduce early-career attrition, increase peer support
utilization, and enhance emotional durability, ultimately leading to better community
relationships and engagements. Metrics: course completion, individual qualitative feedback
after completion of the course, and internal (pre and post) surveys on burnout, morale, self-
awareness, self-regulation, social connectedness, and mental flexibility. Evaluation will guide
ongoing improvements.
The program first targets Field Training Officers (FTOs) to provide them the tools to teach
these strategies to new recruits along with a new recruit class. The program would also
provide training for all members along with specific training for supervisors and leadership in
year two.
The full cost of the program is up to $109,000 for a two-year program and can be scaled
based on grant award. The entire program can be modified to fit the specific grant
funding. In future years, our Field Training Officers and Supervisor will perform the
training for new employees.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize staff to submit an application to the Law Enforcement Mental Health and
Wellness Act (LEMHWA) grant program.
2. Do not authorize staff to submit an application to the Law Enforcement Mental Health
and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) grant program.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Grant funding has been used productively to provide training and equipment. This
grant may provide funds to enhance training and support to the City's first responders
and also provide a new service to Ames residents. Therefore, it is the recommendation of
the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above.
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