Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Police Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20250813-005) to accept and appropriate $200,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services, for the Mental Health and Wellness Act implementation project. Funding: $200,000 is available from the U.S. Department of Justice. A City funding match is not required.
De
Lead Department
Austin Police
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $200,000 is available from the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services, FY25 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Implementation Program. A City funding match is not required. A fiscal note is attached.
For More Information:
Robin J. Henderson, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department, (512) 974-5030.
Additional Backup Information:
The City Manager’s Office reviewed this grant for alignment as directed by Resolution No. 20200611-096 and recommends approval. This action will accept $200,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services and amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Police Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund of Ordinance No. 20250813-005 to appropriate $200,000 for the Austin Police Department Mental Health and Wellness Act implementation project for the grant period (October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2027).
This pilot program will help to determine if low to moderate investments in training clinicians in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) will result in greater access to clinical support and the latest mental health therapy modalities for officers, civilian employees, and their families. A contractor will provide EMDR training for 58 community-based therapists. Grant personnel will schedule the work, track and report data (aggregate and surveys), and provide positive and supportive messaging to reduce the stigma around mental health services. The project deliverable (an implementation guide) will document the full process undertaken by APD to recruit, contract, and train 58 community-based clinicians in EMDR therapy and law enforcement cultural competence. It will include guidance on officer engagement, clinician engagement, contracting, training recommendations, coordination with peer support and wellness staff, scheduling of sessions, and maintaining confidentiality and officer trust.
The General Fund will not be required to contribute additional funds beyond those currently budgeted to this grant. When the grant funds expire, the Austin Police Department’s need for continuing funding will be evaluated and may be denied.