SR 03-21-2023 5A
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 21, 2023
Agenda Item: 5.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ramon Batista, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Accept Officer Wellness & Mental Health Grant
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section
15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant awarded in the amount of
$141,118.62 from the California Board of State and Community Corrections
(BSCC) for the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant Award.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the
grant and all grant renewals.
4. Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget
Actions section of this report.
Summary
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has been awarded an Officer Wellness
and Mental Health Grant in the amount of $141,118.62 by the California Board of State
and Community Corrections. Funds must be used by December 1, 2025. No local
match is required. The grant aims to improve officer wellness and expand mental
health resources to law enforcement agencies in the State of California. Funds from the
grant will be used to expand the existing officer wellness units and the Department’s
Peer Support group.
Discussion
The Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant Program was recently established in the
2022 Budget Act (Assembly Bill 178, Chapter 45, Statutes of 2022), and provides $50
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million to city and county law enforcement agencies for the purpose of improving officer
wellness and expanding mental health sources. The allocation of funds was determined
by the number of officers described in Penal Code section 830.1. The grant program
provides funding for:
• Establishing officer wellness units or expanding existing officer wellness units.
• Establishing peer support units or expanding peer support units
• Services provided by a licensed mental health professional, counselor, or other
professional that works with law enforcement.
• Expanding multiagency mutual aid programs focused on officer wellness and
mental health.
• Other programs or services that are evidence based or have a successful track
record of enhancing officer wellness.
The Santa Monica Police Department has one of the oldest and most progressive Peer
Support Teams in the state. The program is over 25 years old and is made up of
personnel from a variety of ranks both sworn and civilian performing this role collaterally
to their day-to-day duties. This program allows personnel to speak with Peer Team
members in a supportive and confidential setting to help them through traumas and
stressors they may be experiencing. Peer Supporters respond to traumatic scenes in
the field, follow up with our personnel in the station, and check in on personnel who are
away from work due to injuries or administrative leaves. The Peer Supporters can also
coordinate services from licensed professionals such as psychologists and therapists.
The Peer Support Team hosts group stress debriefs facilitated by licensed professionals
after large scale traumatic incidents. There is confidential billing program in place that
allows personnel complete confidentiality in seeing a licensed professional. This
program is an effective way of encouraging personnel to seek help and support,
especially for those who may be reluctant to seek help, because it is done in a manner
that is truly confidential. There has been a significant increase in services being utilized
since year 2020 from both the Peer Team and licensed professionals. The Peer Support
Team membership was increased by 20% staffing in years 2020/2021.
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Environmental Review
Acceptance of the grant is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA
Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty
that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on
the environment.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to accept a grant from the California Board of State and
Community Corrections. If renewals are awarded, budget changes will be included in
subsequent year budgets, contingent on Council budget approval.
FY 2022-23 Grant Budget Changes
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number(s) Amount Account Number(s) Amount
20180001.405930 $141,118.62 20180001.556630 $141,118.62
Total $141,118.62 Total $141,118.62
Prepared By: Jose Arroyo, Senior Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
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