The California Board of State and Community Corrections Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant Program, established in the 2022 Budget Act (Assembly Bill 178, Chapter 45, Statutes of 2022), provides $50 million for city and county law enforcement agencies for improving officer wellness and expanding mental health resources. 

The funding distribution included the allocation of funds to 394 agencies throughout the State of California.  Law enforcement agencies received a portion of the funds based on the number of eligible Peace Officers, with the Garden Grove Police Department eligible to receive $122,162.38.

These funds are designed to improve officer wellness and expand mental health resources.  Per the statute, the funding may be used for any of the following purposes:

•  Establishing or expanding officer wellness units;
•  Establishing 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; and/or
•  Other programs and services that are evidence-based or have a successful track record of enhancing officer wellness.

The total appropriation for the grant period (July 1, 2022 to December 1, 2025) is approximately $122,162.38.  There is neither cost nor income to the City based upon participation in this grant and there will be no fiscal impact to the General Fund. Supplanting is strictly prohibited for all BSCC grant funds.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Accept the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant Funds in the amount of $122,162.38; and
• Appropriate these funds to the Police Department’s FY2023-25 budget.

By: Lieutenant Vincente Vaicaro