Utah Department of Public Safety

First Responder Mental Health Resources Grant

What is it?

The Department of Public Safety has formed a Mental Health Resources for First Responders
Grant Funding Committee composed of individuals representing various organizations throughout
the first responder community.

The committee shall assist the department in reviewing applications and recommending grant award amounts to first responder agencies under the new Utah Code §53-21-103.

Please be aware that time is of the essence in submitting applications.

The committee will start meeting quarterly to review and award funding, beginning during the fourth quarter of the calendar year 2022. Also, note all grants are limited to one-time funding.

Grant application guidelines:

• First responder agencies or a group of first responder agencies may jointly apply for grant funding to provide mental health resources for first responders. If a group of agencies applies:
  • The group of agencies shall designate one first responder agency as the lead agency.
  • The lead agency shall:
    • take responsibility for applying for grant funding on behalf of the group of first responder agencies;
    • provide oversight of the mental health resources program for the group of agencies; and
    • provide a quarterly report for all agencies to the committee.

• If establishing a new program or expanding an existing program, the applicant will need to provide details of how the proposed plan will offer or expand mental health resources to first responders. Please indicate how the proposal will require mental health providers contracted or employed by the first responder agency to have training and experience in working with first responders and how the proposal will provide, at a minimum, the following services as required under §53-21-103(2):
  • regular periodic screenings for all employees within the first responder agency;
  • assessments and availability of mental health services for personnel directly involved in a critical incident within 12 hours of the incident; and access to the mental health program for:
    • spouses and children of first responders; and
    • first responders who have retired from the agency.

• Agency accountability is requested quarterly and includes that an agency does the following:
  • maintain records for five years sufficient to show how the funding is used;
  • cooperate with the committee if and when the committee determines it is necessary to audit agency records or evaluate the use of the funding; and
  • provide a quarterly report to the committee that includes:
    • the amount of the grant funding;
    • the amount of grant funding expended by the agency and the purpose for which the grant funding was spent;
    • the amount of the grant funding not yet expended;
    • the number of first responders, family members, and retired first responders served; and
    • the types of services provided.

How to Apply

Regarding the above guidelines, please answer the questions in the application link.

Supporting documentation may be sent to mentalhealthgrant@utah.gov in addition to any
questions you may have.