Mental Health Resources Grant
Supporting Our First Responders
About the Mental Health Resources Grant
First Responder Mental Health Resources Grant funds are available for Utah First Responder Agencies to provide or improve mental health resources for First Responders under Utah Code §53-21-103 through the Department of Public Safety. This grant is a one-time opportunity to be utilized within one year.
This grant opportunity is open until state funds are expended.
Required Resources
1. Regular periodic screenings for all employees within the first responder agency;
2. Assessments and availability to mental health services for: Personnel directly involved in a critical incident within 48 hours of the incident; and Outpatient mental health treatment provided by a mental health therapist; and
3. Peer support resources provided by qualified peer support specialists.
Funding cannot be used to supplant or replace funding for an existing program. These funds are to be used during one year, and sustainability of the proposed plan in future years will be considered.
All access and services will be kept confidential.
Grant Application Guidelines
The application requires the following information.
Description of proposed program and/or expansion, including:
- Description of services to be provided with grant funds;
- Budget: cost of proposed program with breakdown of expenses;
- Expected number of first responders, spouses and children, and retirees or separated first responders to be served with the new resources;
- Explanation of how the proposed program will ensure timely and effective mental health resource and its expected impact; and Sustainability of this program after grant funding is expended.
For those with existing mental health programs:
- Description of current program and costs;
- Number of first responders currently served, and
- How the new resources will be in addition to the existing
This grant opportunity is open until state funds are expended.
Other Considerations
Preserving records: Agencies will maintain records for five years sufficient to show how the funding is used.
Quarterly reports will be required, which include:
- The types of services provided;
- The number of first responders, family members, and retired first responders served; and
- The amount of grant funding expended
Application Review Process
First Responder
Mental Health Services Grant
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions about the First Responders Mental Health Resources Grant? The following section will provide additional details on topics such as:
Who is considered a first responder:
- A law enforcement officer
- An emergency medical technician,
- An advanced emergency medical technician,
- A paramedic,
- A firefighter,
- A dispatcher,
- A correctional officer,
- A special function officer employed by a local sheriff,
- A search and rescue worker under the supervision of a local sheriff;
- A forensic interviewer or victim advocate employed by a children's justice center;
- A credentialed criminal justice system victim advocate who responds to incidents with a law enforcement officer;
- A crime scene investigator technician;
- A wildland firefighter; or
- A investigator or prosecutor of cases involving sexual crimes against children.
- A civilian employee who has been authorized to view or access information concerning crimes, accidents, or other traumatic events
We already have a mental health program in place. How can we utilize this grant:
Funding can be used to expand your current program to meet legislative requirements:
- Reach families and retirees not previously covered in current program
- Offer resources not currently available to your first responders
- Try a new program component to compliment what your currently offering
- Technology for mental health
- Mandatory wellness checks
What is not allowable for the grant:
- Items not directly related to the intent of the grant, which is to provide screening, mental health resources, and peer support for first responders, retirees, and families.
- Examples of unallowable items: fidget spinners, exercise equipment, travel expenses for a mental health conference, get-togethers, K-9 dogs, facilities, sound proofing, retreats, meals, gatherings or celebrations, incentives,
What reporting will be required:
- A quarterly report will be due by the 20th day after the quarter’s end
- April 20th
- July 20th
- October 20th
- January 20th
- Reporting is required until grant funds are fully expended
- Reporting will include performance measures, such as
- Number of first responders impacted by funds that quarter
- Number of retirees and/or family members impacted