Existing law establishes the Board of State and Community Corrections and charges the board with providing the statewide leadership, coordination, and technical assistance to promote effective state and local efforts and partnerships in California's adult and juvenile criminal justice system. Under existing law, the board administers several grant programs.
This bill, upon appropriation of funds, would establish the Officer Wellness and Mental Health Grant Program within the Board of State and Community Corrections for the purpose of improving officer wellness and expanding mental health resources and suicide prevention. The bill would require the board to award grants to eligible local law enforcement agencies and local peace officer associations. The bill would require program funds to be used for one or more specified purposes, including the establishment of officer wellness and peer support units and the hiring and retention of licensed mental health professionals.