Alabama interim study commission seeks centralized list of PTSD services, urges wider use of peer-support programs

Members of the Joint Interim Study Commission on PTSD and First Responders on Oct. 25 heard testimony and staff recommendations aimed at making mental‑health services and peer‑support programs more visible and easier to access for law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders across Alabama.

The commission chair instructed the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) and the fiscal office to gather information on existing programs, outline funding options and return with recommendations within a week or two. Commissioners and outside presenters urged improved communication about existing supports, broader use of peer programs and attention to stigma and workforce re‑entry for first responders who cannot return to their former duties because of PTSD.

Commission staff reported initial survey results showing that "55 of our 67 counties participate in our local government health insurance plan that provides some mental health resources at no cost to the participant," a point offered to illustrate that many resources already exist but are not widely known (Miss Wadden, speaking for Commissioner Boswell). LSA staff and outside presenters recommended building on existing regional crisis centers and programs rather than concentrating services at a single physical location.

Pete Grogan of LSA suggested using regional crisis centers operated by the Department of Mental Health so a person in North Alabama would not have to travel to Montgomery to access care. Grogan said starting with peer support and escalating to crisis centers when peer support cannot resolve the need would be a cost‑effective model.

Speakers from training and peer‑support organizations described existing programs and how they operate. Director Matt Russell said the Alabama Fire College has trained hundreds of firefighters in peer support since 2018. Jason Smith, director of the Veterans Program Development at Florida Springs Wellness and Recovery Center, and Alan Hendrickson, a Dothan police officer and Struggle Well program instructor affiliated with Bouldercrest Foundation, described programs that include one‑day and multi‑day options for supervisors, officers and spouses. Hendrickson said Struggle Well has been taught to corrections, police, dispatch, administration and spouses and that Bouldercrest supplies participant materials and an app.

Jason Smith described stigma and workforce loss among veterans and first responders: "When you ask what's the number one enemy right now, it's not Hezbollah, the Taliban, or Al Qaeda, it's stigma," he said, and urged written policy clarifying reporting and fitness standards before major funding decisions are made. Smith also cited national service and suicide numbers to explain the scale of the problem as part of his testimony.

Several witnesses emphasized peer support programs such as LEAPS (law enforcement peer support) and crisis intervention training (CIT). Johnny Hollingsworth, who administers CIT, was noted by multiple speakers as coordinating regional train‑the‑trainer efforts that could be scaled with additional funding, though Hollingsworth did not provide a formal funding request during the session.

Professional Firefighters of Alabama president David Hare urged the commission to include dispatchers in planning, noting that dispatchers also experience repeated exposure to traumatic events. He suggested a dedicated line item or ongoing funding to ensure training continues regardless of leadership changes at the fire college.

Chair direction and next steps were procedural rather than legislative. The chair asked the Department of Mental Health to compile, validate and centralize a list of programs so first responders and employers can find resources promptly. The chair also asked LSA and the fiscal office to analyze what funding would be needed to expand or coordinate programs and to report back to the commission. The chair noted a draft bill in the meeting packet that would provide seed funding for retraining first responders who cannot return to frontline duties; the commission did not vote on that bill during this session.

The commission concluded with agreement to reconvene after the requested information is collected. A procedural motion to adjourn carried by voice vote.

Ending

The commission did not adopt new statutes or appropriate funds at the meeting. The next substantive step is the Department of Mental Health, LSA and the fiscal office returning to the commission with a compiled, validated inventory of programs, suggested mechanisms for centralizing access (including discussion of the Connect Alabama app and CCBHCs) and cost estimates so commissioners can consider specific funding or legislative recommendations.