Beaver County commissioners voted to accept a first‑responder mental health grant and to have the county accept the memorandum of agreement (MOU) and manage the grant administration.

A county presenter described the grant as a one‑time, one‑year award intended to provide mental‑health screening and treatment options for first responders and allied staff. The presenter said the county applied to cover multidisciplinary teams in two county teams and estimated about 40 people across the teams could qualify for services. “It’s a 1‑year grant,” the presenter said; she also noted she had applied for a larger amount because the county could not reapply every year.

The presenter said potential service providers considered include First Responders First, which she described as a network that contracts with specialized clinicians experienced in treating first responders. The presenter said the county intends to follow the grant terms, complete quarterly reporting and retain records; she said grant administrators had told the county to keep records for five years and that unspent funds could be returned to the granting agency if required.

Commission discussion covered whether the funds could be carried forward, how the county would contract for services, administrative costs and the need to offer a range of clinicians so long‑time responders are comfortable seeking care. Commissioner discussion included concerns that requiring long‑tenured personnel to “unpack” decades of trauma in a single year could cause distress and that sustained funding would be preferable.

A motion to accept the funds and the MOU was moved, seconded and approved. Staff noted the award amount recorded in the meeting was $198,700 and that the county would manage contracts, quarterly reports and the required recordkeeping.

The county will deposit and track grant revenue in its budget and follow the grant’s allowable uses. Staff said they will seek to allow employees to continue with existing clinicians when feasible by contracting through a chosen service network or agency.