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Committee approves $400,000 ARPA boost for mental‑health co‑response training to expand 'train‑the‑trainer' capacity
Summary
The committee approved a $400,000 ARPA-funded amendment to expand mental‑health co‑response training (train‑the‑trainer model) for police and fire, aiming to certify local trainers and deliver broader training to DPD/DFD personnel.
The Public Health & Safety Committee approved contract amendment 6005660 (Cornell Group 2 LLC) to increase ARPA funding by $400,000 for expanded mental-health core response training. Officials said the amendment covers two train‑the‑trainer courses and broader sessions intended to train roughly 60 trainers and up to about 680 participants from Detroit Police Department and Detroit Fire Department.
Valencia Lyle, director of behavioral health initiatives with the mayor’s office, described the plan as a sustainability model: trainers certified during the ARPA-funded program would continue training colleagues after federal funds expire. Committee members asked how the program would be sustained once ARPA funding ends; staff said the train‑the‑trainer approach is intended to allow the city and public safety agencies to continue classes internally.
Council members pressed for performance tracking. One member asked whether any recent officer-involved deaths involved the co-response unit; Lieutenant James Domini (DPD) said the mental‑health co‑response team was not involved in the officer-involved deaths referenced in the meeting. Members emphasized the importance of follow-up reporting to ensure the training yields measurable changes in response outcomes.
The committee approved 6.8 by voice vote and will send it to formal for final passage.
Ending: Committee asked staff to provide ongoing updates and to pursue sustainable funding options beyond ARPA, including state public-safety funds where appropriate.
