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Chambers County funds first‑responder mental‑health and wellness program with $27,000 contract
Summary
The county approved a $27,000 agreement with Brave Line Counseling Consulting to provide mental‑health training, consulting and peer‑support services for first responders, jailers and dispatchers after a presentation by Reagan McCaulay, a former county EMT who cited high rates of depression and suicide risk among first responders.
Chambers County Commissioners voted March 10 to allocate $27,000 to Brave Line Counseling Consulting for a first‑responder mental‑health and wellness program to serve law enforcement, EMS, dispatchers, jail staff and other emergency personnel.
County staff introduced the contract as a program to provide consulting, culturally competent therapy referrals, training and peer‑support services. Reagan McCaulay, a former Chambers County EMT who addressed the court, said first responders face elevated risks of depression and suicide and often lack access to culturally competent providers. "Over 77% of first responders report symptoms of depression," McCaulay said, arguing the program would make support easier to access and more acceptable to responders who otherwise avoid care.
Commissioners discussed the scope of coverage and whether elected justices of the peace (who respond to scenes) would be included; staff said the program could be amended to explicitly include JPs. A motion to approve the agreement (mover: Commissioner Dagley; second: Commissioner Ty) carried on the floor; the court recorded the motion and a verbal affirmative but did not read a roll‑call tally in the transcript.
Why it matters: county first responders regularly encounter traumatic incidents; commissioners framed this as an investment in employee wellness and public‑safety resilience.
What’s next: staff will finalize scope language to ensure participants (including jailers, dispatchers and elected JPs who assist on scenes) are covered, and county communications will push program access information to eligible staff and agencies.
