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Douglas County funds countywide mental-health/wellness assessment for law enforcement and first responders
Summary
Commissioners agreed to fund a countywide mental-health and wellness assessment covering sworn and civilian staff across multiple agencies, with staff estimating full coverage of roughly 460 people would cost about $85,100 as a one-time allocation.
Douglas County commissioners approved one-time funding to support a mental-health and wellness assessment for county law enforcement and first responders, after hearing from agency representatives and staff about scope and cost.
Katie Fitzhugh, criminal justice coordinator, explained the request reflected a joint submission from multiple local law-enforcement executives and would include sworn officers, corrections staff and dispatch. Commissioners emphasized that first-responder wellness aligns with MFAF exhibit language allowing provision of wellness and support services for first responders.
Staff estimated an all-agency assessment covering an estimated 460 staff would cost about $85,100. Commissioners expressed broad support for fully funding the assessment as a one-time expenditure to address workforce trauma and burnout; one commissioner suggested funding at a higher level if needed. The commission included the assessment in the consolidated funding motion and asked staff to coordinate implementation and possible cost-sharing with participating agencies.
Next steps: staff to finalize scope, vendor selection process and any required MOUs with participating agencies.
