Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $653K to Support First Responders’ Health and Well-Being After Traumatic Events

Braintree — As part of a continued commitment to support the health and well-being of emergency first responders, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 12 Massachusetts law enforcement agencies will receive grants through the Commonwealth Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program.

Now in its second year, the grant program assists municipal police departments and their partner agencies as they deliver services to police officers and other first responders in the wake of traumatic incidents. The program is managed and administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), an agency under the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).

This year, 12 police departments were awarded a total of $652,950.68. Many of the departments have partnered with other area departments or regional law enforcement councils to extend services to members of additional public safety agencies in their area. The program invests in crisis intervention, counseling, training, and other essential services to aid and assist law enforcement after they respond to a traumatic event.

“This program offers vital, life-saving services to the first responders who protect our communities. We owe it to every emergency responder to ensure they have access to appropriate services after experiencing trauma in the line of duty,” said Governor Maura Healey.

“Police officers put their lives on the line to protect members of our communities. Critical incident stress management programs, like those funded through these grants, provide first responders with vital peer counseling and other mental health services,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.

“We depend on our emergency responders to bravely run toward danger when others are running away. It is imperative they have our full support in the aftermath of experiencing a traumatic event,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy. “Our investment in essential stress management services reflects our deep commitment to the health and safety of our police officers, their families, and the communities that they protect and serve across Massachusetts.”

“The effects of post-traumatic stress are well documented, but services for our first responders are less widely known. The resources provided through this grant program supports crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and other services for members of law enforcement in the aftermath of a traumatic event. This program invests in the well-being of officers and, by extension, the communities they serve,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton.

The following agencies received FY24 CISM grant funding:

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