This press release is republished with permission from the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
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The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is proud to announce the official
launch of the Texas Blue Chip Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at offering law enforcement officers an additional access point for confidential and free mental health services in collaboration with the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN). In response to events such as the May 2023 shootings in Allen, the Texas Blue Chip Program is now operational for police officers across the Dallas-Fort Worth and greater North Texas region.
The Texas Blue Chip Program introduces specially designed poker chips that are accessible at police stations throughout the region and virtually on the TLEPN app. These chips grant an officer access to discreet and confidential counseling sessions with selected mental health providers who are supported by the program through generous funding from Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) via CFT’s Support for Allen Fund.
The Meadows Institute drew on the expertise of Chief Will Johnson, who chairs the Police Professional Standards, Ethics, and Images Commitee at the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The result is an adaptable program based on the successful Blue Chip initiative originally introduced by Chief Johnson during his leadership tenure at the Arlington Police Department.
According to B.J. Wagner, senior vice president of health and public safety at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, “While officers may have avenues for private mental health care through insurance or peer networks, many still hesitate to seek help, even in the aftermath of traumatic incidents. The Texas Blue Chip Program offers an additional anonymous channel through which officers can obtain assistance on their own terms.”
Antcipated to extend its reach statewide, the Texas Blue Chip Program stands as a vital support system for law enforcement personnel during the most challenging junctures of their careers.
Jeff Spivey, execuctive director of the Caruth Police Institute at The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) and Chair of the IACP Officer Safety and Wellness Section emphasizes, “Whether confronting extreme weather events, mass shootings, fatal traffic incidents, or the chronicity of day-to-day police work, the Texas Blue Chip Program is designed to provide support precisely when officers need it the most. Neglecting to address the repercussions of these experiences can lead to unmanaged stressors, contributing to heightened risks of post-traumaic stress, substance abuse, and suicide. It is our duty to offer resources and support to those who dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.”
“Hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses donated to support CFT’s Support for Allen Fund in the wake of the recent tragic shooting at Allen Premium Outlets. We know that law enforcement officers are deeply affected by both short-term and long-term trauma following a mass shooting event, and we knew that some of the dollars raised through our Support for Allen Fund should be earmarked to support those who were on the frontline as they process and heal from what they experienced,” said Wende Burton, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Communities Foundation of Texas.
“We are grateful to the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network for providing a safe and confidential way for our local frontline responders and their families to access the mental health support services they need.”
The urgency of this program is underscored by the distressing statistic that Texas recorded the highest number of law enforcement officer suicides in 2022, with a total of 16 lives lost.
About the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute:
Launched in 2014, the Meadows Institute helps Texas legislators, state officials, members of the judiciary, and local, state, and national leaders identify equitable systemic solutions to mental health needs and has become Texas’ most trusted source for data-driven mental health policy. The Meadows Institute is making a significant impact in multiple areas, helping Texas and national leaders shift the focus of new investments toward early intervention, addressing the mental health crisis in our jails and emergency rooms, and helping all people with mental health needs recover and be well.
About the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network:
Established in 2022 by the UNT Dallas Caruth Police Institute, the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network stands as a trailblazing, state-funded statewide peer support initiative accessible around the clock to all law enforcement officers in Texas. This confidential and anonymous network seamlessly connects officers with trained peers equipped to assist with managing stress, trauma, fatigue, and various other challenges. The overarching goal is to tackle workforce burnout, self-harm, and suicide head-on, ensuring the holistic well-being of those who commit themselves to safeguarding our communities.
About Communities Foundation of Texas:
The mission of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) is to improve the lives of all people in our community by investing in their health, wealth, living, and learning. CFT works to accomplish this by growing community giving, expanding community impact, and advancing community equity. With a vision of building thriving communities for all, CFT works locally and across the state with many individuals, families, companies, foundations, and nonprofits through a variety of charitable funds and strategic grantmaking initiatives.
CFT professionally manages more than 1,200 charitable funds and has awarded more than $2.5 billion in grants since its founding in 1953. CFT is committed to serving and understanding donor needs, expertly handling complex gifts, wisely managing charitable funds, and leveraging its community knowledge to increase charitable impact, in addition to powering several initiaves including the W. W. Caruth, Jr. Fund at CFT, CFT for Business, Educate Texas at CFT, Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy at CFT, GiveWisely, and CFT’s North Texas Giving Day. CFT’s North Texas Giving Day raised over $62 million on a single day in 2022 to help over 3,200 North Texas nonprofits.
