To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Tyler Brown, Sheriff
Prepared By:
prepared
Kevin Heaton, Captain, Patrol Services, Sheriff’s Office
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presenter
Presenter:
Kevin Heaton, Captain, Patrol Services; Julie Jacobs, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Sheriff’s Office
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Subject:
title
1:00 PM *Grant Opportunity: De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this request is for the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to consider approving the electronic submission of a grant application to the Bureau of Justice to assist with the funding of 40 hour CIT trainings that serve Sheriff’s Office staff but also neighboring departments and to purchase virtual reality (VR) training equipment to help supplement ongoing de-escalation training.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Safe and Healthy Communities - Expand mental and behavioral health service partnerships, crisis response, and co-responder programs.
Background and Discussion: The Sheriff’s Office wishes to apply for a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide funding for additional Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) technology to supplement CIT course work. In October 2023, the Sheriff’s Office was awarded this same DOJ grant in the amount of $344,882.00 which ends in September 2026.
Since its inception in 2020, the Co-Responder Program has responded to over 13,880 calls for service. The growing mental health crisis in the Country and specifically the State of Colorado has placed increasing demand on deputies to be trained in mental health awareness. The ability to improve our response to individuals in a mental health crisis and direct the appropriate resources to the citizens is therefore crucial and aligns with Arapahoe County’s goal to improve individuals’ Quality of Life.
The addition of VR training in de-escalation would allow the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office to provide on-going training in a safe, realistic and interactive environment. VR technology enhances deputies / co-responders’ response to individuals in a crisis who have behavioral health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries. The estimated cost of VR training program for three years is $145,000.00. This includes the cost of the equipment, system updates and warranty for the duration of the grant.
The grant will also help fund CIT 40-hour basic training courses, as well as clinical supervision for co-responders, outside instructors, and overtime for coaches. Twelve CIT courses and clinical supervisor over 36 months = $121,014.
Attendance at the annual CIT and Co-Responder conferences cost an estimated $2,000 per person, including registration fees, travel and hotel accommodation. Sending four people per conference each year = $58,176.
The Sheriff’s Office is committed to continuing to provide mental health and behavioral health services to the community it serves. Our goal is to enhance our response efforts, ensure citizens receive high-quality services, and remain aligned with the current best practices in the co-response model.
While ACSO will not partner directly with any external departments for this grant, our CIT classes are offered and attended by multiple neighboring law enforcement agencies.
The deadline to apply for this grant is May 27, 2026. The grant period lasts 36 months.
Alternatives: The Board could decline to move forward with this request as presented or determine another amount.
Fiscal Impact: If approved as presented, the fiscal impact to Arapahoe County will be a small amount of staff time to submit the grant application and $324,190 in grant funds received if the application is successful.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Sheriff’s Office Administration Supports this grant application
Concurrence: N/A