First Responder Community Impact Award

2025 Winner Announced!

First Responder Community Impact Award - Broward County Sheriff's

Congratulations to Broward County Sheriff's Office!

We want to extend our sincere thanks to every agency that participated in this year’s Community Impact Award. Each nominee is doing meaningful, often life-changing work to support mental health in their community. The strength of these submissions made this year’s decision especially difficult for both the public and our judging committee.

We are proud to announce the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) as the winner of the 2025 First Responder Community Impact Award. After receiving the highest number of public votes and the support of our judging committee, BSO was recognized for its exceptional commitment to strengthening community mental health.

BSO continues to set the standard for compassionate crisis response through its extensive Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, ensuring deputies and 9-1-1 communications operators are equipped to identify and safely de-escalate mental health–related emergencies.

Their Co-Responder Program pairs licensed behavioral health clinicians with CIT-trained deputies to respond together to individuals in crisis. This approach has led to fewer arrests, increased mental health referrals, reduced repeat encounters, and zero use-of-force incidents, demonstrating the effectiveness of pairing law enforcement with clinical expertise.

BSO’s Behavioral Health Licensed Therapist Program, housed within the Threat Management Unit, also plays a vital role in preventing acts of violence and connecting individuals to appropriate care. With more than 2,500 cases handled and over 40% of individuals linked to ongoing services, the program is making a meaningful, measurable impact.

We congratulate the Broward Sheriff’s Office for its leadership, innovation, and dedication to improving mental health outcomes in Broward County. FHE Health and the Shatterproof Program are honored to support their continued efforts and celebrate the difference they are making in their community.

The Community Impact Award honors one first responder agency or department nationwide for the positive mental health difference that they are making in their community.

Today’s first responders — police, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and corrections officers — are on the frontlines of a national mental health epidemic. Whether they’re responding to an active shooter, administering Narcan to reverse an overdose, or conducting a suicide intervention in a prison cell, first responders regularly contend with the reality of mental health as it impacts their community.

What many may not know is that this challenge has inspired some creative and impactful approaches to mental illness and addiction from agencies and departments across the country. The Community Impact Award exists to advance these efforts, by shining a light on initiatives and programs that are making a difference and the people who are part of them. This award is about telling those inspirational stories and sharing what is working, with the goals of:

raising public awareness about the mental health epidemic as it affects the local community
increasing support for and involvement in community mental health initiatives and programs
supporting and encouraging first responder efforts to address community mental health needs in creative and intentional ways

One agency or department nationwide will be awarded $4,000 to further invest in a first responder initiative or program that is making a mental health difference in their community.

An invitation from retired police commander and former Army paratrooper Patrick Fitzgibbons, MBA, MS, MA, who is Program Lead in our Shatterproof FHE Health program for first responders

2025 Contestants

Apply now to be added to the roster!

The Broward Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Response Team

Broward County, Florida

provides follow-up services to individuals facing mental health challenges and ensures they and their families receive appropriate resources, guidance, and long-term care options
in 2024, reported 329 assigned Baker Act cases for their follow-up and authored 11 Risk Protection Orders
works with District Criminal Investigations to follow up on select cases and assists with patrols, HOA (Homeowners Association) meetings and CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) reports
was honored with the Grand Cordon Unit Award for its achievements

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

Stafford County, Virginia

partners with the community initiative, Stafford R.I.S.E. (“Rebuilding Independence Through Support and Empowerment”), to support unhoused residents and resource mental health and substance use needs
The Sheriff’s Office provides a community hub of mental health and other resources and connects individuals to these services
Stafford Fire & Rescue’s “Wellness on Wheels” conducts health screenings, connects individuals to mental health providers, and helps with Medicaid enrollment
Provides these services to vulnerable residents in the Fredericksburg and Stafford County area, helping more individuals access the help they need to become independent

Boca Raton Police Services Department Threat Assessment & Risk Protection (TARP) Unit

Boca Raton, Florida

focuses on early intervention in mental health crises through a dedicated team that includes a Mental Health Clinician, Victim Advocate, and Juvenile Specialist
in 2024, issued 20 Risk Protection Orders, reviewed 310 mental health and substance use cases, and achieved diversion outcomes in over 70% of cases
provides holistic case management, reducing repeat mental health calls and increasing voluntary treatment compliance
trains officers and presents at threat management conferences, offering a replicable model for small agencies integrating threat mitigation with mental health response

St. Petersburg Police Department’s CALL

St. Petersburg, Florida (Tampa Bay region)

launched in 2021 in partnership with Gulf Coast JFCS to divert non-violent, non-criminal 911 calls related to mental health, substance use, homelessness, and youth behavior
dispatches pairs of crisis navigators who provide de-escalation, resource connection, and follow-up care instead of a police response
engages with nearly 5,000 community members annually, with more than 95% of contacts resolved without law enforcement involvement
available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., with a 24/7 support line for clients, contributing to a decline in involuntary hospitalizations and easing the burden on emergency services

Leon County Sheriff’s Office Mental Health Unit (MHU)

Leon County, Florida

pairs crisis-trained deputies with licensed mental health professionals from the Apalachee Center to respond to mental health and substance use–related crises
formed in 2021 to ensure individuals in crisis receive the most appropriate level of care—whether emergency hospitalization or connection to outpatient and community services
includes one licensed therapist and two master’s-level counselors who respond alongside deputies on mental health calls
provides client-centered, trauma-informed care that emphasizes autonomy, rapport-building, and trust, resulting in individuals reaching out directly to MHU rather than calling 911
has successfully reduced repeat mental health calls through routine follow-ups and personalized resource connections, improving access to ongoing community-based support

This award is a continuation of our Community Impact Award that debuted last year and spotlighted individuals making a mental health difference in their communities. (Read more on FHE Health's 2024 Community Impact Award and Winner Roz Pichardo.) This year we are spotlighting first responder agencies and departments that are making a mental health difference in their communities.

Why Participate?

Participating agencies/departments will receive the following:

free publicity, both locally and nationwide, including:
- a customized press release announcing their nomination, for use with local media and in the news/press section of their website
- greater public recognition, through participation in an open and secure vote for 10 finalists and a winner (hosted on the FHE Health website)
a chance to receive $4,000 in support of a first responder initiative or program that is making a mental health difference in their community

The Award

The winning agency/department will receive:

- a $4000 check to further a first responder initiative or program that's making a mental health difference in their community
- a national press release that announces their news and spotlights their good work
- at least two blogs with a reach of more than 100,000 people on social media
- winner and finalist badges for placement on their website or blog

How to Apply

To apply or to nominate an agency or department, you must submit the below application form, including a short description — tell the story! — of how the agency/department has been making a positive mental health impact in its community.

Anyone can apply on behalf of their agency or department, by submitting the below application.

Any member of the public can nominate an agency/department of their choosing, by submitting the same application (below).

Application/Nomination Criteria

Who is eligible for this award?

Any first responder agency or department that is doing mental health-related work in their community is eligible for this award. Eligible “first responders” include police, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and corrections officers.

Application/Nomination Requirements

Any first responder agency or department can apply or be nominated for this award if they fulfill one or more of the below criteria:

have a mental health-informed initiative or program that seeks to improve first responses to emergencies; some examples might be a co-responder program or a crisis intervention team
have an initiative or program that is addressing the mental health and/or overdose and addiction epidemic; examples might be a mental health outreach service, school-based or community trainings in mental health and substance abuse, or harm reduction initiatives like distributing Narcan
have an initiative or program that is working to improve the mental health of the community through services and training; examples might be a mobile crisis unit that deploys EMTs alongside mental health professionals to provide mental health and other health services or a community paramedicine program that provides home health visits by paramedics trained in mental health
have an initiative or program that is helping a community rebuild in the aftermath of disaster; an example might be trainings in trauma recovery and resilience
one or more members is very active in community service, and both their level of involvement and the cause speak to the positive impact of their service on the overall wellbeing of the community; an example might be volunteering with an inner-city sports league that is improving young people’s self-esteem, relationships, and mind-body health, and keeping them off the streets

Unsure Whether a Program/Initiative Meets the Requirements?

If in doubt about whether an initiative or program meets the above criteria, consider evaluating whether its primary focus is more “external” (concerned first with the community and community mental health and wellbeing) or “internal” (a peer support program that is concerned first with first responders and first responder mental health). If the focus of the program/initiative is largely external, we hope you’ll apply.

If the focus of the program/initiative is more internal (concerned first with the mental health of first responders such as a peer support program), thank you for your good work! Though it does not meet the application/nomination requirements of this award, here are two ways that we are providing support in this area and would love to support you:

Shatterproof at FHE Health – Our specialized treatment program for first responders, Shatterproof at FHE Health, is nationally recognized for its excellence in care and regularly resources peer support teams around the country with trusted information about the latest innovations and best practices for mental health issues affecting first responders. For more information about our Shatterproof program or treatment resources for your department, email us: FRCIA@fhehealth.com.
First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award – As part of our commitment to first responder mental health, we are campaigning for more first responder therapy dogs nationwide and have helped a growing number of agencies and departments to train and acquire therapy dogs. This award recognizes therapy dogs that are making significant contributions to first responder mental health or embodying similar ideals of public service. If you or your agency/department has a favorite therapy dog or two, we invite you to apply for one of the multiple awards that we are offering here!

Contest Details

The Selection Process

Applications will be vetted by a small committee from FHE Health to ensure they meet the application requirements mentioned above and can proceed to the next phase of the process: an open public vote.

After 10 finalists have been determined by public vote, a small committee from FHE Health, including experts from our Shatterproof at FHE Health program, will choose which agency/department will receive the Community Impact Award.

A Note About the Voting Process

“Contestants” (in this case, applying/nominated agencies or departments) will have a profile that includes the name of their agency/department and brief highlights from their application.

Anyone who wishes to vote can vote by clicking on the profile of the agency/department that they wish to support.

Everyone is allowed one vote. Your email address is required to vote but will not be retained or used to contact you for any other purpose.

We are careful to ensure a fair and accurate vote count, by taking measures to prevent vote tampering and manipulation (such as multiple or spammy emails) and implementing a stringent system that protects the integrity of the process.

Contest Timeline and Key Deadlines

April 15 – Application period opens
Oct. 27 – Application period ends
Oct. 29 – Nov. 9 Voting period
Nov. 11 – Announcement of 10 finalists
Nov. 14 – Announcement of winner
Nov. 17 – Press release re: winner
Nov. 21 - Feature blog re: winner

Non-Discrimination Policy Disclaimer

FHE Health does not discriminate on any basis, whether by age, race, sex, religion, disability status or sexual orientation. All qualified applicants are given equal consideration and are assessed strictly based on the strength of their application and essay. It is at the sole discretion of our team to select the dog we feel is most deserving of this award. By applying for the Community Impact Award, you agree to FHE Health’s privacy policy and disclaimer.

About Shatterproof FHE Health

The national behavioral health provider, FHE Health, has been serving adults (ages 18 and up) with mental health and substance use needs for more than 20 years. From its headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida, our state-of-the-art facility serves men and women from around the country with integrated care, specialized treatment programs, and evidence-based therapies and innovations.

FHE’s specialized treatment program “Shatterproof FHE Health” is nationally recognized for its work with veterans and first responders, many of whom achieve quicker, more comprehensive recoveries through our intensive trauma therapies, neuroscience-based treatments, and peer support groups. To learn more about Shatterproof FHE Health, we invite you to learn what sets it apart.

How to Reach Our Team

We are not able to take or return phone calls. However, this page contains all the information necessary to apply for the First Responder Community Impact Award. If you have a question, you may email us at marketing@fhehealth.com, and one of our team will respond when able.