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
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:
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- 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
Application/Nomination Criteria
Contest Details
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
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.
Interested in applying for the First Responder Community Impact Award?
We invite you to submit an application below!