The city of hot springs, arkansas, through its police department, is requesting $200,000 from the U.S. Department of justice to expand and strengthen its existing officer wellness program

The U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Program awarded the City of Hot Springs, Arkansas $200,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (CFDA 16.070) to expand and strengthen its officer wellness program.

The City will implement the Wellness Outreach Initiative, designed to enhance officer well-being, mental health resilience, and peer support within the Hot Springs Police Department. Grant-funded activities include multi-level peer support training, 24/7 access to a confidential wellness app, contracted trauma-informed clinical care, wellness outreach materials, and officer participation in regional and national wellness programs. The project builds upon an existing framework of part-time clinical services and informal peer support to develop a department-wide wellness culture that improves retention, job performance, and community safety.

Performance runs through September 30, 2027, at Hot Springs, Arkansas. The award obligates the full $200,000. The City operates as a prime grant recipient and holds no sub-grant relationships on this award. Recipients must submit semiannual programmatic performance reports and quarterly Federal Financial Reports, with final closeout reporting due upon project completion. The COPS Office may conduct site visits, enhanced office-based reviews, and periodic surveys to monitor compliance with programmatic and financial requirements.

The proposed project, titled the wellness outreach initiative, is designed to enhance officer well-being, mental health resilience, and long-term peer support within the department. This effort builds upon an early framework of part-time clinical services and informal peer support to develop a robust, department-wide wellness culture that improves retention, job performance, and community safety. Grant funds will support key activities, including multi-level peer support training, 24/7 access to a confidential wellness APP, contracted trauma-informed clinical care, wellness outreach materials, and officer participation in regional and national wellness programs.