Recognizing the urgent need for proactive, confidential, and relevant mental health services, sheriff anthony maness will lead the implementation of a multi-component wellness initiative

The Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Program awarded Allen County $200,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (CFDA 16.070) to implement a multi-component wellness initiative for law enforcement personnel and their families.

Sheriff Anthony Maness leads the initiative, which delivers peer support officer training targeting certification of two or more deputies, resiliency training for all staff, a confidential app-based wellness platform offering self-directed resources, and contracted counseling services with licensed mental health providers located outside the county and familiar with law enforcement stressors. The program is designed to reduce stress, fatigue, and burnout while improving job satisfaction, family relationships, and public trust. Future phases will expand access to family-oriented resiliency training and position Allen County as a regional wellness hub across southeast Kansas.

Performance occurs in Iola, Kansas, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The obligated amount is $200,000. Extensions up to 12 additional months may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Allen County must submit semiannual programmatic performance reports and quarterly SF-425 Federal Financial Reports, along with a final closeout report. The COPS Office will conduct award monitoring including site visits, enhanced office-based reviews, and periodic surveys to verify compliance with nonsupplanting requirements and programmatic and financial conditions.

This program will include peer support training for deputies, regional resiliency training, contracted counseling services with certified mental health providers located outside the county, and the adoption of a confidential, APP-based platform offering self-directed wellness resources. Core deliverables include: training two or more deputies as certified peer support officers; providing all staff with resiliency training; launching a confidential wellness APP; and contracting with licensed clinicians familiar with the unique stressors of law enforcement work. The program is designed to reduce stress, fatigue, and burnout while improving job satisfaction, family relationships, and public trust. Future phases will expand access to family-oriented resiliency training and position allen county as a regional hub for wellness training across southeast kansas.