THE NEW MILFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT SEEKS FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE NEW MILFORD POLICE MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS SUMMIT, AN INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON PROMOTING MENTAL WELLNESS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS FAMILY-CENTERED EVENT WILL BE OPEN TO DISPATCHERS AND NON-SWORN PERSONNEL AS WELL AS SURROUNDING AGENCIES, FOSTERING REGIONAL COLLABORATION IN SUPPORT OF OFFICER WELLNESS. PLANNED ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MINDFULNESS WORKSHOPS, STRESS MANAGEMENT AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SESSIONS, FAMILY-FRIENDLY GAMES, AND EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSIONS. OUR DEPARTMENT'S PEER SUPPORT TEAM, POLICE PSYCHOLOGIST, AND FACILITY COMFORT DOGS WILL PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN CREATING AN APPROACHABLE, STIGMA-FREE SPACE FOR OPEN CONVERSATIONS. THE FAMILY-FRIENDLY SETTING IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE AND HELP FAMILIES BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EMOTIONAL DEMANDS PLACED ON OFFICERS. FUNDING FROM THIS GRANT WILL SUPPORT THE WELLNESS EVENT ITSELF AS WELL AS CONTINUING EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION ON KEY WELLNESS TOPICS, INCLUDING RESILIENCY, STRESS REDUCTION, AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS. THIS FALL SUMMIT WILL SERVE AS A FOUNDATION FOR ONGOING INITIATIVES, WITH PLANS TO CONTINUE PROGRAMMING IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR.