FORT WORTH, Texas — Three months after launching its Respond, Restore, Resolve Wellness program, R3, the Fort Worth Police and Fire Departments are looking for additional program partners to offer complimentary support services.
The R3 program is part of the department's new wellness unit to help address the mental health crisis in first responders. R3 offers training, access to non-clinical preventative care resources, and culturally competent counseling to help eliminate the stigma and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental support.
Now, the program is looking for partners who can offer free of charge or donated services related to topics such as financial literacy, marriage and family counseling support, addiction/substance abuse and more.
The application window for interested organizations is open until July 31 and can be filled out here.
“After starting up the Wellness Unit just 90 days ago, we are ready to start adding more program offerings to our entire team,” said FWPD Sgt. and Wellness Unit Supervisor Jason Ricks. “Providing varied resources to fit first responders is a key component of the wellness unit. We are seeing positive impacts within our community, and conversations around mental health are happening – that’s a big deal.”
Part of R3's initiatives includes focusing on "moral injury," which is described as "the damage done to one’s conscience or moral compass when a person perpetrates, witnesses, or fails to prevent acts that transgress one’s own moral beliefs, values, or ethical codes of conduct," according to the press release.
The programming is done in partnership with the American Warrior Association, a nonprofit organization helping to honor the country's military, veterans, first responders and their families.
“After attending R3’s American Warrior Association training, I can personally say, it’s been life-changing, and we are hearing similar stories from other program participants,” commented FWFD Chaplain and Wellness Unit Lead Cliff Weaver. “It is critical that we continue to add impactful program options that provide short-and long-term benefits for as many First Responders who are interested.”
The police and fire departments hope these efforts will benefit the community they serve by enhancing officers’ mental strength to de-escalate situations.
To learn more about the R3 program, click here.
