AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Airway Heights City Council announced two grant agreements supporting law enforcement activity during their March 28 study session. The grants accompanied service agreements that Police Chief Brad Richmond asked the council to accept.
The service agreements with Mnati Consulting and Grassroots Therapy LLC were unanimously approved by council.
Richmond deferred to Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) officer Patrick Carbaugh to explain a program he has developed and how it applies to grant funding. As an officer focusing on the community’s youth, he wants to give at-risk children a chance to find mentorship and enjoy some outdoor activities.
“We want to take kids on a summer program and it looks like it will be about a six-week program,” Carbaugh said. “We’ll take at-risk youth that has been hand-selected from the Cheney School District on some whitewater rafting, backpacking, and rock-climbing trips.”
Richmond spoke about how the program will go beyond the outdoor activities and help to mentor the kids who participate.
“Officer Carbaugh talks about the extra-curricular activities, but Pat’s also a great role model,” Richmond said. “He has the skills to try to encourage the at-risk youth and turn them in another direction.”
Carbaugh’s official program mission is to provide opportunities for kids to work they may not have had otherwise. According to Carbaugh, there is a growing issue with drug and alcohol use in the community’s youth. He thinks offering them different opportunities can open their eyes to a different path.
Councilman Sonny Weathers congratulated Carbaugh for his efforts and described a personally defining moment from his childhood.
“When I was in middle school, I had a teacher that taught me I had a choice and could use my cool for good or bad. Looking back it was a huge defining moment in my life” Weathers said. “It sounds like you’re trying to create those defining moments for our kids.”
Carbaugh continued to explain that Peak 7 is the group they plan to partner with, and this group already has all insurance and equipment in place and would claim liability during the trips. He also described how Alise Mnati from Mnati Consulting effectively allocated the funding his program needed.
Mnati described how grant funding is available for various departmental needs, and aggressively seeking that funding is the best way to get results.
“Typically, you’re not changing your mission; you’re trying to fit your mission into what is being asked for,” said Mnati. “So that’s what we’re trying to do is stay within the mission of the Airway Heights Police Department.”
Carbaugh spoke of support from multiple outlets and how the department hopes this program will be in place for years to come.
“We have the city’s support, and it sounds like Cheney School District is on board,” said Carbaugh. “Peak 7 is 100% on board and wants to discuss a possible five-year plan.”
The second grant brought under discussion is to support behavioral and mental health along with suicide prevention exclusively. Mnati said the funding came from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs but the Department of Health initiated it.
“This funding went through the association and then was dispersed out to departments that were asked to propose a type of pilot program that would look up behavior health support for law enforcement in addition to suicide prevention,” Mnati said. “So, unfortunately, because of recent events, there have been some negative perceptions around law enforcement. And from that, there has been an increase in officer suicide rates.”
Mnati explained that Airway Heights proposed a plan including mental health assessments, check-ups, and possible counseling by a licensed therapist. She also mentioned that the program will be available for officers needing long-term mental health services. These services will be available to all law enforcement partners serving the West Plains.
Only a handful of departments received this opportunity, according to Mnati. She looks to develop a community program across the state. Airway Heights was awarded just over $104,747 to utilize its program.
“What was striking about this particular program is that the Washington State Department of Health is looking for a system they can replicate,” Mnati said. “The fact that we were one of six selected in the state is an honor and a testament to what the city of Airway Heights is doing and how they are very forward thinking about creating a wellness campaign.”
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