The 2020 General Assembly appropriated funds to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to create a grant program to “support services for law enforcement, including post critical incident seminars and peer-supported critical incident stress management programs to promote officer safety and wellness" (Item 406.K). In spring 2020, DCJS awarded grant funding to the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP) ($99,055 and $99,871) and the Virginia Peer Support Association (VAPSA) ($100,129) to provide these services to Virginia law enforcement during FY2021. In the fall of 2021, VALEAP ($200,000) and VAPSA ($100,000) were given new awards to provide peer support services for FY2022.

The 2020 appropriation language also directed DCJS to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and report on its findings by July 1, 2022. This report is submitted to meet that directive.

During the reporting period, VALEAP provided seven peer support training courses, certifying 320 participants as peers. VALEAP also provided four Post Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) in Harrisonburg, and another one in Virginia Beach, Virginia. There were 155 participants served through the five seminars.

During the reporting period, VAPSA provided seven peer support training courses, certifying 70 participants as peers. VAPSA also provided two peer support recertification courses, recertifying 22 participants.