The CARE for First Responders Act expands mental health and substance abuse services for approximately 4.6 million career and volunteer first responders across the country, including police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and public safety telecommunicators like 911 operators. The bill recognizes that first responders face significantly higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide than the general population due to their exposure to traumatic situations and high-stress work environments. The legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a comprehensive mental health program within two years that includes 24-hour mental health services, a dedicated crisis hotline staffed by trained personnel, peer support counseling programs, and education to reduce stigma around mental health treatment. Additionally, the bill authorizes competitive grants of up to $150,000 to eligible health organizations to provide mobile crisis services at disaster sites, with $5 million in annual funding authorized from fiscal years 2024 through 2028. The law also extends crisis counseling assistance to first responders responding to major disasters and formally includes public safety telecommunicators, previously excluded from federal first responder classification, in all programs and benefits.
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