At a gathering of more than 200 Los Angeles area first responders in late April, FRCF announced the expansion of our mental health and wellness Resiliency program, which provides children of first responders free, confidential counseling services with culturally competent, trauma-trained therapists, virtually or in person. These children can experience mental health issues in the form of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, and development delays due to the stress that accompanies the inevitable uncertainty that comes with being the child of a first responder.

This announcement was made in partnership with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, an endorser of the program and now a formal partner of FRCF. As part of the expansion, FRCF has made 900 hours of youth counseling available in May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. FRCF previously paid for 600 hours of youth counseling in the region. We are working with the region’s first responder agencies to sign up 90 children for the services in the first 90 days.

Held at the Los Angeles County Fire Museum, attendees included first responder peer-to-peer support counselors, department psychologists, and agency chaplains representing the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Representatives of L.A.’s NFL franchises were also in attendance, including L.A. Rams star safety Jordan Fuller and L.A. Chargers team clinician Herb Martin.

This is just the beginning of our initiative, and we are actively seeking support from individual and corporate partners in the L.A. area to expand the number of counseling slots and other services that we can make available to these children. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting us in this work, please reach out today. 

Thanks to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, LAPD Department Chief Michel Moore, and LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley for their words of support:

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the First Responders Children’s Foundation to bolster resources and programs available to our families,” said County of Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “It is important to ensure everyone is included when focusing on the behavioral health and wellbeing of our membership, especially the youngest members of our Fire Department families.”

“In a time when a significant percentage of American youth struggle with mental health, the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF) Resiliency Program is a welcome addition to the employee wellness resources of the Los Angeles Police Department. Other services provided by FRCF include financial assistance, grants, scholarships, and bereavement assistance for both officers and dispatchers.  When personal matters are supported, our first responders are able to come to work with a state of mind allowing them to better handle the high stress demands of being a public servant.  The Los Angeles Police Department is always looking for opportunities to serve those who serve others, and looks forward to working with FRCF,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore.

“Firefighting is one of the most stressful occupations imaginable—only combat soldiers endure more stress. Firefighters routinely experience stress on the job which inevitably can impact home life,” said Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. “With the First Responders Children’s Foundation’s new Resiliency Program, LAFD members will be giving their children the best gift – getting them the help they need to cope with stress, manage their fears, and build mental resilience.”

Learn more about the program at 1strcf.org/mental-health/ and see photos from the big event here.

Special thanks to LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley and LAFD Psychologist, Dr. Julie Snyder for helping to spread the word about the FRCF Resiliency Program with this amazing video!