Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $500,000 in federal funding for the New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NYLEAP) to support its efforts to provide mental health services to law enforcement officers. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package that was signed into law yesterday and was personally secured by Senator Gillibrand as a congressionally directed spending item. These federal dollars will enable NYLEAP to increase outreach and expand services to rural areas of New York State.
“Law enforcement officers play a vital role in keeping our communities safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will help NYLEAP provide officers across New York State with critical resources to address post-traumatic stress through peer training, prevention, and intervention programs. First responders put their lives on the line every day, and they deserve access to the mental health support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
NYLEAP will use the funding to expand its Post Critical Incident Seminars for both administrators and line officers. Data shows that NYLEAP’s three-day, peer-to-peer program can significantly reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress among first responders. The funding will also support in-demand services, including peer training classes for Assisting Individuals in Crisis, Group Crisis Intervention, and Suicide Prevention and Intervention.
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