The city is proud to announce that the Behavioral Health Access Program (BHAP) was recognized with the Strategic Leadership & Governance Award by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) during their annual conference held in Columbus, OH.
BHAP is a mental health and wellness program for employees offering free and low-cost mental health services to the city’s first responders, general employees, and their families. Initially developed by the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department in 2017, the program has grown to include peer support, critical incident stress management, copay-free counseling sessions, trained clinician response team, addiction and recovery solutions, chaplaincy, family support, leadership, and training.
“When people have access to adequate mental health resources, they are more likely to thrive as employees and as individuals,” said Coral Springs City Manager Frank Babinec. “I am humbled and honored our program was recognized by ICMA for an award of such distinction. I know first-hand that the BHAP model works and has led to a healthier, happier workforce for our city. In fact, I know it has saved lives.”
The program is designed to show and, in instances, has shown strong benefits including a reduction in the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, extended longevity, a happier work environment, reduced absenteeism, and increased job satisfaction.
A recent news segment highlighted two Coral Springs First Responders whose lives were saved by the program can be viewed here.
Of the international recognition, Mayor Scott Brook said, “I have long served as an advocate for mental health awareness, and I am incredibly proud of our City Manager Frank Babinec for making BHAP part of our city’s work culture. This program helps break the stigma surrounding mental health and wellness for employees and serves as a model for other organizations to implement.”
The ICMA Local Government Excellence Awards Program highlights creative contributions to professional local government management while demonstrating the difference that effective and committed management makes to the quality of life in our communities. ICMA’s program awards are presented to local governments and their chief administrators in recognition of their innovative and successful programs. In addition to in-person and virtual conference recognition, the 2022 ICMA award recipients will be highlighted in the October 2022 issue of PM magazine.
Original source can be found here.
