Florida

DeSantis, first lady announce $12M for mental health funding to benefit first responders

TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and first lady Casey DeSantis hosted a roundtable in Tampa on Friday to announce $12 million to fund mental health programing for first responders.

The first lady said the funding is another way for the state to thank first responders for the work they do in our communities.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

She said the money will be divided between the state’s six Department of Children and Families regions and then will filter down locally.

READ: DeSantis proposes boost to state law enforcement pay

Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris said the money will help the department meet the needs of first responders as they deal with trauma on the job.

“The earlier we can get individuals the help they need the better the outcome will be,” Harris said.

READ: Proposed police bonus seen as boon to Florida agencies

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.