TIPS Overview and Update
January 2023
TheTCSAR Foundation has administratively supported theTIPS program since the Fall of 2019. This means theTCSAR Foundation has worked to help collect funds from agencies, fundraised for the program, paid bills and help to support trainings when appropriate
With the addition of new agencies (St John’s Health ER nurses and GrandTarghee Ski Patrol) and with better understanding of best practice for programs such as these, and with a few years of practice under our belts,TIPS steering committee (made up of individuals from each team and the therapist group) has been working to figure out the future of our program Below are some key elements of the steering committee's plan
Step 1: Find a neutral home for TIPS to live (for the next 12 months minimum)
Finding a neutral, non-government home forTIPS to administratively live has been on the list for the steering committee This move will create less pressure on theTCSAR Foundation to host the program for the entire First responder community while also giving all First responders neutral access to it’s resources. By moving theTIPS program, we also have the ability to fundraise for theTIPS program outside of using theTCSAR Foundation brand The CFJH began a program last summer to support mental health in the Jackson Hole Community and we have been working with their program director, ED and head of finance to see ifTIPS fits within their program With the unique qualities of the CFJH,TIPS is able to have a stand alone fund at CFJH where individuals and organizations can contribute funds to supportTIPS They also have the administrative support to help write checks and produce financial reports.At this point, our hope is to move theTIPS admin responsibilities to the CFJH by the end of January 2023 We will create a trial period to make sure this works for everyone involved. Other ideas have been to create it’s own 501c3 but that is less desirable at this point
Step 2: Pay therapists their actual rate and create a budget/fundraising plan to accommodate that change In 2021, theTIPS program cost $63,632 33 which included direct payments and training. To date in the 22/23 budget cycle,TIPS has cost $59,480. The increased cost is due directly to the therapists being paid their actual rate vs a reduced rate TheTIPS steering committee program budget for 22/23 is $100,000.
Step 3: Create a funding model that all agencies pay into the system and is supported by donors in the community. Currently 5 agencies pay into the TIPS program at $5,000 per program (withTCSAR Foundation covering the costs of the administration costs) Moving forward, we are hopeful that all agencies involved will pay in at $5,000 per year to cover the direct costs of therapy With the help of the CFJH staff andTIPS individual members, the plan is to cover the remaining cost with private donations
Step 4:
Create a training plan that utilizes local expertise with national known support TheTIPS steering committee has created a training plan for the next year that uses the local knowledge in our community to create the base of the training needed forTIPS responders but is supported by nationally recognized training. We are hoping to partner with St. John’s Health this May to work on a first responder suicide prevention workshop. Our therapists will also continue to be supported by ResponderAlliance on a quarterly basis with a mentorship model to ensure they have the tools they need to support our responders and our community.
Step 5:
Create a website that offers resources for TIPS providers, responders and the community to find helpful. TheTIPS steering committee is in the final phases of finishing the newTIPS website Thanks to the support from Jen Reddy, this fully functional website will be helpful for TIPS providers as well as the entire community. https://tetontips.org/