National Nonprofit Launches First-of-Its-Kind Continued Education Unit to Equip Mental Health Counselors for the Unique Needs of Children of First Responders

Source: First Responders Children's Foundation

NEW YORK—The children of first responders carry burdens few can imagine; anxiety every time a parent leaves for work, increased rates of depression, transferred PTSD, the trauma of near misses, and in too many cases, the grief of sudden loss. First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), the only nationwide nonprofit dedicated to the well-being of children of law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, 911 dispatchers and corrections officers, is breaking new ground with the launch of Behind the Badge, the first continuing education (CEU) training designed specifically to equip mental health professionals with tools to serve this unique population.

Presented in partnership with Newport Healthcare, America’s leading provider in behavioral healthcare, Behind the Badge is a free, 1.5-hour live webinar-based training on Aug. 29, 2025, open to psychologists, social workers, counselors, and therapists nationwide. Co-presented by Clarissa Miller, LCSW-S, FRCF’s National Mental Health Program Director, and Rob Casale, LPC of Newport Healthcare, the training focuses on trauma-informed strategies for children and adolescents in first responder households. Attendees will gain practical approaches to working with youth, partnering effectively with caregivers, and improving outcomes with free CE credits available.

The need for this service has never been greater:

• 35% of first responder children experience anxiety (NIMH)
• 15% of children of law enforcement and firefighters report suicidal thoughts (NIMH)
• 20% of first responder children meet the criteria for depression (NIMH)

Since launching its mental health resiliency program in May 2022, FRCF has expanded to eight states: California, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas—partnering with highly-trained, culturally-competent providers with expertise in treating the unique challenges children of first responders face. To date, we have delivered more than 3,500 hours of confidential, no-cost counseling to children of first responders. To date, the program has served 681 children, including 283 in 2025 alone, addressing issues from grief and anxiety to the lasting impact of line-of-duty deaths.

“This is a new frontier for FRCF,” says Clarissa Miller, LCSW-S. “First responder kids face a very specific set of challenges that most clinicians aren’t trained to address. By educating and expanding our network of culturally-competent counselors, we’re ensuring that no child has to navigate these burdens without expert care.”

Registration for Behind the Badge is now open. Mental health professionals who participate will join a growing movement committed to empowering resilience and potential in the children of those who protect and serve.