Code 4 Northwest has been helping first responders and their family members find pre-vetted resources to address trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, other related maladies since 2013. Since our inception we have provided well over $500,000.00 in scholarship assistance to our first responders to help with copays for counseling and in patient treatments, trainings, and other related support functions. We have traditionally been funded through private party donations and through an annual fundraiser. COVID changed our ability to hold an annual fundraiser, but we were still able to survive thanks to our generous donors. We are now working on other funding models such as grant applications and corporate sponsorships, which will further help us continue our important work. Please keep in mind that we are an all-volunteer organization, which makes us one of the most efficient 501.C3 organizations in the country.

Funding is just one part of our operations, but a crucial reduction to any barriers to getting help. If a client pays for one counseling session copay for $50.00, they can usually handle it. But if a group of sessions are indicated, the copays add up and create an expense that many households cannot handle on a first responders’ salary. More advanced help often involves a substantial transportation (airfare) expense, as well as medications and copays, which often reach several thousand dollars. The more we can assist with those costs, the more first responders we can help.

Each year, we help about 1300 first responder clients get counseling appointments, and about 50-60 others seek in-patient treatment. We support wellness and peer support training when we can, after making sure that our direct needs are met.

We can efficiently provide peer support and resource referrals to our first responders and their family members through our generous volunteers who dedicate countless hours to our mission. Our delivery of services is mostly done through our hotline that is manned by current and former first responders who are trained in peer support and crisis intervention. We have also become very well respected in the first responder community and get several direct inquiries from individuals and department. Being able to fund scholarships for treatment and training needs further enhances our ability to promote wellness and provide meaningful help when needed. Our first responders risk their lives every day to keep us safe and respond to our health and safety needs. The least we can do as a society is support them when life on the job gets the best of them.

Nick.bauer@code4nw.org

Or mail to: Code 4 Northwest, 24017 SE 187th St., Maple Valley WA 98038