Bill Overview
Title: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Behavioral Health Act
Description: This bill addresses various issues related to behavioral health care for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees. For example, the bill (1) establishes a behavioral health readiness office within CBP, and (2) requires all CBP initial entry training sites to include basic behavioral health awareness training.
Sponsors: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Target Audience
Population: U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees
Estimated Size: 60000
- This bill specifically targets the employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is a federal agency.
- The bill focuses on the behavioral health care and training of CBP employees, impacting their mental well-being and professional training.
- Current numbers suggest CBP has approximately 60,000 employees, which includes border patrol agents, customs officers, and other staff.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets the behavioral health and training of CBP employees, who number approximately 60,000 individuals.
- The budget constraints mean the impacts cannot be overly extensive in expensive programs happening every year. The focus is likely on establishing the initial office and basic training, which will already require significant resources.
- Given the size of the workforce, the direct effects may be concentrated among those directly engaging with the program, while others might experience indirect benefits from improved management or workplace culture.
- There will be variation in the impact based on the role within CBP, as those in more demanding or stressful positions might benefit more from behavioral health supports.
- Non-CBP individuals will not be directly affected by the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Agent (Nogales, Arizona)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The introduction of a behavioral health office within CBP seems long overdue.
- I hope it helps reduce staff burnout and promotes mental well-being.
- Basic training in behavioral health could help agents like me manage stress better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Customs Officer (San Diego, California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to see focus on mental health, especially after the pandemic showed how important it is.
- As a customs officer back from maternity leave, balancing work and personal life is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Supervisor, CBP Office (El Paso, Texas)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having seen the stress my team experiences, this initiative could really help.
- Improved training can foster a healthier environment and better service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Data Analyst at CBP (Laredo, Texas)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As an analyst, the direct impact might be lower for me.
- Nevertheless, a healthier workplace culture benefits everyone in the long run.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Marine Interdiction Agent (Miami, Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Behavioral health awareness could help operations be safer and more efficient.
- Hoping that more agents recognize the importance of mental health training.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
CBP Support Staff (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training could improve my awareness even if my role is mostly administrative.
- Feeling included in these initiatives is encouraging.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Agricultural Specialist at CBP (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Psychological readiness is just as important as physical readiness for officers like us.
- Initiatives focusing on this make the workplace more supportive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
CBP Officer (Buffalo, New York)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Behavioral health training helps create more comprehensive officers.
- The longevity of the program is crucial for lasting benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Border Protection Officer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Glad to see support for mental health being institutionalized.
- Hope to see tangible changes on the ground level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Mechanic support for CBP (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't deal directly with the border activities, a healthier workplace does improve overall morale.
- Training can always help in ways you don't expect.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $13000000)
Year 2: $9000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $12000000)
Year 3: $9000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $12000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $13000000)
Year 10: $9500000 (Low: $6500000, High: $12500000)
Year 100: $9000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- The goal to improve behavioral health services could lead to lower absenteeism and increased productivity among CBP employees.
- Initial setup costs for the new office will be the most significant expense early in the implementation.
- Ongoing costs stem primarily from staffing and training at multiple sites.