Texas Blue Chip Program

What is the Texas Blue Chip Program?

The Texas Blue Chip program is an extension of the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN) in the greater North Texas Region designed to provide no cost clinical resources for police officers.  Clinical resources include counseling and psychologist office visits that can be accessed without having to go through employee assistance program, officer wellness programs at a police department, a peer network, or insurance referrals. 

For Health Care Providers  

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Why is it important to offer this?

• Texas recorded the highest number of law enforcement officer suicides nationally in 2022, with a total of 16 lives lost.
• While officers may have avenues for private mental health care through insurance or peer networks, many still hesitate to seek help, even in the aftermath of traumatic incidents. 
• The Texas Blue Chip Program offers an additional anonymous channel through which officers can obtain assistance on their own terms.

Are services confidential? 

Completely. In addition to being entirely separate from employers, a wholly anonymous process has been put in place, including a provider reimbursement procedure that does not include the officer’s name or any other identifying information.

What does a Texas Blue Chip look like?

How is the program funded?  

The program is funded through a philanthropic grant from the Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) and its Support for Allen Fund. Hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses contributed to CFT's Support for Allen Fund in the days and weeks following the tragic shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets to help provide support for those affected by the tragedy, including law enforcement officers.

Is it open to all police officers?

Yes, any officer in greater North Texas can access a Blue Chip by downloading the TLEPN app, picking a chip up at their department in the privacy of a briefing room, locker room, or employee only washroom, or by directly requesting one from TLEPN. 

How does the officer access services? 

• To see a clinician, an officer takes a chip, and selects a provider on the program list.  
• An officer may take more than one chip if more than one visit is anticipated. Participants are encouraged to only take the chips the officer intends to use.
• One chip covers the cost associated of one visit with reimbursement of services paid directly to the provider by the Texas Blue Chip Program.  
• A Texas Blue Chip is redeemed directly with the clinician, who in turn will use it to invoice the TLEPN.
• All visits are confidential, completely anonymous, and no information is shared with a police department or the reimbursing organization. 

How did the program begin?

The Meadows Institute worked closely with the International Association of Chiefs of Police's chair of the Police Professional Standards, Ethics, and Images Committee, Chief Will Johnson, to create a program inspired by the success of the Blue Chip program pioneered during his leadership tenure at the Arlington Police Department.

Will the program be available statewide? 

The Meadows Institute is actively working to identify funds to expand the program statewide. 

Who can I contact for more information?

For additional peer support and resources please contact the TLEPN State Director Dustin Schellenger at (971) 338-1314 or email us at tlepn@untdallas.edu.