The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants
Julie Provost
These Grants Will Be for Suicide Prevention Services
On April 15th, the VA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for $51,750,000 in suicide prevention grants. These grants will be awarded to organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for veterans at risk of suicide and the families of those veterans.
Helping those at risk for suicide is so important within the veteran community. These grants will go to help the veterans who are struggling and will make a difference to those who are in need of this type of support as well as their families. This will make for a stronger veteran and military community.
“Communities are important partners in our work to end Veteran suicide,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program will fund programs in local communities that provide suicide prevention services and resources to Veterans and their families along with ensuring Veterans have access to our community partners who know how to reach them.” – from the VA Press Release
These grants will be in alignment with the VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide. It will blend community-based prevention with evidence-based clinical strategies through community efforts.
What organizations qualify for this type of grant?
- Incorporated private institutions or foundations
- A corporation wholly owned or controlled by an incorporated private institution or foundation
- Indian tribes
- Community-based organizations that can effectively network with local civic organizations
- Regional Health Systems
- Other settings where eligible individuals and their families are like to have contact
- State or local governments
The VA can prioritize awards to organizations that focus on areas with limited access to medical services, in rural communities, on tribal lands, in U.S. territories, in areas with a high number or percentage of minority veterans or women veterans, or in areas with a high number or percentage of calls to the Veterans Crisis Line. Doing this will ensure that those who need these services the most will be more likely to get them.
What services will the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox grant cover?
From the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants FAQ page.
- Baseline mental health screening for risk
- Education on suicide risk and prevention to families and communities
- Provision of clinical services for emergency treatment
- Case management services
- Peer support services
- VA benefits assistance for eligible individuals and their families
- Assistance with obtaining and coordinating other benefits provided by the federal government, a state or local government, or an eligible entity
- Assistance with emergent needs relating to health care services, daily living services, personal financial planning and counseling, transportation services, temporary income support services, fiduciary and representative payee services, legal services to assist the eligible individual with issues that may contribute to the risk of suicide, and child care
- Nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices, as determined appropriate by VA
- Other services necessary for improving the mental health status and well-being and reducing the suicide risk of eligible individuals and their families as VA determines appropriate
How much will organizations be able to receive from the grant?
Organizations can apply for grants up to $750,000 and may be able to apply to renew the grant from year to year. As of now, this grant program will run until the fiscal year 2025.
Who is the grant named after?
Veteran Parker Gordon Fox joined the Army in 2014. He was a sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning and was known for his generosity and kindness to others in need. He passed away by suicide in 2020 at the age of 25.
How does an organization apply for these grants?
They can do so through the online application. Applications must be received by June 10, 2022.
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About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, blogger, and owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life, a support blog for military spouses. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
