Cooperative Agreements Available for Veteran Suicide Prevention

Often times, federal grant funds go to programs that you are glad that they exist, and that you can see that the dollars are going to a good purpose, such as grants for improved highways and bridges. Then there are other programs that, although you know the funds are going to a worthwhile purpose, you somewhat wish that there was no need for that program in the first place.

For example, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently made $10 million new funding available under one such program, the Suicide Mortality Review program, which provides financial assistance to eligible states, territories and tribal governments through cooperative agreements to better inform veteran suicide prevention strategies. Our veterans across the country should be some of the most respected members of society, and it’s disheartening to know that many lose their lives to suicide each year.

These cooperative agreements will provide funding and technical assistance intended to establish, coordinate and manage suicide mortality review committees, which identify and characterize suicide deaths. Suicide mortality review committees help establish a local understanding of suicide, identify populations or locations of special concern, and inform the development and implementation of data-informed suicide prevention strategies for veterans.

This funding opportunity advances VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, the Biden administration’s strategy to reduce military and veteran suicide. “Launching this first-of-its-kind initiative will allow us to better understand suicide deaths and, as a result, deliver better interventions to prevent veteran suicide,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough.

This funding is for one year, with awards expected to be made no later than Sept. 30. The application period for this opportunity opened June 21 and closes July 24 at 4:59 p.m. Eastern time.

Although we appreciate the fact that VA has made this program available, I’m sure we all wish that veteran suicide wasn’t a fact of life in the first place. As we prepare for Independence Day next week, we all salute the service of our veterans and what they’ve done for our country.

Join us for our following Thompson Grants events:
Thompson Grants Workshop: Audits | July 18, 2024 | Virtual Event
Federal Grants Forum State and Local Governments | Sept. 10-11, 2024 | Virtual Event