To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Meeting Date: April 9, 2024
|
Department Contact: |
Jenine Miller, Psy.D. |
Phone: |
707-472-2341 |
|
Item Type: Consent Agenda |
|
Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Authorization for Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in Collaboration with Veterans Services to Submit a Grant Application to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity, for an Amount up to $750,000; and Authorization for the Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services to Sign Any Resulting Agreement Awarded, up to $750,000
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Authorize Behavioral Health and Recovery Services in collaboration with Veterans Services to submit a grant application to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity, for an amount up to $750,000; and authorize the Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services to sign any resulting Agreement awarded, up to $750,000.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
N/A
Summary of Request:
The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) honors Veteran Parker Gordon Fox, who joined the Army in 2014 and was a sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, GA. Known for a life of generosity and kindness to others in need, SSG Fox died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25.
The SSG Fox SPGP enables VA to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of Veterans and their families through outreach, suicide prevention services, and connection to VA and community resources. In alignment with VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide <https://sprc.org/sites/default/files/resource-program/VA_National-Strategy-for-Preventing-Veterans-Suicide2018.pdf> (2018), this grant program assists in further implementing a public health approach that blends community-based prevention with evidence-based clinical strategies through community efforts. The grant program is part of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, signed into law on October 17, 2020.
Congress has authorized $174 million to be appropriated to carry out the SSG Fox SPGP, a three-year community-based grant program that provides resources to community organizations serving certain Veterans and their families across the country. Organizations can apply for grants worth up to $750,000 and may apply to renew awards from year to year throughout the length of the program. Grants will be awarded to organizations that provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for eligible individuals at risk of suicide and their families that qualify.
Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) is seeking Board of Supervisors (BOS) approval to submit an application for SSG Fox SPGP funding for the purposes of supporting and augmenting mental health screening services provided to eligible Veterans. The intended effect of the program is consistent with the intent of the law, and ensures that those services authorized under this grant program are those that meet the purpose of reducing suicide risk. Towards this end, all SSG Fox SPGP grantees provide at minimum the required Baseline mental health screening service and have the option of providing additional SSG Fox SPGP services outlined below as approved by VA in their grant agreements.
(1) Outreach to identify those at risk of suicide.
(2) Baseline mental health screening (for participants over 18 years of age).
(3) Education on suicide risk and prevention to families and communities.
(4) Provision of clinical services for emergency treatment.
(5) Case management services.
(6) Peer support services.
(7) VA benefits assistance for eligible individuals and their families.
(8) Assistance with obtaining and coordinating other public benefits and assistance with
emergent needs.
(9) Nontraditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices, as determined
appropriate by VA.
(10) Other services necessary for improving mental health status and well-being and
reducing the suicide risk of eligible individuals and their families as determined
appropriate by VA.
BHRS also requests BOS authorization for the Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services or designee to execute the SSG Fox SPGP funding agreement, if awarded.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Return to staff for alternative handling.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Safe and Healthy County
Supervisorial District: All
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide (2018), https://sprc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/VA_National-Strategy-for-Preventing-Veterans-Suicide2018.pdf
Fiscal Details:
|
source of funding: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant, if awarded |
|
current f/y cost: N/A |
|
budget clarification: Anticipated award, up to $750,000 |
|
annual recurring cost: N/A |
|
budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No |
|
revenue agreement: N/A |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: N/A
CEO Liaison: Tony Rakes, Acting Deputy CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
|
Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Senior Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Approved |
|
Date: April 9, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|