Funding

Funding

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for Virginia youth aged 10-19. In order to prevent suicide among our students it is vital for school staff to recognize the warning signs of a student who is thinking of suicide and to know how to access appropriate assistance.

In accordance with The Code of Virginia (§22.1-272.1.) and the Department of Education's (DOE) Suicide Prevention Guidelines, the Virginia Department of Health, in partnership with DOE is offering reimbursable grants up to $1,200 for up to 50 Virginia high schools to implement RESPONSE: A Comprehensive High-School Based Suicide Prevention Program.

RESPONSE is a comprehensive high school-based program that increases awareness about suicide among high school staff, students and parents. All program components are designed to heighten sensitivity to depression and suicidal ideation, increase identification, and facilitate referrals. The program also provides procedures to refer a student who may be at-risk for suicide. Components of the program include:

• Awareness training for staff
• Student curriculum that can be taught through health education classes
• A parent mailing that will consist of information regarding the program with signs that parents can look for in their children. There is also an optional parent training.

Below you will found the mini-grant application and an in depth description of RESPONSE. All applications are due 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2009 for this round of funding.

If you have any questions, please contact Christina Sloan, Youth Suicide Prevention Manager, at the Virginia Department of Health. She can be reached at christina.sloan@vdh.virginia.gov, (804) 864-7736, or www.preventsuicideVA.org.

For information on the Department of Education's partnership in this funding opportunity, please contact Joe Wharff, School Counseling Connections Specialist, at the Department of Education. He can be reached at joseph.wharff@doe.virginia.gov.

RESPONSE: High School-Based Suicide Prevention Mini-Grant Application

For a more in-depth description of RESPONSE, click here.