Zero Suicide Initiative | HHS 2018 IHS ZSI 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2018 IHS ZSI 0001

The Zero Suicide Initiative is an Indian Health Service (IHS) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen and modernize how suicide prevention is delivered across Indian health systems. The overall goal is to improve the full system of care for people at risk for suicide by putting in place a comprehensive, culturally informed approach that works across multiple settings where people receive services. This opportunity continues IHS efforts to bring the Zero Suicide framework to Indian Country, building on earlier pilot work that emphasized training, technical assistance, and consultation with selected American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Lessons from those pilots highlighted both practical opportunities and real-world challenges of implementation in tribal and urban Indian contexts, and this funding is meant to help communities scale and solidify the approach in a way that fits local culture, needs, and service structures.

At the center of the initiative is the Zero Suicide model as developed by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), organized around seven core elements that together create a coordinated, systemwide prevention strategy rather than relying on isolated programs. The first element, Lead, focuses on establishing strong leadership commitment and a safety-oriented organizational culture with the explicit aim of dramatically reducing suicides among people receiving care; it also emphasizes meaningful involvement of survivors of suicide attempts and survivors of suicide loss in leadership and planning. Train aims to build a workforce that is competent, confident, and compassionate in responding to suicide risk, so staff across the system understand their roles and can act consistently. Identify requires routine, systematic processes to screen for and assess suicide risk among people receiving services, reducing the chance that risk goes unnoticed. Engage ensures that every person identified as at risk has a clear pathway to timely and adequate care, including collaborative safety planning and actions to reduce access to lethal means. Treat emphasizes the use of effective, evidence-based clinical treatments that directly target suicidal thoughts and behaviors rather than only addressing related issues. Transition highlights the need for continuous contact and support during high-risk periods, especially following emergency, inpatient, or other acute care episodes, when people can be particularly vulnerable. Improve requires the use of data and quality improvement methods to track performance, learn from outcomes, and make system changes that result in better care and better patient outcomes over time.

This is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the Indian Health Service under a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning the federal agency is expected to have substantial involvement in the project beyond simply issuing funds. The program is listed under CFDA number 93.933, and the funding opportunity number is HHS-2018-IHS-ZSI-0001. The opportunity anticipated up to five awards, with an award ceiling of $400,000. The original closing date listed for applications was October 12, 2017, and the announcement was created on August 28, 2017.

Eligibility is limited to specific AI/AN entities as defined in federal law (25 U.S.C. 1603). Eligible applicants include Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations operating an Indian health program under a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or compact with IHS pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA, 25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.). Applicants must also provide proof of nonprofit status with the application, such as documentation of 501(c)(3) status. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at helping tribal and urban Indian health systems move beyond one-time trainings and toward durable, measurable, culturally grounded system changes that reduce suicide risk and improve continuity and quality of care.

• The Indian Health Service in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Zero Suicide Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.933.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-08-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Others.

Apply for HHS 2018 IHS ZSI 0001

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