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BlogOn May 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced an opportunity for stakeholders across the country including counties to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million grant challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans.VA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicide
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Blog
VA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicide
On May 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced an opportunity for stakeholders across the country including counties to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million grant challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans. Under the new initiative, 40 teams will receive awards ranging from $100,000 to $3 million, which will be distributed across two phases. Applicants have until July 8, 2022, to submit their proposals.
Individuals or teams applying for the grants are encouraged to submit concept papers focused on one of the following key areas:
- Utilizing digital data from active and passive sources
- Improved access to and efficiency to the Veterans Crisis Line
- Preventing firearm suicides
- Improving community resilience and connection
- Incorporating family and community into veteran’s well-being
- Reducing barriers to veterans asking for help
VA will support challenge applicants with a collection of open data, surveys and reports on Veteran suicide prevention as they prepare their concept papers. Participants are also invited to join the Mission Daybreak solver community to expand and augment their teams with interdisciplinary expertise. To learn more and hear from experts, applicants are encouraged to register for the upcoming virtual information session and topical webinars.
Mission Daybreak is part of VA’s 10-year strategy to reduce veteran suicide, which remains a public health crisis impacting communities across the nation. Counties are key partners in efforts to prevent veteran suicide and ensure comprehensive mental health services to veterans and their families. County officials and other stakeholders interested in applying to the challenge must submit a detailed concept paper to VA no later than July 8, 2022. Click here for more information.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Blog: VA now accepting applications for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
- NACo Blog: VA publishes Interim Final Rule for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
- NACo Blog: U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs holds hearing on veteran suicide prevention
- NACo Report: Promoting Health and Safety Through a Behavioral Health Continuum of Care
- NACo Toolkit: The 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
On May 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced an opportunity for stakeholders across the country including counties to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million grant challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans.2022-05-31Blog2022-05-31
On May 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced an opportunity for stakeholders across the country including counties to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million grant challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans. Under the new initiative, 40 teams will receive awards ranging from $100,000 to $3 million, which will be distributed across two phases. Applicants have until July 8, 2022, to submit their proposals.
Individuals or teams applying for the grants are encouraged to submit concept papers focused on one of the following key areas:
- Utilizing digital data from active and passive sources
- Improved access to and efficiency to the Veterans Crisis Line
- Preventing firearm suicides
- Improving community resilience and connection
- Incorporating family and community into veteran’s well-being
- Reducing barriers to veterans asking for help
VA will support challenge applicants with a collection of open data, surveys and reports on Veteran suicide prevention as they prepare their concept papers. Participants are also invited to join the Mission Daybreak solver community to expand and augment their teams with interdisciplinary expertise. To learn more and hear from experts, applicants are encouraged to register for the upcoming virtual information session and topical webinars.
Mission Daybreak is part of VA’s 10-year strategy to reduce veteran suicide, which remains a public health crisis impacting communities across the nation. Counties are key partners in efforts to prevent veteran suicide and ensure comprehensive mental health services to veterans and their families. County officials and other stakeholders interested in applying to the challenge must submit a detailed concept paper to VA no later than July 8, 2022. Click here for more information.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Blog: VA now accepting applications for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
- NACo Blog: VA publishes Interim Final Rule for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
- NACo Blog: U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs holds hearing on veteran suicide prevention
- NACo Report: Promoting Health and Safety Through a Behavioral Health Continuum of Care
- NACo Toolkit: The 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
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Webinar
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Nov. 29, 2022 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmJoin us for a webinar reflecting on Operation Green Light and learn about opportunities to continue serving and supporting veterans at the county level. -
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Basic page
Veterans and Military Services Committee
The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans and their families.pagepagepage<p>The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans
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Reports & Toolkits
Operation Green Light for Veterans: County Participation Toolkit
Find resources to help your county participate in Operation Green Light, including information on converting municipal lighting to green, outreach materials and more.Reports & Toolkitsdocument063012:45 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out wht-text">
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Contact
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Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
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Legislative Assistant(202) 942-4259
Related Posts
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BlogApplications open for $52.5 million in VA grants for veteran suicide preventionMar. 13, 2023
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BlogHouse passes CVSO Act to support veteransDec. 2, 2022
Related Resources
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