MHANYS works closely with the NYS Office of Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Office and the Suicide Prevention Center of New York to make operational yearly statewide suicide prevention initiatives that reach clinicians, communities, and other stakeholders.

A. Program Description:

The Suicide Prevention Center of New York (SPCNY) is prepared to support the development of up to FOUR countywide LOSS Teams (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors). The purpose of this funding opportunity is to increase capacity and infrastructure at the county level to support those who identify as suicide loss survivors. The specific goal of developing a county LOSS Team is to connect suicide loss survivors to suicide loss survivor groups and other healing resources as soon after a loss by suicide occurs. This is a targeted strategy for suicide prevention that ultimately helps all those involved in the experience.

B. Funding Information:

SPCNY will award up to four applicants the following to support the startup, planning and coordination of a County LOSS team.

• SPCNY will provide the funds for National LOSS trainers to facilitate a series of two half-day trainings to qualifying coalitions and respective partners (see Requirements). The content of these trainings will discuss the basic framework necessary for developing and sustaining a local LOSS Team initiative.
• SPCNY will provide funds to support initial project management (up to 8 hours per week/$12,480 for one year) for funded projects.

C. Eligibility Requirements-the following are required to be viable applicants

• Entities eligible to be considered for funding are New York State Suicide Prevention Coalitions with a clearly identified fiduciary.
• Interested coalitions must attend an initial LOSS Team overview presentation provided through the SPCNY-refer to Timeline section of this announcement. This will be a 90-minute virtual presentation. Every effort should be made to have representatives from the following groups present:

–  American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) regional staff,
–  volunteer loss survivor(s),
–  clinicians and/or Mobile Crisis Assessment Team representative if applicable,
–  law enforcement, coroner, or Medical Examiner.

• There must be an active suicide loss survivor group operating within and accessible to residents of the county. This group must be specific to suicide loss and should have trained facilitators (ideally through AFSP). A loss survivor group must be fully established prior to considering this funding opportunity.
• Within 90 days of award notification (see timeline) there must be a clearly identified Project Manager. Project Management and related funding will commence January 1, 2022.

Project Manager Responsibilities include:

• Act as the Point of Contact who will receive any request for activation of the LOSS Team and facilitate activation
• Help to ensure that all the required Letters of Support have been obtained and uploaded as described in submissions process
• In partnership with AFSP, begin to solicit interest from local suicide loss survivors for consideration to become part of the County team
• Working with SPCNY and LOSS Team trainers, coordinate dates and other logistics for the LOSS team training
• Upon completion of the LOSS training, ensure the identified LOSS Team volunteers and other partners (law enforcement agency/Coroner or ME) have reviewed and have shared access to any of the standardized forms (development of forms will be provided from LOSS Team trainers and SPCNY) for the activation and tracking of LOSS Team involvement
• Work with local media outlets, local partner agencies and SPCNY’s Public Information Officer (PIO) to promote awareness of launch of LOSS Teams

The following conditions must also be agreed to, be present currently OR be met within 90 days of funding being awarded:

1. Coalitions that are awarded funding must work with SPCNY and the Subject Matter Experts (SME) to help coordinate the LOSS Team trainings. Participant list will be generated with consultation from the coalition, SPCNY and input from SME. Participation must include at a minimum: volunteer loss survivor, clinician(s) OR Mobile Crisis Assessment Team representative (if applicable), law enforcement representative, coroner or ME and a coalition point of contact
2. Verbal attestation of support for developing a County LOSS team from the following organizations must be acknowledged with your original application. Written letters of support must follow no later than 90 days of receiving notice of the award.

–  AFSP Chapter
–  County and/or municipal police department
–  Corner or Medical Examiners
–  The DCS or County Mental Hygiene Commissioner
–  The local survivors of Suicide loss support group

1. A clearly identified and accessible referral pathway for loss survivors who may require additional formal and informal resources and information beyond referral to a loss group
2. A commitment to annual tracking and reporting of certain metrics (specifics TBD) to SPC
3. Ongoing partnership and coordination with SPC to support the successful implementation and sustainability of LOSS Team development

D. Selection Criteria

• SPCNY is seeking geographic diversity within LOSS team projects. Based on the counties applying, every effort will be made to ensure selections represent such diversity.
• Applications with a greater percentage of required activities completed upon application deadline will be given preference.
• Thoroughness of the required Letters of Support is also considered a priority in selection.

E. Timeline:

• July 14 – The Notice of Funding will be released
• August 5 – From 3pm-4:30 Eastern LOSS 101 webinar- NOTE: All applicants must register in advance for the webinar
• August 27 – Applications due to MHANYS
• September 10 – (World Suicide Prevention Day) awards announced
• December 10 – any outstanding Letters of Support due to MHANYS
• Project management work will begin January 2022 and will occur throughout the year
• January 1- February 28, 2022 – individual county LOSS trainings (two consecutive half days) occur

F. Submission Process:

Applications are a fillable PDF and should be downloaded, completed and emailed back to: Joshua Malatino jmalatino@mhanys.org

Download and view the APPLICATION for NY State Supported LOSS Teams.

To view the above information as a PDF, click HERE.