Sources of Strength Funding Opportunity

The Sources of Strength Funding Opportunity is administered by the Colorado Office of School Safety in partnership with the Office of Suicide Prevention and supported by the Colorado Attorney General's Office. This initiative reflects a statewide commitment to improving youth mental health outcomes and preventing suicide through evidence-based, community-centered programming. The funding is designed specifically to support the implementation of the Sources of Strength model, a nationally recognized prevention framework that focuses on strengthening protective factors among youth populations through peer engagement and adult support networks. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable schools and youth-serving organizations to adopt and sustain the Sources of Strength program. This model is characterized as an upstream approach to suicide prevention, meaning it seeks to address root causes and build resilience before crises occur. The program emphasizes increasing help-seeking behaviors, fostering meaningful peer-to-peer connections, and promoting positive coping strategies. In addition to suicide prevention, the program also addresses related issues such as bullying and substance misuse by cultivating a culture of care and connection within educational and youth-serving environments. Funding provided through this opportunity may be used for specific implementation-related expenses. These include initial training costs conducted by National Trainers affiliated with the Sources of Strength organization, as well as licensing fees required for ongoing program use. Additionally, the Office of Suicide Prevention supports the transition to sustainability by funding training for Certified Local Trainers, enabling organizations to independently maintain the program over time. The funding structure prioritizes long-term implementation, encouraging applicants to develop internal capacity rather than relying indefinitely on external trainers. Eligibility for this opportunity includes Colorado-based schools, school districts, and youth-serving organizations interested in implementing the Sources of Strength program. Priority is given to applicants demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, particularly those planning to transition to Certified Local Trainers. While the funding initially supports implementation through National Trainers, this support is generally limited to a maximum of three years. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for organizations requiring extended support due to specific circumstances. The application process requires interested entities to submit an application through the designated online portal. While detailed application components are not explicitly outlined in the source material, applicants are expected to demonstrate readiness, commitment to program goals, and a plan for long-term sustainability. The funding opportunity does not specify a formal pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. Contact information is provided for program-related inquiries, including representatives from both the Office of Suicide Prevention and the Sources of Strength organization. The timeline for this opportunity is not explicitly defined in terms of opening and closing dates within the provided material. However, the program is described as a recurring funding opportunity aligned with annual implementation cycles, suggesting that new application rounds are expected periodically. Funding duration for each awarded site may extend up to three years during the National Trainer phase, followed by continued support for local trainer development. Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly due to limited funding availability and prioritization criteria.

Emphasize long-term sustainability, collaboration with Local Trainers, and alignment with suicide prevention best practices