Cooperative Agreements for the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program

The "Cooperative Agreements for the Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program," listed as opportunity number SM-25-008, is a forecasted discretionary funding opportunity provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Department of Health and Human Services. This program is focused on supporting states, territories, and tribal entities in implementing youth suicide prevention and early intervention strategies across various settings, including schools, higher education institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance use and mental health programs, foster care systems, and other organizations serving youth. The main goal of this program is to reduce youth suicide by empowering local organizations to integrate prevention and intervention practices within systems that serve children and young adults. The program encourages collaborative efforts across these systems to create safe environments for youth and provides critical support to at-risk populations. By partnering with child and youth-serving institutions, this initiative aims to address the unique risk factors and needs of diverse youth communities and improve access to preventive services and mental health resources. The program is projected to have a total funding amount of $7,000,000, with SAMHSA estimating up to nine awards under this opportunity. Specific details regarding the maximum and minimum award amounts are not provided, but the absence of a cost-sharing requirement enables grantees to receive full funding without needing to contribute additional funds. This opportunity is covered under Assistance Listing Number 93.243, which focuses on SAMHSA’s projects with regional and national significance in mental health and substance use services. Eligible applicants include states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal organizations as defined under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and urban Indian organizations as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Additionally, public or private nonprofit organizations designated by a state to implement youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies statewide are eligible to apply. These eligibility requirements are intended to focus resources on entities that have the statutory authority or designation to manage and oversee statewide or tribal youth suicide prevention efforts. The grant opportunity is currently forecasted, with an estimated posting date of January 15, 2025. Specific application deadlines, award announcement dates, and project start dates are yet to be determined. However, prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov for updates and begin preparing proposals aligned with the program’s objectives, including a focus on multi-setting, collaborative prevention strategies that target youth populations effectively. For additional information, Johari Eligan at SAMHSA can be contacted at (240) 276-1096 or via email at johari.eligan@samhsa.hhs.gov. Detailed guidance on application procedures and requirements will be available on Grants.gov closer to the posting date. This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in youth mental health, offering communities resources to build sustainable, integrated systems that prioritize early intervention and suicide prevention among young people.