2024 Comprehensive Suicide Prevention – Gun Shop Project Funding Application

Comprehensive Suicide Prevention - Gun Shop Project Funding Application

Summary
This memo outlines a request for applications (RFA) from community-based, non-profit organizations with experience implementing and monitoring suicide prevention programs. Eligible organizations could include, but are not limited to, suicide prevention coalitions, injury prevention coalitions, faith-based agencies, county-level health departments, tribal health departments, medical clinics and law enforcement or public safety programs. Applications in response to this RFA must be submitted online using this application survey. The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday February 15, 2024. Questions related to this RFA must be submitted in writing to Rebecca.gonnering@dhs.wisconsin.gov and may be submitted through February 2, 2024. This funding announcement, a courtesy copy of the application, and question/answer document can be found on the Public Notices website https://publicnotices.wisconsin.gov/NoticeView.asp?lnid=1537470.

Do not include personally identifiable information (PII) or protected health information (PHI) in your responses.

Background
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Public Health (DPH) announces the availability of funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Comprehensive Suicide Prevention (CSP) Program. The aim of the CSP Program is to a) create a multi-sectoral partnership, b) use existing data to select disproportionately-affected populations (DAP) at risk for suicide death and self-harm injuries, c) create an inventory of existing suicide prevention programs and identify areas for growth to reach vulnerable populations, d) engage community resources to increase and expand strategies identified in the CDC Suicide Prevention Resource for Action toolkit, and e) develop and implement a communication plan to share results and improve coordination of providers and resources which serve the identified populations. Further, this project will ensure rigorous evaluation of selected strategies and the success of comprehensive suicide prevention while building sustainable infrastructure to reduce suicide mortality and morbidity through an effective public health approach.

Funding opportunity
The Wisconsin DHS, DPH seeks applicants to implement the Gun Shop Project, an educational campaign for firearm retailers and range owners on ways they can help prevent suicide in rural communities. The campaign involves posters, brochures and tip sheets discussing proper handling and storage of guns and advice on preventing their use in suicides. Its objectives are to partner with firearm retailers and firing ranges to a) share guidelines on how to avoid selling or renting a firearm to a suicidal customer, and b) encourage firearm retailers and firing ranges to display and distribute printed suicide prevention materials tailored to their customers. Funded agencies may also identify firearm retailers and firearm ranges interested in obtaining and installing a gun safe in their facility to provide free firearm storage access for individuals within their communities. The Gun Shop Project is a supported strategy of the CSP program as it promotes protective environments for people at risk of suicide and self-harm and fosters safety by modifying access to lethal means in a time of crisis. The goal of this project is a partnership between gun shops/firearm retailers, firing ranges and community-based organizations working on suicide prevention, harm reduction, and community safety. The partnership must include a brick-and-mortar firearm retailer and/or firing range who will provide the service and the community-based partner who will serve to promote and support the efforts of The Gun Shop Project happening in the gun store/firing range and liaise with DHS. The aim of this funding is to support the implementation of Gun Shop Project Program in rural communities of Wisconsin, and to engage with DHS in a multi-sectoral partnership designed to support comprehensive suicide prevention efforts throughout Wisconsin. Selected applicants will work closely with DHS staff and the contracted evaluation partner to ensure evaluation of implemented activities.

Funded agencies will help advance the following priorities:

Ten percent reduction in suicide among males aged 25+ living in rural counties in Wisconsin
Increase partnership and collaboration related to suicide prevention statewide
Address shared risk and protective factors (i.e., factors increasing risk for suicide or preventing suicide)

Funding terms and conditions
This application is for an initial award period from February 1, 2024–September 14, 2024. Contracts will be awarded annually with the possibility of three contract renewals based on the availability of funds, and the ability of the grantee to meet all contractual objectives. Applicants should plan and budget for one year of funding. Carryover of funds into a second year may be possible based on the availability of funds and vendor performance.

DHS reserves the right to increase or decrease award levels and scope of individual contracts during the contract period, and/or reconfigure the program model at any time during the funding cycle based on the conditions noted above or a lack of adequate performance on the part of the grantee.

DHS may negotiate the terms of the award, including the award amount, with the selected applicant(s) prior to entering into a contract. If contract negotiations cannot be concluded successfully with a recommended applicant, DHS may terminate contract negotiations with that applicant.

The contracts resulting from this request for applications will be between DHS and the awarded applicant(s). Grantees using subcontractors will be responsible for ensuring subcontractors abide by all terms and conditions of the grant.

There is no match requirement for this grant.

Expected 12-month grant period
Year 1 (FY24): February 1, 2024 – September 14, 2024 (initial award)
Year 2 (FY25): September 15, 2024 – September 14, 2025 (contract renewal)
Year 3 (FY26): September 15, 2025 – September 14, 2026 (contract renewal)
Year 4 (FY27): September 15, 2026 – September 14, 2027 (contract renewal)

Funding Amount: Up to $50,000 annually

Number of Awards: one award

Eligibility
Eligible organizations include those with:

Knowledge of public health approaches to suicide prevention.
Experience implementing and monitoring suicide prevention programs.
Demonstrated ability to provide instruction to adults related to suicide prevention and/or safe firearm storage best practices.
Demonstrated cultural competence or familiarity with the needs and culture of rural communities.
Experience working with diverse populations.

Eligible organizations will practice inclusion and may not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability or national origin in their staffing policies, use of volunteers or provision of services.

Preference will be given to organizations that:

Demonstrate expertise in suicide prevention and harm reduction.
Demonstrate previous experience implementing safe firearm storage best practices for suicide prevention.
Demonstrate previous experience implementing and monitoring suicide prevention programs for men ages 25 and older.
Demonstrate previous experience implementing and monitoring suicide prevention programs for rural communities.
Demonstrate an accepting perspective on firearm culture including firearm ownership and usage.
Demonstrate existing partnerships with rural firearm retailers and firing ranges.

Expectations
Organizations receiving this award will be expected, at a minimum, to perform the following activities:

Partner with at least five firearm retailers/ranges to implement the Gun Shop Project in rural areas of Wisconsin.
Begin implementation of the Gun Shop Project with at least one firearm retailer/range within three to six months of receiving funding.
Attend regular grantee calls with DHS staff.
Provide quarterly progress reports related to strategy implementation and grant deliverables.
Participate in quarterly CSP partnership meetings.
Work closely with the evaluator and Injury Epidemiologist to assess progress on strategy implementation.
Participate in annual progress reporting to the CDC related to strategy implementation and progress.
Invoice DHS monthly.
Provide input on changes or improvements to strategy implementation as appropriate.