**The application deadline is EXTENDED to Monday, September 9, 2024.**

    August 2024

     Mark Your Calendar: 988 Day Is Coming! 
What Is 988 Day?
988 Day is an annual event starting in 2024. It is dedicated to creating positive buzz and raising awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) across the country. This unique day serves as an opportunity to spotlight the 988 Lifeline and promote mental health and suicide prevention in communities nationwide. With a new tradition kicking off on September 8, 2024, this day will celebrate and amplify the message of 988 to ensure that everyone knows there is help available without judgment.
Goal: Building Awareness
The goal of 988 Day is simple yet powerful: to raise awareness of 988 in fun, creative ways and start an annual tradition that grows year after year. Whether you're a mental health advocate, a local community member, or someone passionate about mental wellness, 988 Day is a time to engage and spread the word about this life-saving resource.
Click here to read more about how you can help celebrate 988 Day and spread the word about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in your community.

    Vibrant Commends Senate Budget Language for FY 2025
The Senate Appropriations Committee has released their FY 2025 funding levels for the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Services funding line, where the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) program resides. The Committee’s recommendation of $539.5 million in funding for the 2025 fiscal year, a significant $20 million increase from the previous year, is a testament to their confidence in the 988 Lifeline’s service and Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant)’s unwavering commitment to a gold standard of care. 
To read more about the Senate FY 2025 budget report, click here.

    Vibrant Reinforces Support for Georouting in FCC Reply to Comments
In April 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a proposed rule on georouting solutions for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline). The proposed mandate would transition the 988 Lifeline from a routing system based on a caller’s area code to a geographic-based routing system. It is important to note that the referenced geographic location is based on cell phone tower information rather than a caller’s specific cell phone coordinates. This geographic boundary-based routing will allow help-seekers to connect with local resources while maintaining the privacy of individuals who use the 988 Lifeline.
Read more about the proposed georouting solutions here.  

     Celebrating Two Years of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: A Milestone of Hope and Progress
On July 16, 2024, the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) celebrated its second anniversary with a special webinar hosted in collaboration with Mental Health America (MHA). Since the 988 Lifeline transitioned to the easy-to-remember 988 dialing code in July 2022, a change that significantly improved its accessibility and ease of use, it has played a pivotal role in providing support to individuals experiencing suicide, mental health, and substance use crises across the country.
Hosted by Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant)’s AVP of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Laura Evans, the webinar not only highlighted the 988 Lifeline’s progress over the past two years and its additions to its services but also underscored its profound impact on countless lives, inspiring hope and a sense of purpose in the audience. 
The esteemed speakers were Monica Johnson, Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a key figure in the coordination and implementation of the Lifeline, and Dr. Tia Dole, Chief 988 Officer at Vibrant Emotional Health, a leading expert in mental health crisis response and a driving force behind the 988 Lifeline’s success. 
Click here to read more about the 988 Lifeline's successes during the past two years and goals for the future,

    Vibrant Participates in FCC Forum on Direct Video Accessibility 
On Jul 30, 2024, Vibrant Emotional Health’s (Vibrant's) Chief 988 Officer, Dr. Tia Dole, participated in an FCC Forum on Direct Video Calling. 
Direct Video Calling is an Internet-based communication service that allows conversations between two callers using American Sign Language (ASL) without needing translation services.
Vibrant, as a part of our role as the Administrator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline), launched Direct Video Calling availability for the 988 Lifeline in September 2023. 
Click here to see a photo and read about who else spoke on the panel.

    AD Council Research Institute's Study on Effective Communication for Communities Disproportionately Impacted by Suicide
The Ad Council Research Institute (ACRI), in partnership with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Research Center, recently released their study, “Messaging and Communications to Trusted Messengers of People Disproportionately Impacted by Suicide.” 
With the transition to 988 came the need for formative research among groups of people that are disproportionately impacted by suicide to help inform 988-specific communications that are culturally sensitive, responsive, effective, and successful with the intent of increasing awareness of 988 as a resource to populations most affected by suicide and to instill trust and confidence in 988 as a service to those experiencing a mental health crisis or managing symptoms of a mental illness. 
You can read more about this important research here.

    Reflections from Politico’s Finding Balance: What’s Next for Social Security?
New York State Policy Manager for Vibrant Emotional Health, Lisa Elder, alongside Katie Keys, our dedicated Public Policy Coordinator, had the privilege of attending Politico’s and AARP’s event, “Finding Balance: What’s Next for Social Security?” This event underscored the critical challenges facing Social Security, a lifeline for millions of older Americans, and highlighted the urgent need for solutions to sustain this essential program.
Social Security plays a pivotal role in ensuring older adults’ financial security and well-being. It keeps over 16 million Americans aged 65 and above out of poverty each year, with 40% relying on these benefits for at least half of their income. However, the system is facing significant financial strain, and without timely interventions, beneficiaries could see their hard-earned Social Security benefits cut by 20% or more by 2035.
Read more about this conversation on Social Security here.

    Vibrant Emotional Health Acquires Stars of HOPE to Enhance Community Healing Through Art
Vibrant Emotional Health, a leading non-profit dedicated to mental health, has acquired Stars of HOPE (SOH), a program from the New York Says Thank You Foundation. This acquisition strengthens Vibrant’s mission by integrating SOH’s evidence-based disaster response therapeutic arts program, which supports survivors through art and healing sessions. Since 2007, SOH has played a pivotal role in helping communities recover from tragedy by promoting peer-to-peer support, compassion, and kindness through art, using creativity and kindness to foster healing.
Through this acquisition, Vibrant plans to expand SOH by increasing volunteer engagement with hospitals, schools, and corporations. This expansion will provide hope and healing to diverse communities affected by disaster and tragedy, encouraging collective action and empathy. 
Read more about Vibrant's acquisition of this remarkable program here.

    Notice of Funding Opportunities
Community-Based Maternal BHS Modified Announcement
The application deadline is EXTENDED to Monday, September 9, 2024.

The purpose of this program is to improve access to evidence-based, timely, and culturally relevant maternal mental health and substance use (behavioral health) intervention and treatment by strengthening community referral pathways. Recipients will be expected to collaborate with pregnancy and postpartum healthcare organizations, refer individuals in need of behavioral health care to the appropriate entities, and provide short-term mental health and substance use services to individuals who cannot access care. Find more information here.

CCBHC Planning Grants Modified Announcement

The application deadline is Thursday, September 12, 2024.

The purpose of this program is to support states in developing and implementing certification systems for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), establish Prospective Payment Systems for Medicaid reimbursable behavioral health services, and prepare an application to participate in a four-year CCBHC Demonstration program. Find more information here.

    What's Happening This Month in the States...
Click here to see the state legislation affecting mental health in your state. 

    Find and Connect with Your Elected Officials Using our Action Center and Advocacy Toolkit!
Have you built relationships with your elected officials to help you advocate? Was a new individual elected into office for your district? Now is the perfect time to introduce yourself or your organization and begin building relationships!
Click here to connect with your elected officials and learn about other free resources for advocating for your or your organization's needs.

    For more information...
The Vibrant Public Policy & Government Affairs Department is excited to provide free access to our monthly newsletter. We also offer free online resources created for individuals or organizations seeking legislative information to empower them to advocate for mental and emotional well-being.
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