PEORIA (25News Now) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding $2,078,053 in grants for community organizations in Illinois aimed at suicide prevention.
Illinois Joining Forces, is one of six community organizations receiving some of these funds.
These grants are a part of the Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
The VA said suicide prevention is a top clinical priority. In 61% of veteran suicides, they were not receiving VA healthcare in the last year of their lives. The organization said that’s why they’re connecting with community partners, to try and bridge the gap in care.
In a statement to 25News, Illinois Joining Forces said:
“This funding allows us to intervene earlier in veteran suicide prevention, helping veterans and military families address challenges before they reach a crisis point. Whether someone needs housing, financial assistance, health care or help understanding benefits they may not even know they qualify for, Illinois Joining Forces helps them navigate the system and connects them with the right resources close to home.
For example, we recently worked with the family of a deployed Navy service member whose daughter developed a life-changing illness requiring long-term hospital care. As the family’s resources became strained, we helped connect them with support for food, transportation, parking and other expenses so they could focus on their daughter. That’s what working upstream looks like. It’s helping military and veteran families navigate difficult moments and access resources they may not know are available to them.”
Illinois Joining Forces
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