Zero Suicide Initiative Coordinating Center | HHS 2022 IHS ZSICC 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2022 IHS ZSICC 0001

The Zero Suicide Initiative Coordinating Center grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: HHS 2022 IHS ZSICC 0001) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Indian Health Service (IHS). Its main goal is to strengthen and support Zero Suicide Initiative (ZSI) projects across Indian health systems by helping them build lasting capacity to prevent suicide and improve care for people who may be at risk. The focus is on a comprehensive approach that is culturally informed and designed to work across multiple settings in Indian Country, recognizing that suicide prevention needs to be integrated into the broader health system rather than treated as a standalone program.

At the center of this funding is the creation of a ZSI Coordinating Center that functions as a hub for technical assistance. Instead of directly providing clinical services, the Coordinating Center is meant to help participating ZSI projects and Indian health programs improve how they collect and use data, meet reporting expectations, train staff, access and develop practical resources, and implement the Zero Suicide approach more effectively. Because this is a cooperative agreement, it implies an active partnership with the federal agency, with ongoing collaboration and shared involvement in implementing the work rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

The technical assistance provided by the Coordinating Center is expected to be structured around the Seven Elements of the Zero Suicide model developed by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). These elements describe how health systems can organize themselves to reduce suicide risk among people receiving care. The first element, Lead, emphasizes building a leadership-driven, safety-oriented culture that is committed to dramatically reducing suicide among patients, and it specifically calls for including survivors of suicide attempts and suicide loss in leadership and planning roles. The second element, Train, centers on developing a workforce that is competent, confident, and compassionate, so staff have the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately to suicide risk. The third element, Identify, is about systematically identifying and assessing suicide risk among people receiving care, which points to consistent screening and assessment practices rather than relying on chance disclosures or inconsistent clinician judgment.

The remaining elements focus on what happens once risk is identified and how care is sustained over time. Engage requires that every individual has a clear pathway to timely and adequate care, including collaborative safety planning and efforts to restrict access to lethal means. Treat highlights the use of evidence-based treatments that directly target suicidal thoughts and behaviors, reinforcing that general mental health care may not be sufficient on its own if it does not address suicidality directly. Transition stresses continuous contact and support, especially after acute care, when risk can remain high; this typically means structured follow-up, warm handoffs, and proactive outreach during high-risk periods. Finally, Improve calls for a data-driven quality improvement approach, using ongoing measurement to guide system changes that result in better outcomes and stronger care processes for those at risk.

In practical terms, the grant is aimed at helping Indian health systems adopt a consistent, organized, and measurable suicide prevention framework that fits their settings and communities. By investing in a Coordinating Center that provides data, training, and implementation support, IHS is trying to reduce variation in how suicide risk is handled and help programs move toward a more reliable standard of care across clinics, hospitals, and other points of contact in the system.

Key administrative details include an award ceiling of $500,000 and an expectation of one award. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and other applicants as described in the opportunitys additional eligibility guidance. The opportunity was created on April 11, 2022, with an original application closing date of July 6, 2022, and it is listed under CFDA number 93.654 in the health funding category.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Zero Suicide Initiative Coordinating Center" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.654.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 11, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 06, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2022 IHS ZSICC 0001

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