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Fox Grant Reauthorization Advances
In case you missed last week's SVAC hearing, we've got you covered. Catch up before more news rolls out this week.
⚡NIMITZ NEWS FLASH⚡
In case you missed it last week, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) held a hearing on reauthorization proposals for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. A bill in the House is set to be marked up tomorrow.
CONTEXT
The Fox Grant Program, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, provides essential funding for mental health outreach in veteran communities. Established under the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2020, the program has distributed millions of dollars to community organizations, veterans service organizations (VSOs), and mental health providers nationwide. Without congressional action, the program is set to expire later this year.
Last week, SVAC reviewed four legislative proposals to expand and reauthorize the program. Leading the charge were Chairman Jerry Moran, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal, and Senators Mark Warner, John Boozman, Kevin Cramer, and Chris Coons.
Tomorrow, the House Veterans Affairs Committee will discuss the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act (H.R. 1969) during a full committee markup. Led by HVAC Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the bill would extend the Fox Grant Program for one year.
KEY REMARKS FROM A FOX GRANTEE
The Boulder Crest Foundation—a nationally recognized success story and client of the Nimitz Group—is one of many organizations supported by the Fox Grant Program. In their statement for the record submitted for last week’s hearing, CEO Josh Goldberg offered strong praise:
“From the outset, our experience with the VA under this grant has been collaborative, focused, and remarkably effective. The VA’s commitment to partnership, transparency, and capacity building has strengthened our work and allowed us to reach more veterans than ever before.
The Fox Grant Program represents a gold standard in public-private collaboration. It empowers community-based organizations to deliver results while maintaining rigorous accountability. It ensures veterans in crisis receive timely, effective care—not just clinical services, but true healing.
We are proud to be part of this effort and strongly support its reauthorization. Congress and this Committee have our deepest gratitude and our full support for the enhancements under consideration.”
Among the proposals under review, Boulder Crest expressed particular support for the HOPE for Heroes Act, which would extend the program for five years and raise the maximum grant award from $750,000 to $1 million.
In addition to funding increases, Boulder Crest recommended the following improvements to strengthen and scale the grant’s impact:
“Broadening eligibility criteria to recognize that veterans as a population are at heightened risk for suicide. We recommend that veteran status and an expressed interest in programs addressing significant mental health challenges be sufficient to qualify for support.
Expanding eligibility for the grant program through more inclusive suicide risk assessments. We urge the adoption of both the PHQ-9 and C-SSRS tools, rather than relying solely on one or the other. A dual-assessment model will ensure that no veteran in crisis or at serious risk of suicide is turned away.
Scaling what works. Whether through a “train the trainer” model or VA-funded training initiatives, successful programs like Warrior PATHH must be expanded and replicated through collaborative partnerships across the country.
Allowing successful reapplicants to reach more veterans nationwide. If the VA determines that an applicant reapplying to the grant program has demonstrated successful outcomes, and operates multiple locations that provide consistent, effective programs to veterans nationwide, the organization should be eligible to apply for and receive funding for each site.”
The Boulder Crest Foundation, alongside other grantees and VSOs, strongly supports congressional efforts to reauthorize and enhance this life-saving program.
To view their full statement for the record, please click below:
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RELEVANT LEGISLATION (LINKED)
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