HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity For Hope 2024 City of Oshkosh ARPA Grant
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Funding Application for Community for Hope
Community for Hope is spearheading an innovative approach to suicide prevention with Project Safeguard, a program
developed in collaboration with the Veterans Association (VA). This initiative focuses on promoting voluntary safe
storage and education for gun sellers, positioning it as a crucial intervention in the escalating mental health crisis. The
need for such a program is underscored by a 19.4% increase in mental health-related requests in Wisconsin,
highlighting an urgent demand for support systems that combat mental health stigma and foster a supportive
community environment.
Funding Project Safeguard will enable Community for Hope to address the heightened mental health challenges and
increased suicide risk exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing critical suicide prevention resources and
support in a time of greater isolation and stress. By focusing on safe storage and suicide prevention training for firearm
owners, the project directly targets a significant risk factor for suicide, which has become more pressing during the
pandemic.
To avoid duplicating benefits, Community for Hope employs a coordinated approach with local agencies, ensuring
efficient resource allocation and avoiding service redundancies. Unlike other organizations in Oshkosh, Community for
Hope stands out by offering certified QPR training and tailored prevention programs. These efforts are amplified
through partnerships with over 35 entities, including educational institutions, mental health groups, and government
agencies. This extensive collaboration, particularly with the Wisconsin Veterans Association and N.E.W Mental Health
Connection, exemplifies a community-wide effort to provide comprehensive care and support.
Project Safeguard represents a new venture for Community for Hope, aiming to utilize ARPA funds specifically for
developing suicide awareness and safe storage training for gun sellers. This includes creating educational materials,
hiring trainers, and purchasing storage solutions. The project directly benefits a broad spectrum of community
members, from at-risk individuals and suicide loss survivors to businesses and public health entities. By enhancing
awareness and training, Project Safeguard ensures widespread benefits through increased outreach and the promotion
of vital programs like QPR and support groups.
Estimating the exact number of suicides prevented is challenging, yet it's possible to approximate the impact by
considering the prevalence of gun ownership and the incidence of suicidal thoughts among gun owners in Wisconsin.
With approximately 47.1% of households in the state owning at least one firearm and a survey revealing that one in five
gun owners have experienced suicidal thoughts, applying these statistics to Oshkosh's population suggests that over
6,000 gun owners in the city could be at risk for suicide. This underscores the critical importance of targeted
intervention and support efforts like Project Safeguard.
The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the need for such initiatives. Project Safeguard's funding will address the
pandemic's mental health repercussions by enhancing support systems, promoting safe firearm practices, and aiming to
reduce suicide incidences during a time of increased vulnerability. Although this is a new program, the anticipated
outcomes include a higher participation rate among gun sellers in the voluntary safe storage program and an increase
in community members trained in suicide prevention.
Community for Hope ensures rigorous fiscal oversight and internal controls, with a finance committee from the Board of
Directors overseeing the segregation of ARPA funds for precise tracking and auditing. This meticulous financial
stewardship underpins the project's integrity and effectiveness.
Should the grant request not be fully funded, Community for Hope is prepared to prioritize essential services while
seeking additional support to bridge financial gaps. The project's budget, totaling $50,000 from ARPA funding and the
Basic Needs Giving Partnership, is meticulously planned to cover salaries, operational expenses, and program-specific
costs, excluding staff salaries. The ARPA funds are particularly earmarked for purchasing safe storage equipment and
conducting training sessions, focusing on non-staff related project expenses to ensure a direct impact on suicide
prevention efforts.
By December 31, 2024, Project Safeguard aims to have utilized these funds for comprehensive program
implementation, including marketing, trainer stipends, and other essential non-staff costs. This strategic use of
resources reflects Community for Hope's commitment to addressing mental health challenges and suicide prevention in
the wake of COVID-19, fostering a safer and more supportive community environment.