Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying, and Training Suicide Prevention Hotlines and Disaster Distress Helpline | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is this funding opportunity?

This is the FY 2015 Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying, and Training Suicide Prevention Hotlines and the National Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH). It is a SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services discretionary funding opportunity designed to support national-level work to operate and strengthen two 24/7 crisis response systems: the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Disaster Distress Helpline.

2. What is the main purpose of the award?

The purpose is to improve how crisis calls, chats, and texts are answered; strengthen training and support for crisis responders; improve quality and consistency across participating crisis centers; and ensure people in crisis are rapidly connected to appropriate local emergency, mental health, and social service resources.

3. How many awards did SAMHSA expect to make?

SAMHSA expected to make a single award (one national awardee).

4. What is the funding amount and maximum award size?

The estimated total funding amount is $6,211,000, and the award ceiling is $6,211,000. No award floor is stated.

5. Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

6. What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement indicates SAMHSA anticipated substantial federal involvement and active collaboration with the recipient. The recipient is expected to work closely with SAMHSA on national-level responsibilities such as network management, certification standards, training, quality improvement, and coordinated disaster response capacity.

7. What systems does this cooperative agreement support?

The cooperative agreement supports two major, always-on crisis response systems: (1) the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and (2) the National Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH).

8. What is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in this announcement?

The Lifeline is described as a 24-hour, confidential suicide prevention hotline and chat network available nationwide. It is widely known through its primary toll-free number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

9. How are callers connected through the Lifeline number?

The Lifeline uses routing technology to connect callers anywhere in the United States to the certified crisis center responder geographically closest to them.

10. Is the grant only about keeping the Lifeline phone number operating?

No. The intent is not simply to keep the number operating, but to manage and enhance the full network of local crisis centers that take calls. This includes ensuring centers meet certification expectations, use consistent evidence-informed approaches, and can effectively intervene, provide emotional support, assess risk, and link callers to appropriate local services (including emergency services when needed).

11. What is the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH)?

The DDH is described as a free and confidential 24/7 crisis support service for people experiencing distress related to disasters and traumatic events.

12. How can people reach the DDH?

People can reach the DDH by calling 1-800-985-5990. Text-based support is also available by texting TalkWithUs to 66746.

13. How is the DDH different from the broader Lifeline function?

The DDH is positioned to surge and respond during and after disasters, connecting affected residents to trained crisis responders through a dedicated sub-network of Lifeline crisis centers. It is focused specifically on disaster- and trauma-related distress and on scaling capacity during emergencies.

14. What kinds of services does the DDH aim to provide during and after disasters?

The DDH aims to increase state and local capacity after emergencies by providing crisis counseling, information about available resources, and referrals to local supports based on the caller's geographic location.

15. What communication channels are emphasized for service delivery?

The announcement emphasizes improving the handling of calls, chats, and texts, and it highlights maintaining consistent service quality across locations and modes of contact, including phone and text (and the Lifeline chat network).

16. What are the key national-level responsibilities supported by this award?

The announcement highlights responsibilities such as network management, certification standards, training, quality improvement, and coordinated disaster response capacity across the national crisis response system.

17. What does the opportunity say about consistency and evidence-informed practice?

A recurring theme is improving public access and consistency by promoting a consistent, evidence-informed approach to hotline and text services throughout the network, alongside certification expectations for participating crisis centers.

18. Does the opportunity address behavioral health disparities?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly highlights behavioral health disparities and encourages applicants to implement strategies that reduce differences in access, service use, and outcomes among racial and ethnic minority populations served.

19. What factors does the announcement mention as shaping vulnerability during disasters?

The announcement notes that vulnerability during disasters is shaped by social and economic factors such as where someone lives, poverty level, age, unemployment, and gender-related caregiving burdens.

20. Why does the announcement emphasize addressing post-disaster stress and anxiety?

It emphasizes that untreated post-disaster anxiety and stress can worsen over time, increasing personal, social, and economic costs.

21. What is the funding instrument and activity category?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the activity category is a health activity.

22. When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on January 16, 2015. The original and current closing date is March 18, 2015. The archive date is April 17, 2015.

23. What is the authorizing statute for this program?

The program is authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

24. Is this opportunity connected to Healthy People 2020?

Yes. The opportunity is linked to Healthy People 2020 objectives within the Mental Health and Mental Disorders topic area.

25. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. The statute prohibits awards to for-profit agencies.

26. What are examples of eligible applicant types?

Examples listed include state and local governments, federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribes and tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, public or private universities and colleges, and national, community, and faith-based organizations.

27. Are consortia of tribes or tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Consortia of tribes or tribal organizations may apply as long as each participating entity indicates approval.

28. What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.243 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance).

29. What is the stated scope of the effort?

The scope is national in nature, focusing on building, coordinating, and improving systems that affect crisis response capacity across the United States, including routine operations and disaster surge response.

30. Who was the listed grant management contact for help accessing the full announcement?

The listed grant management contact was Gwendolyn Simpson in SAMHSA's Office of Financial Resources, Division of Grants Management (contact information was provided in the notice).