Pulaski Times

U.S. Senators John Boozman and Mark Warner have introduced legislation aimed at renewing and expanding funding for mental health outreach and suicide prevention in veteran communities. This initiative, known as the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, was originally part of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act.

Since 2020, the Fox Grant Program has allocated $174 million to community and veteran service organizations, as well as mental health care providers nationwide, to address the veteran suicide crisis. Senator Boozman emphasized the importance of reauthorizing this funding, stating, "Veterans who struggle with mental health have responded well to support provided by those they know and trust."

Senator Warner highlighted the program's role in supporting life-saving mental health outreach efforts. "For the past several years, the Staff Sergeant Fox Grant Program has played an invaluable role getting organizations already doing life-saving mental health outreach more support," he said.

The proposed legislation seeks to extend the program until September 30, 2028, increasing its total authorized funding from $174 million to $285 million. It also aims to expand the maximum potential award from $750,000 to $1.25 million and mandates additional measures for outcome assessment by the VA.

The bill has garnered strong backing from Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Blue Star Families. Joy Craig from VFW stated that increasing grant amounts while improving oversight will help ensure resources reach those in need. Kathy Roth-Douquet of Blue Star Families described the program as a lifeline for veterans facing invisible wounds of service.

The program is named after Parker Gordon Fox, a former sniper instructor who died by suicide in 2020 at age 25. Veteran suicide remains a significant issue; it is the second-leading cause of death for veterans under 45.