Sources of Strength Funding Opportunity

The Colorado Office of School Safety (OSS), in partnership with the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office (AGO), is offering the 2025–2026 Sources of Strength Funding Opportunity. This initiative provides financial support to schools and youth-serving organizations to implement the nationally recognized Sources of Strength suicide prevention program, which focuses on peer-led strategies to promote connection, resilience, and help-seeking behaviors among youth. The program is grounded in evidence-based prevention science and is designed to reduce suicide, bullying, and substance misuse by strengthening protective factors and fostering a culture of care and belonging. Funding is available to cover both the initial implementation and the ongoing sustainability of the program. Specifically, OSP will provide funding for the initial training and licensing costs necessary to bring Sources of Strength to new schools or organizations. Initial training is conducted by National Trainers, while continued program delivery is supported by the development of Certified Local Trainers. This model ensures long-term sustainability and embeds capacity within the community. OSP will fund sites utilizing National Trainers for a maximum of three years, after which the expectation is that the school or organization transitions to implementation through Certified Local Trainers. Exceptions to the three-year limit may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Eligible applicants include Colorado-based schools, school districts, and youth-serving organizations committed to implementing the full Sources of Strength model. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a plan for long-term sustainability through the certification of local trainers and ongoing program integration. All applicants are expected to use program funds for eligible training and licensing expenses and to adhere to all reporting and evaluation requirements established by OSP. Applications must be submitted through the Office of School Safety’s online portal. There is no stated application fee. Funding is limited and competitive, and applicants are encouraged to apply early. The program timeline covers fiscal years 2025–2026, with training and implementation expected to begin during this period. Recipients will receive technical assistance from both the Office of Suicide Prevention and Sources of Strength staff throughout the grant cycle. For questions, applicants may contact Hana Fageeh at hana.fageeh@state.co.us (Office of Suicide Prevention) or Olivia Darrington at olivia@sourcesofstrength.org (Sources of Strength). More information about the Sources of Strength model is available at www.sourcesofstrength.org.

Emphasize long-term sustainability, collaboration with Local Trainers, and alignment with suicide prevention best practices