National Veterans Transition Services received $307,395 through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program to support community-based suicide prevention services for Veterans in San Diego County. (Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Smith)
The VA has awarded more than $10.45 million to 18 organizations serving California Veterans through a federal program supporting suicide prevention outside traditional VA medical settings.
The funding comes through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and became available with the start of fiscal year 2027. California organizations will use the grants for services that can include mental health screening, peer support, case management, suicide prevention education, benefits assistance, and help with urgent needs that may increase a Veteran’s risk of suicide.
The program focuses on reaching Veterans who are not connected with VA healthcare. It also allows community organizations to address problems such as financial hardship, isolation, transportation, access to care, and other issues that can affect a Veteran’s well-being.
The grants are designed to support local organizations that already work directly with Veterans in their communities. By funding services outside VA medical facilities, the program can reach Veterans who may be reluctant to seek care through VA or who need help with problems that extend beyond medical treatment.
Several Southern California organizations received awards. The County of Los Angeles, Goodwill Industries of Southern California, and Tarzana Treatment Centers each received $750,000. Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled received $579,362, Volunteers of America Los Angeles received $450,000, and NAMI Westside LA received $350,000.
Orange County recipients include Child Guidance Center, which received $663,114, and Brain Resilience Foundation, which received $476,425. San Diego County organizations include TCNU Inc. with $750,000, National Veterans Transition Services with $307,395, and Zero8Hundred with $279,181.
Other awards include $750,000 for Peer Recovery Services in San Joaquin County, $750,000 for WellSpace Health in the Sacramento region, and $750,000 for WestCare California, which serves Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties. Nation’s Finest received $562,500 to serve Lake, Marin, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties.
Transitions-Mental Health Association received $725,480 to serve Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Veterans Accession House received $749,993 for Solano and Contra Costa counties. Blue Star Families was awarded $750,000 for work across several states, including services for Veterans in San Diego County.
Nationwide, VA awarded $111.9 million to 191 organizations for fiscal year 2027. The Parker Gordon Fox program began awarding grants in 2022 and has distributed $322 million to 218 organizations across 49 states, U.S. territories, and Tribal lands.
The program commemorates Army Veteran Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox, who died by suicide in 2020 at age 25. Congress created the program through the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act to expand community-based suicide prevention for Veterans, Service Members, and their families.
Veterans experiencing a crisis can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
