Blue Star Families Inc

THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ANDEFFORTS IN NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, OUTREACH, AND EDUCATION THAT ARENOT COVERED UNDER OTHER SPECIFIC FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE MAIN PERFORMANCE GOALS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE TO PROVIDE PARK AND NATURE-BASED ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIALWELLBEING OF ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITHIN NATIONAL PARKS, PUBLIC LANDS, AND WATERWAYS.. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZATIONS, NON-FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC DECISION MAKERS, RESEARCH SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ANDEFFORTS IN NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THAT ARENOT COVERED UNDER OTHER SPECIFIC FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE HEALTHY MILITARY FAMILIES OUTDOORS PROGRAM SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY FAMILIES THROUGH POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCES WITH NATIONAL PARKS, PUBLIC LANDS, AND WATERWAYS ENCOURAGING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS, AS WELL AS EDUCATING FAMILIES ON BECOMING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS.. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLIC NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS ORGANIZATIONS, NON-FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES,INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC DECISION MAKERS, RESEARCH SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

NPS-FY21-WASO-NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, OUTREACH, AND EDUCATION

SERVING, THRIVING, AND READING TOGETHER (START): AMERICA250 [THE START FAMILY READING PROGRAM (SERVING, THRIVING, AND READING TOGETHER) SUPPORTS COMMUNITY-BUILDING EFFORTS AND ESTABLISHES LONG-LASTING CONNECTIONS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES ACROSS THE U.S. USING CAREFULLY SELECTED LITERATURE AND PICTURE BOOKS THAT SPARK DIALOGUE AND ENCOURAGE A SENSE OF BELONGING. BUILDING ON THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS, BLUE STAR FAMILIES PROPOSES TO LAUNCH A THREE-YEAR PROJECT TO INTRODUCE THREE NEW THEMATIC SERIES ALIGNED WITH OFFICIAL AMERICA250 THEMES: WE THE PEOPLE, AMERICAN SPIRIT, AND OUR AMERICAN STORY.]

RELEASED FUNDS FOR YEAR FOUR OF THE GRANT PROGRAM.

SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH OUTREACH, PROVISION OR COORDINATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES, AND CONNECTION TO VA AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES AS DESCRIBED IN 38 CFR PART 78 (HTTPS://WWW.ECFR.GOV/CURRENT/TITLE-38/CHAPTER-I/PART-78?TOC=1)

GRANTEE YEAR THREE FUNDING FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANTS PROVIDED BY SSG FOX SPGP. SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH OUTREACH, PROVISION OR COORDINATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES, AND CONNECTION TO VA AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES AS DESCRIBED IN 38 CFR PART 78

SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH OUTREACH, PROVISION OR COORDINATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES, AND CONNECTION TO VA AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES AS DESCRIBED IN 38 CFR PART 78 (HTTPS://WWW.ECFR.GOV/CURRENT/TITLE-38/CHAPTER-I/PART-78?TOC=1)

START (SERVING, THRIVING, AND READING TOGETHER)

THIS PROJECT CONNECTS MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO NATIONAL PARKS AND THE OUTDOORS, REDUCING SPECIFIC BARRIERS MILITARY FAMILIES FACE TO BENEFITING FROM PARKS. BLUE STAR FAMILIES WILL RECRUIT 120 MILITARY FAMILIES FOR COHORTS IN SEVEN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE US WHERE THERE ARE LARGE POPULATIONS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICEMEMBERS. THEY WILL PLAN AND EXECUTE A MENU OF INTRODUCTORY OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES SUCH AS FISHING, HIKING, AND BIRDING. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL HELP FAMILIES BUILD CONFIDENCE ACCESSING NATIONAL PARKS SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PARKS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. EACH COHORT WILL, AT MINIMUM, EXPERIENCE A VIRTUAL GET TO KNOW YOU EVENT, FOUR FACILITATED INTRODUCTORY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, A CAPSTONE OUTDOOR EVENT, AND RECEIVE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL MILITARY PASSES. FAMILIES WILL ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROJECTS IN NATIONAL PARKS TO HELP BUILD THEIR CONNECTION TO PARKS AND THE OUTDOORS.