Approve year 2 Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Arizona Department of Education and Cochise County Schools for the Arizona Project Bright Futures Program, in the amount of $146,010, effective upon execution.

The IGA for year 1 of this project was approved at the 1/28/25 Board of Supervisor's meeting. 

The Arizona Project Bright Futures Program is designed to support states and tribes with implementing youth (up to age 24) suicide prevention and early intervention strategies in schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance-use programs, mental health programs, foster care systems, pediatric health programs, and other child and youth serving organizations. It is expected that this program will:
(1) increase the number of youth serving organizations who are able to identify and work with youth at risk of suicide;
(2) increase the capacity of clinical service providers to assess, manage, and treat youth at risk of suicide; and
(3) improve the continuity of care and follow-up of youth identified to be at risk for suicide, including those who have been discharged from emergency departments and inpatient psychiatric units. There is a strong importance in ensuring suicide prevention and early intervention project strategies are culturally and linguistically appropriate to all youth who represent the state of Arizona. The demonstration by Cochise County Education Service Agency (CCESA)is in Cochise County, which is in the southeastern corner of Arizona. The population of Cochise County is 54.6% White, 35.9% Hispanic or Latino, 4.4% Black or African American, 2.2% Asian, 1.9% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 3.6% two or more races (US Census Bureau, 2023). The total poverty rate in Cochise County is 17.7%, with a median household income of $58,421. In Cochise County, 22% of the population is comprised of children under the age of 18, and 25% of children live in poverty. It is intended that all youth served by CCESA will have access to the goals, activities, and resources proposed in this project, and there is potential to replicate activities in other rural counties in Arizona, therefore expanding the reach of impact of Arizona Project Bright Futures.
4) Purchase training materials.
This project will consist of a partnership between the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Cochise County Education Service Agency (CCESA), The Inter-tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), and The
University of Arizona (Arizona). The purpose of Arizona Project Bright Futures is to address the urgent needs around youth suicide in Arizona, specifically in rural and remote communities.

A grant coordinator/suicide trainer-educator to manage and implement Arizona Project Bright Futures in Cochise County was hired in March of 2025. This individual is tasked with working towards the following goals:
(1) Resources and support for staff in Cochise County schools
(2) resources and support for students
(3) Increased capacity and infrastructure
(4) Continuity of care data around youth access, referral, and services for suicide prevention and intervention and the number of staff trained to conduct suicide assessments will also be collected, as required by the funding opportunity.
Arizona Project Bright Futures is utilizing a train-the-trainer model to ensure suicide prevention and early intervention training opportunities are accessible in rural and remote communities in Arizona. Further, staff and students are being trained in suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention using evidence-based, culturally relevant, and linguistically appropriate programming and curriculum. Arizona Project Bright Futures also aims to develop and implement a universal response system for Arizona’s educational communities to utilize when referrals for youth with thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts occur, which includes a strong emphasis on continuity of care once youth have been stabilized.

If Cochise County Schools didn't receive funding from the Arizona Project Bright Futures, the impact on students, especially regarding suicide prevention, could be quite severe:
(1) Reduced Mental Health Support: Without the grant, schools might struggle to hire additional mental health professionals and paraprofessionals, leaving students without the necessary support.
(2) Limited Access to Programs: Programs like Sources of Strength and Signs of Suicide, which are crucial for suicide prevention, might be scaled back or eliminated, reducing the resources available to students in need.
(3) Increased Risk: Students in rural areas often face unique challenges, and without adequate support, the risk of suicide and mental health issues could increase.
(4) Strain on Existing Resources: The remaining mental health professionals and resources would be stretched thin, potentially leading to burnout and decreased effectiveness.
(5) Lowered Awareness: Without funding for awareness and education efforts, students and staff might be less informed about the signs of suicide and how to intervene, leading to missed opportunities for prevention.
(6) Overall, the absence of this funding could significantly impact the mental health and safety of students in Cochise County. It's crucial to ensure that these programs and resources remain available to support the well-being of all students.

Please sign IGA and return an electronic copy to the School Superintendent's Office.