NSCHN grants in 2021 will address the impacts of social isolation and the corresponding rise in behavioral and mental health needs of older adults and youth/adolescents as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Given the limited nature of our funds, we are especially interested in the impact of funds to make a demonstrable difference in mental and behavioral health outcomes for our target populations.  In line with our focus on equity, we will prioritize applications that address health disparities by delivering enhanced programs and services to our most-impacted and under-resourced communities.  This includes, in particular, lower income, BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) and non-native-English speaking populations.  We are also interested in work that demonstrably improves the delivery of culturally-responsive programming by addressing staffing and training needs within youth- and elder-serving organizations.

Examples of qualifying applications could include (not an exhaustive list):

• Universal prevention strategies and skill building to promote resilience and connection, including both peer to peer and youth to adult
• Evidence-based models addressing risk behavior, substance use, grief and loss
• Suicide-prevention models
• Programs that bring services directly to impacted groups where they are (youth centers, schools, senior centers, housing complexes etc.)
• Programs that address the digital divide
• Companionship programs for isolated older adults