Maryland Connected Communities Initiative (MCCI) - Project Abstract Applicant Organization: Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), Office of Suicide Prevention Project Title: Maryland Connected Communities Initiative (MCCI) Funding Opportunity: Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program (SM-26-010) The Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration, Office of Suicide Prevention, proposes the Maryland Connected Communities Initiative (MCCI), a statewide youth suicide prevention and early intervention initiative that will strengthen Maryland's capacity to identify, respond to, and support youth and young adults ages 10 to 24 at risk for suicide. MCCI integrates evidence-based screening, response and follow-up, training, family engagement, mentorship, and postvention across school systems, pediatric and public health settings, and youth workforce programs, beginning in 10 pilot jurisdictions that represent Maryland's geographic, demographic, and service-delivery diversity, with phased statewide expansion over the five-year project period. Across the project, MCCI will reach at least 25,000 youth, screen at least 10,000 for suicide risk, and train at least 2,500 adults. Although Maryland's overall suicide rate remains below the national average, its trajectory is worsening: suicide deaths rose in Maryland from 2023 to 2024 even as they declined nationally, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among Maryland residents ages 15 to 24. The clinical picture moves in two directions by sex. Males up to age 24 die by suicide at roughly four times the female rate, with firearms driving the gap, while females report substantially higher rates of seriously considering, planning, and attempting suicide. Only about 42 percent of Maryland high school students report having a caring adult they can talk to, and fatality reviews show that identified youth are frequently lost between services. MCCI addresses these gaps by building one coordinated statewide safety net. Project activities include standardized screening and referral workflows using validated tools; the Maryland Connected Communities Playbook; response and time-bound follow-up protocols; the MAPS Virtual Academy, which provides accessible, role-based suicide prevention training and technical assistance; family navigation and peer support in partnership with NAMI Maryland; youth leadership and mentorship initiatives; community implementation mini-grants; and independent evaluation with continuous quality improvement. The initiative leverages Maryland's existing prevention infrastructure while building sustainable systems that remain beyond the grant period. Funding supports one full-time Primary Prevention Suicide Coordinator and Project Director and a network of contracted partners, subject-matter experts, evaluators, and community organizations. MCCI's goals are to build sustainable statewide prevention capacity, increase protective factors, strengthen prevention and postvention readiness, deliver scalable training and technical assistance, and improve continuity of care. Year 1 is dedicated to planning and infrastructure, with implementation in Years 2 through 5. During each implementation year, MCCI will reach approximately 6,250 youth, screen approximately 2,500 youth, and train approximately 625 adults. Measurable objectives include referral and follow-up protocols in 100 percent of pilot sites, with follow-up at 48 hours, 7 days, and 30 days; greater youth connection to trusted adults; stronger postvention readiness; and improved continuity of care.
