For More Information:
Deana Chase, LICSW, ACM, CCM
Quality Improvement Specialist - Suicide Care Initiatives
deanac@vpqhc.org
Quality Improvement Specialist - Suicide Care Initiatives
deanac@vpqhc.org
Funded By:
Vermont Department of Health
Vermont Department of Mental Health
Four Pines Fund
Vermont Department of Mental Health
Four Pines Fund
Building a Compassionate Postvention System in Vermont
VPQHC serves as the program manager for Vermont’s Postvention Pilot Project, launched in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health, Vermont Department of Mental Health, and Four Pines Fund, to strengthen how communities respond after a suicide, an essential but often underdeveloped part of suicide prevention. The pilot supports five regional teams exploring two national models: LOSS Teams, which offer immediate peer support to those impacted by suicide loss, and the CONNECT Program, which helps communities coordinate long term postvention planning.
Each team receives training and technical assistance. While programs are not yet fully launched, all five regions have developed draft plans and express strong commitment to continuing the work. The pilot reveals high levels of community engagement, alongside key barriers, especially limited funding and staffing capacity.
The evaluation outlines findings and offers recommendations to help Vermont build a coordinated, trauma responsive postvention system. By combining peer led response with community wide planning, Vermont is working toward a model that provides compassionate support to loss survivors and strengthens long term healing and prevention.
Each team receives training and technical assistance. While programs are not yet fully launched, all five regions have developed draft plans and express strong commitment to continuing the work. The pilot reveals high levels of community engagement, alongside key barriers, especially limited funding and staffing capacity.
The evaluation outlines findings and offers recommendations to help Vermont build a coordinated, trauma responsive postvention system. By combining peer led response with community wide planning, Vermont is working toward a model that provides compassionate support to loss survivors and strengthens long term healing and prevention.
