Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut (ESCREC) announced a major expansion of its Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Program (SSG Fox Program) in 2026, supported by an expansion award under the same federal grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). With this expanded funding, Easterseals has now received a total of $750,000 through the VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program to strengthen and broaden suicide prevention services for veterans, service members, and their families across Connecticut. With this expansion, Easterseals Veterans Rally Point now serves over 35,000 veterans living in 79 towns.
Originally launched in 2024 at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point in Norwich, the SSG Fox Program will now expand to Hartford County, allowing the organization to serve veterans in both eastern and central Connecticut through two dedicated locations in Norwich and Windsor. This expansion builds on the initial federal award announced in September 2024 by Joe Courtney, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, Congressman Joe Courtney, and Congressman John Larson and reflects the program’s early impact and the growing need for accessible, community-based suicide prevention and mental health supports for veterans. “This federal funding means Easterseals can now connect more Connecticut veterans to critical suicide prevention services.” said Senator Richard Blumenthal “Unfortunately, rates of veteran suicide are still shockingly high, proving how desperately needed these resources and care are. I am proud to support this effort and will keep fighting to provide robust mental health support for veterans.”
“This expansion allows us to meet and support veterans where they are, both geographically and emotionally,” said Robin Sharp, President and CEO of Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut. “By extending the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Program to Hartford County, we are strengthening a proven model of care that connects veterans and their families to the support, stability, and hope they deserve.”
Through the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Program, Easterseals will provide a coordinated outreach team of veterans serving veterans and wraparound model of care at both the Easterseals Veterans Rally Point at 24 Stott 24 Stott Ave, Norwich, CT and the Easterseals headquarters at 100 Deerfield Rd, Windsor CT, including:
Case Management
Veterans and their families work one-on-one with dedicated case managers to:
- Establish a baseline and set achievable goals
- Access housing support
- Find or maintain employment
- Connect to mental health services
- Receive short-term financial assistance
Support Groups and Relationship Building
- Veteran Serving Veteran model
- Skills Groups and community based activities
- Veteran centered spaces designed to reduce isolation and build connection
Benefits Assistance
Personalized guidance to help veterans understand, apply for, and access benefits and services through the VA, including:
- Healthcare enrollment
- Disability compensation
- Legal resources
- Mental health services
- Additional federal, state, and community supports
The expanded program advances Easterseals’ goal of creating a statewide model for veteran suicide prevention integrating case management, peer connection, and benefits navigation to reduce risk factors and save lives.
The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program is part of the VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide and supports community-based organizations working to address veteran suicide through outreach, connection, and evidence-informed care.
For more information about the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Program or to access services, veterans and military families are encouraged to contact Easterseals at vetshelp@escrec.org or call (860) 859-4151.
