Code of Support Named Finalist in VA’s Mission Daybreak Challenge, Receives $250,000 Award

Code of Support Foundation is proud to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in the Mission Daybreak 20 million dollar challenge to reduce veteran suicides. Launched earlier this year by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, this groundbreaking challenge aims to finally drive down the number of veterans lost to suicide each year through new, innovative solutions in the private sector. More than 1,300 organizations and institutions from across the nation submitted proposals, and Code of Support was selected as one of only 30 finalists.  

Mission Daybreak finalists each receive a cash award of $250,000 and two months of intensive work with a mentor team to refine their innovations. Final presentations will be made in November with two ultimate winners each receiving $3 million in funds to launch their project. Code of Support wishes to thank its supporters, donors, and funders for their ongoing support for our mission to connect every member of the military, veteran, caregiver, and their families to the support they need and have earned through their service and sacrifice.  

As many of those we serve know all-too-well, suicide is a problem that continues to plague our community. Each day in the US, 17 veterans will take their own life. Veterans are 1.5 times as likely to die by suicide. Despite countless efforts and billions of dollars spent, we’re still losing veterans to suicide at an alarming rate. The time is now for new and innovative solutions to support those at risk for suicide in our military and veteran communities. 

“As a military spouse, I experienced first-hand the impact of suicide on our families who serve,” said Kristy Kaufmann, COSF’s co-Founder and CEO. “It is a problem whose solution has so-far eluded military leadership, the VA, and veteran service organizations alike.  We know that Code of Support’s unique approach to direct case management supported by our national PATRIOTlink® network can and does save lives. Through the Mission Daybreak Challenge, we propose a radical expansion of PATRIOTlink to target those at risk for suicide, intervene upstream with holistic solutions addressing the social determinants of health, and interrupt the downward spiral that can claim the lives of those heroes who have served our country. They deserve better, and together we can do this.”

Code of Support will celebrate the impact of our work and share more about our innovative solution for the Mission Daybreak Challenge at our upcoming Toast to Our Troops Awards Gala in Washington, DC and national broadcast on Oct. 6, 2022 at 7pm.  It is free to RSVP for Toast to Our Troops at:  https://www.codeofsupport.org/events/ttot22/

Learn more about the Mission Daybreak challenge at https://www.missiondaybreak.net/.   

Reporters covering this issue may download VA’s Safe Messaging Best Practices fact sheet or visit ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide.

Code of Support is a 501c3 nonprofit charity in service to members of the military, veterans, caregivers, and their families, and works to ensure all who serve receive the benefits and resources they have earned. We offer direct case management support to families in need or at risk, and operate the network of no-cost, vetted, and verified military and veteran resources:  PATRIOTlink.org.