Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana: Gun Safety

This grant application seeks $10,000 from the Lake County Health Department to fund a pilot “Gun Safety Education for Families with Children” program. The initiative targets parents and caregivers in Lake County, especially BIPOC and low‑income families, and will deliver quarterly training sessions (both in‑person and virtual), distribute 250 free firearm lock boxes, and train MHANWI home‑visitor staff on gun‑safety counseling. The program aligns with the “Trauma & Injury Prevention” core public health service and includes quarterly performance reporting and KPI tracking. Key elements include: • Quarterly training sessions (2 in‑person, 2 virtual) for up to 500 parents/caregivers. • Distribution of 250 gun‑lock devices and education on safe‑storage practices. • Training of 50 MHANWI staff members to incorporate gun‑safety discussions into home visits. • Partnership with Griffith Police Department, Griffith Public Schools, and local community action teams. • Quarterly reporting to LCHD covering deliverables, outcomes, and continuous quality improvement.