The Directing Change Program & Film Contest is thrilled to announce a new Mini Grant Opportunity! The Directing Change Program & Film Contest engages students to learn about suicide prevention, mental health and other critical health and social justice topics by creating short films and art projects that are used to support awareness, education, and advocacy efforts across the state, in their communities, and on their campuses. This free and evaluated program has been implemented in California schools for 10 years. Students have a chance to win cash prizes and participate in an award ceremony. View the flyer here.
 
Eligible Organizations: Middle and high schools. Participating youth should be in grades 6-12. Public, private, and charter schools and districts are all eligible to apply.
 
Mini Grant Funding: $1,500
 
Requirements:

• Facilitate participation of at least one classroom in the Directing Change program during the 2021-22 school year, resulting in a minimum of 5 film submissions to the annual suicide prevention and mental health film contest (submission deadline March 1, 2022). In addition, students are encouraged, but not required, to also submit to monthly art contests. 
• Teach at least one Directing Change lesson plan on mental health or suicide prevention. This requirement can be met by inviting a Directing Change team member to present a lesson plan virtually. Lesson plans are available for free download on the Directing Change website.
• Added requirement for previously funded mini grant teams: Develop a marketing plan to promote the Directing Change program on their campus and encourage other youth to create art and films around suicide prevention or mental health.
• Plan and implement a student-led mental health or suicide prevention awareness event on campus or virtually which includes screening of the youth-produced films to peers and/or parents by May 2022.
• Submit a final report documenting mini grant activities by June 1, 2022.

 In addition to the mini grant funding, the Directing Change Team will provide ongoing support, including meetings with advisors and youth, reviewing storyboards, helping facilitate virtual lessons for classes, and providing feedback for the mental health or suicide prevention awareness event on campus. For in-person events, an event kit with resources can be provided upon request.
 
Interested? Complete these steps by Monday, November 1, 2021:

• Step 1: Complete this application form with your contact information: https://directingchangeca.org/2022-directing-change-mini-grant-opportunity/
• Step 2: Submit W-9 form as part of your application. 

 Questions? Email devin@directingchange.org.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Directing Change is part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students. These initiatives are funded by counties through the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) and administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

For more information visit: DirectingChangeCA.org.
 
Warmly,
The Directing Change Team