Participant Safety
Safety is not an afterthought. It is the foundation on which every grant decision is built.
Thrive Grant works with people navigating real challenges. We take that responsibility seriously. Every element of our program — from screening to provider selection to crisis protocols — is designed with participant wellbeing as the primary constraint. This page describes our safety framework in full.
Important: We tell every participant to keep their existing providers. The grant funds access to an additional program. It does not replace any existing care, relationship, or support system.
Screening Criteria
Not everyone is eligible for a Thrive Grant. We screen applicants carefully to ensure the program is appropriate for their current situation.
Who May Be Eligible
- Adults 18 and over
- Individuals who have completed a validated assessment (TRA-70)
- People who are stable enough to participate safely in an intensive growth program
- Individuals without active contraindications as assessed by the independent provider
- People who have disclosed relevant medical and psychiatric history
Who Is NOT Eligible
- Individuals with active suicidal ideation with plan or intent
- People in acute psychiatric crisis at time of application
- Individuals with active psychosis or psychotic symptoms
- People with certain cardiovascular conditions as assessed by a licensed professional
- Individuals currently using medications with known contraindications (per provider assessment)
- People with active or recent (within 12 months) manic episodes
- Individuals under 18 years of age
- People who are currently pregnant or nursing (pending provider guidance)
- Individuals who have not completed the full screening assessment
Final eligibility is always determined by the independent licensed provider — not by Thrive Grant staff.
Crisis Protocol
Every participant has access to a clearly communicated escalation pathway before, during, and after their program.
On-Call Licensed Professional
Every program session includes an on-call licensed mental health professional. This individual is present or reachable throughout the experience. Their role is not administrative — it is clinical. They have authority to pause or end a session at any time.
Immediate Escalation Pathway
If a participant shows signs of distress beyond what can be managed on-site, there is a documented escalation pathway: the on-call professional contacts emergency services and notifies the participant's designated emergency contact. This pathway is reviewed with every participant before their session begins.
Post-Session Support Window
Providers are required to offer a post-session integration period and follow-up contact. Participants are given crisis line numbers (including 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and provider direct contact information before leaving any session.
30-Day Check-In
Independent evaluators contact participants at 30 days post-program to assess wellbeing and flag any concerns. This data feeds into our outcomes reporting and informs program safety reviews.
Provider Independence
Thrive Grant does not employ, direct, or manage the licensed professionals who deliver programs. Every provider is independently licensed in their state of practice, carries their own liability insurance, and exercises their own clinical judgment at all times.
The foundation's role is to fund access. What happens in a session between a licensed professional and their client is governed by the provider's professional obligations, licensing board standards, and applicable law — not by Thrive Grant policy.
This separation is intentional. It protects participants. It protects providers. And it ensures that no financial relationship compromises clinical judgment.
We do not tell providers what to do in sessions. We fund the cost of accessing their independently-licensed services.
Documentation & Oversight
Incident Reporting
All adverse events — including hospitalizations, serious adverse reactions, or deaths in the period following a grant program — are documented and reviewed. Thrive Grant maintains a confidential incident log reviewed quarterly by our safety advisors.
Provider Vetting
Providers must hold a current, unencumbered license in their state of practice. We verify licensure status before and during the grant period. Providers with disciplinary actions or revoked licenses are not eligible to participate.
Informed Consent
Every participant signs a comprehensive informed consent document before beginning any program. This document describes the nature of the experience, known risks, the voluntary nature of participation, and the right to withdraw at any time without consequence.
Data Privacy
Outcomes data is anonymized before being included in any published results. Participant identities are never shared publicly. All data is stored securely and used only for the purposes described in the consent document.
Safety Review
At the conclusion of each grant cycle, we conduct a formal safety review. Any protocol weaknesses identified are addressed before the next cycle opens. Our safety framework is a living document — it improves with each iteration.
Existing Provider Continuity
We explicitly encourage every participant to maintain relationships with their existing mental health and medical providers throughout the grant program. Our program is not a replacement for existing care — it is an addition to it.
Questions About Safety?
If you have specific concerns about participant safety, our protocols, or a safety incident, contact us directly. We take every inquiry seriously and respond personally.
Contact Our Safety TeamReady to Learn More?
Explore how we select participants, measure outcomes, and fund programs — or get involved directly.