The Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council was formed under legislation signed into law in January 2004. The 17 members of the Council meet monthly to examine existing needs and services and make recommendations to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for youth suicide reporting, prevention and intervention. The Council also advises DCF on the content of informational materials to be made available to persons who report attempted or completed suicides.

Along with the Council, DCF works to develop and publicize public awareness campaigns on youth suicide prevention and intervention, and to compile data about reported attempted and completed suicides by youths in the State, without identifying any individuals involved. A report by DCF is also issued annually to the council, the Governor and the Legislature containing a summary of the data compiled by the division that includes aggregate demographic information about youths who attempt or complete suicide.