Wisconsin 988 improvement project - the wisconsin 988 improvement project will work to provide needed expansion of crisis center workforce to meet current and future 988 response in wisconsin

The wisconsin department of health services (DHS) will continue to work with our current statewide lifeline provider to improve our in-state answer rate for calls, chats, and texts. The wisconsin lifeline center, operated by family services of northeast wisconsin, has been part of the lifeline network since 2020 and has been providing coverage for all areas of the state since shortly before the launch of 988 in july 2022. While the wisconsin lifeline program operates 24/7/365 and provides excellent service, the current workforce has been unable to keep pace with the tremendous increase in the volume of 988 calls, chats, and texts coming from residents throughout the state. This grant opportunity will allow for integration efforts between the wisconsin lifeline and additional crisis services in wisconsin. By engaging and collaborating with additional crisis providers and agencies, callers to 988 can get connected more easily to additional services. DHS has an opportunity through this grant to continue to expand and improve 988 in wisconsin. The three primary and overarching goals of this project are: 1. Expand 988 wisconsin lifeline's hybrid workforce through recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining lifeline counselors working on-site and remotely. 2. Strengthen connections between 988 wisconsin lifeline, public safety answering points (psaps), and local crisis programs across the state. 3. Improve strategic 988 messaging to reach specific populations across the state. Personnel requirements for this project will be in kind and made up of staff within the bureau of prevention treatment, and recovery. Staff will include three CO-project directors. Contracted staff will include the university of wisconsin population health institute, which will provide a project evaluator. Additional DHS staff will offer support for the grant.