Cooperative agreements for states and territories to improve local 988 capacity - the 988 crisis systems section provides behavioral health workforce capacity and services that are culturally,…

Cooperative agreements for states and territories to improve local 988 capacity - the 988 crisis systems section provides behavioral health workforce capacity and services that are culturally, geographically, and linguistically specialized and relevant for people in washington who experience a behavioral health crisis. Data-driven efforts have led to the creation of the first native and strong lifeline in washington state; however, additional capacity is continuing to be needed to provide additional relevant services to the communities we serve, and to ensure capacity can continue to scale at the same rate as call, chat and text volume of the 988 lifeline. With this funding, washington crisis centers will work to increase their staffing capacity to continue meeting the 90% in-state answer rate, build capacity within student intern programs and follow-up programs, and retain in-house training capacity to help develop the behavioral health workforce and recruit and retain employees. The project team, which includes members from the department of health (DOH), all three washington crisis centers, health care authority, and washington 911, will continue to work together on capacity building, sustainability, and service coordination. Over the course of the project years the team will submit washington's sustainability plan for crisis center workforce capacity and key performance indicators (kpis). This team will evaluate monthly, quarterly, and annual data including the KPI data to identify solutions to address capacity challenges. This team will also work together to develop and implement a statewide 988 communication plan, joint reports on current 988/911 structures and collaborations, as well as current mobile crisis outreach options. Furthermore, in year one of the project, all three crisis centers will work in collaboration with DOH to review and improve programmatic quality assurance plans and develop standardized protocols and referral resources for 988 contacts requiring substance use crisis care. The native and strong lifeline, in collaboration with DOH, will continue the work to enhance the engagement of all tribes and tribal organizations within the state of washington. Over the course of year one of the project, these teams will meet to discuss communication strategies and identify gaps in training opportunities to improve 988 services to tribal communities. Washington will also utilize funding to foster the development of community crisis response teams (ccrts) to address gaps in the crisis system created by historic and current systemic racism that has created fear in some communities to reach out to the crisis system. These ccrts will operate independently of the crisis system and be operated by trusted community leaders who will support their communities by responding to people in crisis in their communities. This will improve access to traditionally underserved areas and improve outcomes for people in crisis. The washington state team is prepared to initiate work, if funded, without delay. Team members have laid an important foundation to build out thus far and if funded, are excited to further support capacity building efforts.