Project Grant H79FG001215

NEVADA 988 STATE AND TERRITORY IMPROVEMENT - THE NEVADA 988 LIFELINE AIMS TO PREVENT DEATHS BY SUICIDE AND TO REDUCE HARM FROM INTENTIONAL, SELF-DIRECTED INJURIES FOR ALL PERSONS EXPERIENCING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISES. AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STATE'S EVOLVING CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM (CRS), THE NEVADA 988 LIFELINE PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS WITH ACCESS TO SUPPORT SERVICES FROM TRAINED PROFESSIONALS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS WHO CAN BE REACHED BY TELEPHONE, TEXT AND CHAT. A CRITICAL GAP IN THE STATE'S CURRENT CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM INVOLVES THE IN-STATE ANSWER RATES FOR CALLS, TEXTS AND CHATS THAT ARE RECEIVED BY THE NEVADA 988 LIFELINE. NEVADA'S AVERAGE ANSWER RATE FOR IN-STATE CALLS IS 73%. THE STATE WILL USE FUNDING FROM THE 'FY 2023 COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO IMPROVE LOCAL 988 CAPACITY' TO ACHIEVE A LOWER STAFF TO SUPERVISOR RATIO BY INCREASING COMPETITIVE PAY RATES AND TO PROVIDE CORRESPONDING TRAINING AND SUPPORT SO THAT STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED FOR CALL CENTER PERSONNEL. IN THE ABSENCE OF THIS SUPPORT, THE STATE ANTICIPATES THAT THE CRISIS CALL CENTER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY NEEDED TO MAINTAIN OR INCREASE CALL ANSWER RATES AND DECREASE WAIT TIMES. BY EXPANDING WORKFORCE CAPACITY FOR CALL CENTER ANSWERING AND CASE MANAGEMENT, THE NEVADA 988 LIFELINE WOULD BE EXPECTED TO RESPOND WITH ANSWER RATES FOR CALLS/TEXTS/CHATS THAT EXCEED 90%.