Illinois 988 improvement program - the illinois department of human services/division of mental health (DMH) will utilize the illinois 988 improvement program grant to continue the expansion of…

Illinois 988 improvement program - the illinois department of human services/division of mental health (DMH) will utilize the illinois 988 improvement program grant to continue the expansion of capacity of illinois lifeline call centers (lccs) to respond to calls, texts and chats from illinoisans to the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, as well as engage in additional activities to improve the 988 system in illinois. This includes an investment in a comprehensive 988 communication strategy, enhancing data collection across all lccs, further coordinating the 988 infrastructure with the larger behavioral health crisis continuum of care and the 911 system, and enhancing capacity for post-988 contact follow-up to illinoisans. Through interagency and partner engagement and planning, DMH will ensure that the 988 system is fully prepared to assist individuals with substance use needs and will develop plans for quality assurance and measures of effectiveness and return on investment analysis. Illinois is a large state geographically with a total of 102 counties across 57,915 square miles and a population estimated at 12.85 million people. With the assistance of the current samhsa funded illinois 988 capacity grant, DMH has successfully established statewide coverage of call centers, and has seen a rise from an 18% answer rate in june 2022 to 87% in april, 2023, a success which is expected to continue as DMH partners with the six lccs currently doing this work in illinois, as well as partnering with a seventh center that is currently in development. With the award of this grant, DMH is confident we can provide all illinoisans experiencing a behavioral health crisis with the immediate and effective responses needed, from call takers who are familiar with the state's unique culture. Based on data provided by vibrant on contacts from illinoisans, IT is estimated that a total of 125,977 illinoisans will benefit from this program on an annual basis.