Project Grant H79FG001408

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Empact-Suicide Prevention Center $250,000 on September 30, 2026, under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R) to deliver systematic post-crisis follow-up and continuity-of-care services to 988 Lifeline callers nationwide.

The project will provide 24-hour structured follow-up to at-risk 988 callers across all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories for up to 90 days per contact, using bilingual counselors, risk assessment protocols, and a national referral network to facilitate connections to ongoing behavioral health services. Over the three-year period of performance, the project will screen and follow-up on approximately 1,300 at-risk callers with the goal of reducing suicide risk and mortality. A dual-track model delivers this systematic follow-up to all eligible callers nationally; callers originating in Maricopa County, Arizona (approximately 5 percent of national backup contacts) receive enhanced local services including direct warm referrals into Empact-SPC's mobile crisis, outpatient, and residential treatment services, plus in-kind peer navigation support. Empact-SPC, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, operates four national backup subnetworks (National Backup Voice, National Backup Chat/Text, Spanish Chat, and Spanish Phone) that handle approximately 10,000 crisis contacts monthly. Work is performed at Tempe, Arizona. The project runs through September 29, 2029. This award is a Project Grant, an assistance type.