Dupage county health department 988 suicide and crisis lifeline crisis follow up program - the dupage county health department (dchd) will expand and standardize follow‑up services for individuals…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $250,000 to the DuPage County Health Department on September 30, 2026, under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R).

The recipient will expand and standardize follow-up services for individuals contacting 988 across DuPage, Grundy, and McHenry Counties, as well as statewide text and chat users. The program addresses gaps in the department's existing crisis follow-up capacity by adding a dedicated crisis supervisor to oversee peer support specialists and an engagement specialist to deliver structured follow-up contacts. The project will implement standardized follow-up protocols across 988 calls, texts, and chats; integrate real-time Power BI dashboards with iCarol to monitor performance and guide quality improvement; and strengthen coordination with crisis teams, hospitals, and community providers to support warm handoffs and continuity of care. These efforts target individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, behavioral health crises, substance use concerns, and co-occurring conditions by providing evidence-based proactive outreach and sustained engagement.

Performance will occur in Wheaton, Illinois 60187. The period of performance runs through September 29, 2029.

Dupage county health department 988 suicide and crisis lifeline crisis follow up program - the dupage county health department (dchd) will expand and standardize follow‑up services for individuals contacting 988 across dupage, grundy, and mchenry counties, as well as statewide text and chat users. The project strengthens crisis system capacity by ensuring timely follow‑up, improving data systems, and enhancing coordination across the crisis continuum. IT will benefit individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, behavioral health crises, substance use concerns, and CO‑occurring conditions by providing structured, proactive outreach grounded in evidence‑based practices. Dchd currently operates a crisis follow‑up team that successfully engages individuals referred from mobile crisis, the crisis recovery center, and local hospitals. However, the program lacks the staffing, supervision, and standardized protocols required to meet samhsa's expectations for 988 follow‑up, including rapid initiation, sustained contact, and consistent documentation. The project will address these gaps by adding a dedicated crisis supervisor to oversee peer support specialists and a new engagement specialist who will deliver structured follow‑up contacts. This supervisory role is essential to ensure fidelity to protocols, strengthen peer‑delivered follow‑up, and expand capacity for timely and sustained engagement. Strategies and interventions expand follow‑up staffing through the addition of a crisis supervisor and one peer support specialist. New supervisor will provide oversight of existing peer support specialists. Implement standardized follow‑up protocols across 988 calls, texts, chats, mobile crisis, CRC, and community referrals. Use real‑time powerbi dashboards integrated with icarol to monitor performance and guide quality improvement. Strengthen coordination with crisis teams, hospitals, and community providers to support warm handoffs and continuity of care. Enhance risk assessment, safety planning, and referral workflows to improve stabilization and linkage to treatment. Participate fully in samhsa's national evaluation and continuous quality improvement processes. Project goals expand dchd's capacity to provide timely, evidence‑based follow‑up for all eligible 988 contacts. Improve engagement, safety, and treatment connection for individuals at risk of suicide or behavioral health deterioration. Strengthen data systems and real‑time performance monitoring to support quality improvement and samhsa reporting. Enhance coordination across the crisis continuum to reduce repeat crises and support long‑term recovery. Measurable objectives complete 95% of first follow‑up attempts within 24 hours by year 2. Achieve at least 70% successful engagement among individuals receiving follow‑up. Increase linkage to ongoing treatment or recovery services by 20% over the project period. Reduce repeat crisis contacts by 10% among individuals receiving follow‑up by year 2. Maintain 100% completion of required samhsa follow‑up indicators and participation in the national evaluation.