Crisis center follow-up improvement project

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Lifeskills Inc. $250,000 on September 30, 2026, under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R) to implement the Crisis Center Follow-Up Improvement Project across an 18-county service area in south-central and western Kentucky.

Lifeskills, a certified community behavioral health clinic and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Network member, will expand structured follow-up services for individuals who contact 988 or experience a behavioral health crisis. The project will implement a standardized follow-up program beginning within 24 hours of referral and continuing for a minimum of 90 days and up to 12 months, based on clinical need. This capacity-building effort targets improved post-crisis care coordination, increased engagement in treatment and recovery services, and reduction in suicide, overdose deaths, and repeat crisis events.

The service area encompasses Allen, Barren, Butler, Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Edmonson, Hart, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, and Warren Counties, serving approximately 538,000 residents. The population of focus includes individuals of all ages experiencing suicidal ideation or behavior, serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, substance use crises, overdose risk, co-occurring disorders, or difficulty connecting to services following a crisis event.

The award period runs through September 29, 2029, with place of performance in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Abstract

Project title: crisis center follow-up improvement project the crisis center follow-up improvement project (CCFIP) will strengthen the behavioral health crisis continuum across an 18-county service area in south-central and western kentucky by expanding structured follow-up services for individuals who contact 988 or experience a behavioral health crisis. The project will improve post-crisis care coordination, increase engagement in treatment and recovery services, and reduce suicide, overdose deaths, and repeat crisis events. Lifeskills, INC. Is a participating member of the 988 suicide & crisis lifeline network and provides 24/7/365 crisis services. As a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC), lifeskills will implement the CCFIP across its 18-county service area of allen, barren, butler, caldwell, christian, crittenden, edmonson, hart, hopkins, logan, lyon, metcalfe, monroe, muhlenberg, simpson, todd, trigg, and warren counties in south-central and western kentucky, serving approximately 538,000 residents. The region experiences elevated suicide and overdose rates, behavioral health workforce shortages, transportation barriers, and limited access to ongoing care, particularly in rural communities, and lacks the dedicated staffing and centralized tracking infrastructure needed for systematic post-crisis follow-up, the capacity gaps this project will address. The population of focus includes individuals of all ages who contact the 988 suicide & crisis lifeline or experience suicidal ideation or behavior, emotional distress, serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, substance use crises, overdose risk, CO-occurring disorders, or difficulty connecting to services following a crisis event. The project will build capacity by implementing a standardized follow-up program that begins within 24 hours of referral and continues for a minimum of 90 days and up to 12 months based on clinical need. Grant activities include hiring one follow-up coordinator and two peer support specialists, implementing a centralized follow-up tracking system, strengthening coordination with mobile crisis outreach teams, 911/public safety answering points, hospitals, and community providers, and integrating peer support and active service navigation into follow-up services. Project goals are to: (1) expand access to systematic crisis follow-up services; (2) improve continuity of care and recovery support following a crisis event; and (3) strengthen data collection, quality improvement, and outcome monitoring. Objectives include initiating follow-up within 24 hours for at least 90 percent of eligible individuals, increasing enrollment in follow-up services by 15 percent annually, ensuring at least 60 percent of enrolled individuals complete the 90-day follow-up period or successfully transition to ongoing services, and linking at least 65 percent of enrolled individuals to treatment or community supports within 30 days. Through enhanced follow-up services and improved coordination across the crisis continuum, the project will advance the substance abuse and mental health administration's priorities of expanding crisis intervention services, improving access to evidence-based treatment, supporting recovery, and reducing suicide, overdose deaths, and repeat crisis events.