The tomorrow project - a comprehensive 988 peer navigator follow-up program that bridges the GAP between crisis intervention and ongoing recovery support for individuals. - the tomorrow project:…

SAMHSA awarded Information & Referral Services of Fairfield County 211 $188,050 on September 30, 2026, to implement The Tomorrow Project, a peer navigator follow-up program serving individuals experiencing behavioral health crises in Fairfield County, Ohio under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R).

The program bridges crisis intervention and ongoing recovery support by deploying trained peer navigators—cross-trained as 211 navigators and equipped with 988 crisis intervention training—to initiate follow-up contacts within 24 hours of referral from 988 Lifeline contacts, emergency departments, mobile crisis teams, EMS, and other crisis response partners. Services include safety planning, emotional support, resource navigation, recovery coaching, appointment coordination, and linkage to behavioral health, substance use, and social services. Participants receive ongoing outreach engagement for at least 90 days following the initial crisis event. For individuals at elevated risk—including those with repeat 988 contacts, suicide attempts, overdose history, or recent crisis-related hospitalizations—peer navigators coordinate with mobile crisis teams to provide in-person follow-up within 48 to 72 hours and facilitate warm handoffs to community-based providers. The program employs a tiered model of care combining peer support, care navigation, mobile crisis coordination, and intensive case management based on individual risk level, with the goal of reducing suicide risk, improving service engagement, decreasing repeat crisis utilization, and strengthening continuity of care across the community crisis continuum.

Performance takes place at Lancaster, Ohio 43130. The period of performance runs from September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2029.

The tomorrow project - a comprehensive 988 peer navigator follow-up program that bridges the GAP between crisis intervention and ongoing recovery support for individuals. - the tomorrow project: abstract fairfield county 211, a 988 center provider, in agreement with vibrant emotional health and the ohio department of behavioral health, proposes to implement a comprehensive 988 peer navigator follow-up program that bridges the GAP between crisis intervention and ongoing recovery support for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises in fairfield county. The program will provide rapid, peer-led follow-up services for individuals identified through 988 lifeline contacts, emergency departments, mobile crisis teams, EMS, and other crisis response partners. The goal is to reduce suicide risk, improve service engagement, decrease repeat crisis utilization, and strengthen continuity of care across the community crisis continuum. The project utilizes a tiered model of care that combines peer support, care navigation, mobile crisis coordination, and intensive case management based on individual risk level. Trained peer navigators, cross-trained as 211 navigators/resource specialists and equipped with required 988 crisis intervention training, will initiate follow-up contacts within 24 hours of referral. Services will include safety planning, emotional support, resource navigation, recovery coaching, appointment coordination, and linkage to behavioral health, substance use, and social service support. Participants will receive ongoing outreach engagement for at least 90 days following the initial crisis event. For individuals at elevated risk, peer navigators will coordinate closely with mobile crisis teams to provide in-person follow-up within 48 to 72 hours and facilitate warm handoffs to community-based providers. High-risk individuals, including those with repeat 988 contacts, suicide attempts, overdose history, or recent crisis-related hospitalizations, will be enrolled in an enhanced case management track featuring structured follow-up contacts at 24 hours, 72 hours, seven days, and ongoing intervals based on need. The program will strengthen partnerships across fairfield county through formal agreements with hospitals, emergency departments, mobile crisis providers, EMS, law enforcement, and behavioral health organizations. With participant consent, peer navigators will coordinate information sharing and care transitions to ensure continuity of care and reduce fragmentation across service systems. Fairfield county has established a strong mobile crisis response framework that serves as a critical component of the local behavioral health crisis continuum. The proposed project will build upon and strengthen this existing infrastructure by adding a peer-led follow-up component that enhances continuity of care, improves post-crisis engagement, and increases coordination among crisis response partners. Expected outcomes include increased successful post-crisis follow-up contacts, improved connection and retention in behavioral health treatment, reduced repeat crisis episodes, decreased unnecessary emergency department utilization, enhanced recovery outcomes, and stronger coordination across the local crisis response system. Program performance will be monitored through robust data collection and outcome tracking, including engagement rates, service utilization, referral completion, and participant recovery indicators. Through the implementation of this peer-led, recovery-oriented model, fairfield county 211 will establish a sustainable and scalable approach to post-crisis support that advances the goals of the 988 lifeline and samhsa's vision for a coordinated, person-centered crisis continuum of care.