AICA - 988 tribal response program - the american indian center of arkansas (AICA) proposes to implement the 988 tribal response program, a three-year, multi-state capacity-building initiative…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services) awarded the American Indian Center of Arkansas, Inc. $974,313 on September 30, 2026, under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R) to implement the 988 Tribal Response Program.

The recipient will strengthen culturally responsive crisis response systems for American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Arkansas and Louisiana over the three-year period ending September 29, 2029. Work performed from North Little Rock, Arkansas includes capacity-building efforts to strengthen tribal referral pathways, expand culturally responsive workforce training, improve coordination between tribal organizations and 988 crisis centers, enhance data collection and evaluation systems, and increase awareness and utilization of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Direct services will serve tribal members of all ages who contact or are referred through the 988 system and require screening, referral, care coordination, crisis follow-up, behavioral health treatment, recovery supports, or other culturally responsive services, with special attention to individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring behavioral health conditions.

Implementation occurs through partnerships with the Arkansas Crisis Center, Inter-Tribal Council of Louisiana, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, and the Oklahoma Tribal 988 Workgroup, with formal relationships outlined with the Arkansas Department of Health and Louisiana Department of Health.

AICA - 988 tribal response program - the american indian center of arkansas (AICA) proposes to implement the 988 tribal response program, a three-year, multi-state capacity-building initiative designed to strengthen culturally responsive crisis response systems for american indian and alaska native (AI/an) communities in arkansas and louisiana. This project will improve coordination between tribal communities, 988 crisis centers, behavioral health providers, and state agencies to increase access to culturally appropriate crisis intervention, referral, and follow-up services. The project catchment area includes arkansas and louisiana and will be implemented through partnerships with the arkansas crisis center, inter-tribal council of louisiana (ITCLA), tunica-biloxi tribe of louisiana, and the oklahoma tribal 988 workgroup. Additionally, relationships will be built and formally outlined with the arkansas department of health and the louisiana department of health. Capacity-building efforts will focus on strengthening tribal referral pathways, expanding culturally responsive workforce training, improving coordination between tribes/tribal organizations and 988 crisis centers, enhancing data collection and evaluation systems, and increasing awareness and utilization of the 988 suicide & crisis lifeline. The population of focus includes AI/an individuals of all ages - males and females, from youth through enders - in arkansas and louisiana who may experience mental health, substance use, or suicide-related crises. Direct services will primarily serve tribal members of all ages who contact or are referred through the 988 system and require screening, referral, care coordination, crisis follow-up, behavioral health treatment, recovery supports, or other culturally responsive services. Special attention will be given to individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, CO-occurring behavioral health conditions, or other behavioral health crises. Project strategies include developing culturally responsive training for 988 crisis counselors and community responders; strengthening referral pathways and warm handoffs between 988 crisis centers and tribal organizations; expanding follow-up services through a tribal warm line staffed by trained tribal members; implementing a tribal 988 communication strategy; supporting behavioral health recovery through care coordination and culturally responsive supportive services; participating in regional tribal 988 collaborations; and conducting ongoing evaluation and continuous quality improvement to improve project outcomes. Over the three- year project period, AICA will pursue four goals: (1) increase the capacity of 988 crisis center staff and community responders to provide culturally responsive crisis services; (2) improve integration between 988 crisis centers, tribal nations, tribal organizations, and behavioral health providers to ensure coordinated referrals, follow-up care, and wrap-around services; (3) develop formal partnerships with tribal, state, and local organizations that improve access to crisis response and behavioral health services while respecting tribal sovereignty; and (4) increase awareness, willingness to use, and utilization of 988 services among tribal communities. Key measurable objectives include training 60 members of the mental health and related workforce, achieving at least 80% improvement in participant knowledge and cultural humility following training, serving 360 unduplicated tribal members, screening 360 individuals, referring 270 individuals to behavioral health services, connecting 180 individuals to services following referral, providing documented follow-up within seven days for at least 80% of tribal members referred through 988, establishing 60 formal partnership agreements, conducting 36 community outreach events, and increasing awareness and willingness to use 988 services among tribal community members throughout the project period.