Project Grant H79FG001497

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services) awarded Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board $1.485 million on September 30, 2026, under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R).

Over three years, the 988 Tribal Response Project will increase access to behavioral health on-call crisis services through 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call centers in the Pacific Northwest and strengthen connection and support for Northwest tribes engaging with these centers. NPAIHB, a tribally designated nonprofit representing 43 federally recognized tribes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, will build regional suicide and substance use disorder crisis response partnerships in collaboration with Northwest tribes, regional partners, and at least three 988 call centers. The project will establish formal collaborations and communications with tribes, crisis call centers, and other partners around 988, suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, and will provide funding for up to six Northwest tribes to increase capacity for crisis response and suicide prevention.

The project will reach at least 10,000 people annually and 30,000 throughout the grant period. Work is performed in Portland, Oregon. The grant runs through September 29, 2029, and builds upon NPAIHB's existing suicide prevention work through the Tribal Health: Reaching Out Involves Everyone Project (active since 2009) and the Tribal Opioid Response Team (active since 2018).