Crisis follow-up project - macomb county community mental health's (MCCMH) crisis follow-up project (CFP) expands timely follow-up for individuals who contact the 988 lifeline and local crisis line

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Macomb County Community Mental Health $213,181 on September 30, 2026, to expand crisis follow-up services for individuals contacting the 988 Lifeline and local crisis lines in Macomb County, Michigan, and southeastern Michigan. The award is made under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R).

Macomb County Community Mental Health will establish and scale a structured crisis follow-up program targeting youth and adults experiencing behavioral health crises, suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, substance use concerns, co-occurring disorders, or urgent service needs. The project will hire and train dedicated follow-up staff, implement standardized follow-up protocols, and increase follow-up contacts with consenting high-risk individuals. Follow-up intensity will be tailored to risk level, clinical presentation, and ongoing service need, with emphasis on safety planning, connection to treatment, crisis resolution, and recovery. Staffing strategies include expanding call capacity, using daily, weekly, monthly, and annual call data to identify demand trends, adjusting recruitment and scheduling to meet projected needs, and leveraging cross-trained mobile crisis and crisis stabilization staff for secondary support and evidence-informed behavioral health services. The project also will strengthen coordination across the crisis continuum of care, including crisis stabilization, mobile crisis outreach, and the substance use engagement center.

Performance occurs in Clinton Township, Michigan. The period of performance runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2029.

The project primarily serves macomb county, michigan, and callers from southeastern michigan routed to MCCMH's 988 crisis line. A 10% increase in crisis call center volume in 2025 underscores the need to strengthen follow-up capacity, safety planning, linkage to care, and post-crisis support. The population of focus includes youth and adults of all ages experiencing behavioral health crisis, suicidal ideation, imminent risk, serious mental illness, substance use concerns, CO-occurring disorders, or urgent service needs. Follow-up intensity will be based on risk level, clinical presentation, and need for ongoing services. A focus will be placed on the use of safety plans, connection to treatment, crisis resolution, recovery, and stability. Grant-funded strategies will include expanding follow-up call capacity; using daily, weekly, monthly, and annual call data to identify demand trends; adjusting recruitment and scheduling to meet projected needs; and strengthening backup coverage through MCCMH's crisis continuum. Cross-trained mobile crisis and crisis stabilization staff will provide secondary support to ensure timely crisis intervention, referrals, safety planning, and evidence-informed behavioral health supports. Goals and measurable objectives are to: 1. Systematic follow-up: establish a structured follow-up program by hiring and training dedicated staff, implementing standardized follow-up protocols, and increasing follow-up contacts with consenting high-risk individuals. The goal is to ensure consistent support and engagement after a crisis intervention. 2. Enhanced coordination of crisis services: strengthen collaboration across the crisis continuum of care, including crisis stabilization, mobile crisis outreach, the substance use engagement center, and other community providers through regular coordination efforts. 3. Reduce unnecessary emergency service engagement: decrease reliance on police, fire, and emergency medical services by providing effective post-crisis follow-up that includes safety planning, risk reduction strategies, and referrals to appropriate services. Ensure all participating high-risk callers have an updated or documented safety plan. 4. Improve access to ongoing support and recovery: increase connections to mental health treatment, substance use services, and community-based recovery resources for high-risk individuals. The objective is to promote ongoing recovery and reduce future crisis events, including voluntary and involuntary rescues. Conclusion: the project supports samhsa priorities by expanding crisis intervention services, improving access to evidence-based treatment for mental illness, substance use, and CO-occurring disorders, addressing serious mental illness, supporting long-term recovery and sobriety, preventing substance misuse through timely referral, and identifying emerging behavioral health threats through call data analysis.