Why Partnering With 911 and First Responders Is Crucial to the Success of 988
For 988 to work, first responders must be able to easily and rapidly connect people to care.
988 Will Benefit From Tech Innovations Jump Started by Pandemic
Whether they wanted it or not, the Covid pandemic and corresponding physical distancing requirements thrust behavioral healthcare providers into telehealth. Some providers celebrated the sudden regulatory and policy changes that removed service delivery barriers. Others, says Kristin Neylon, senior project associate at NRI, were far more skeptical. “They were wary
The Chronic Misunderstanding of the Peer Role in Behavioral Health
Peers are often thrown into roles more like behavioral health technicians due to a fundamental, nationwide misunderstanding of what peers do and the function they serve.
Washington State’s 988 Legislation Includes a 988 Tribal Crisis Line
Vicki Lowe gives updates on Washington State’s 988 tribal crisis line and health hub, a coordinating communication center that assists tribes and providers and acts as a bridge between tribal and statewide behavioral health and crisis systems.
How a New CMS Model in Maryland Fostered Innovation and $79 Million in Behavioral Health Funding
Tequila Terry shares how a new CMS model, called Total Cost of Care, is helping drive and fund innovation in Maryland to expand behavioral health crisis services.
How States Can Use One-Year HCBS Funding Bump to Expand Crisis Systems
Tom Betlach shares how states can use a one-year HCBS 10% federal medical assistance percentage bump to build out their behavioral health crisis systems in preparation for 988. Today is the deadline.
Why In-Home Crisis Stabilization for Kids Is Integral to the Mental Health Crisis System
As states prepare for 988, Andrea Rifkind says they should expand their crisis continuum to include in-home stabilization for young people.
How a 911-EMS Crisis Intervention Diverts People in Mental Health Crisis
Grady EMS in Atlanta, Georgia, diverts callers experiencing mental health challenges and helps them find alternative solutions when the emergency department isn’t the best fit.
Austin’s 911 Call Center Integrates Mental Health Call Crisis Diversion
In Austin, when a person dials 911, the call taker asks, “Are you calling for police, fire, EMS, or mental health services?” Adding mental health as an option is groundbreaking and part of the city’s crisis call diversion initiative where clinicians are co-located on the 911 call center’s operations floor.
How Montana Is Redesigning Crisis Services in a Rural Landscape
Today we sit down with the team responsible for helping redesign crisis services in Montana. They share the challenges they’ve faced with the pandemic, overcoming vast distances of rural land, and innovations that are paving the way for change, including mobile crisis services and a brand new Lifeline member call
