CSR-TTAC

Connections Newsletter

January 2024

NEWS FROM THE FIELD

Introducing the 988 Crisis Systems Response 

Training and Technical Center (CSR-TTAC)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA) has selected Altarum to provide training and technical 

assistance support to States, Territories, Tribal Organizations, and 

community partners across the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and 

crisis continuum of care. Along with our partners, W2 Consulting 

Corporation and Change Matrix, LLC, who have extensive 

experience with behavioral health, crisis services, technical 

assistance, and health equity, the CSR-TTAC was formed to 

support the continued growth of the 988 Lifeline and build a more 

robust crisis care system.

The goal of the CSR-TTAC is to support a crisis care system that 

is integrated, sustainable, equitable, and aligned around evidencebased and evidenced-informed practices.

COMMUNITY CORNER

As 988 continues to be a greater part of communities around the 

country, it is important for jurisdictions to understand the actions 

States are taking to further embed 988 and strengthen their crisis 

care systems. In this section of the newsletter, we will provide 

information and updates from States detailing their plans and 

progress toward advancing 988 and improving crisis care within 

their borders.

Wyoming: 

Wyoming is working to address its suicide rates and improve their 

crisis care system by advocating for additional funding for the 

988 Lifeline in an effort to decrease the State’s high suicide rate.

Read Funding for 988, infrastructure among governor 

recommendations.

Kansas/Missouri: 

Missouri and Kansas share 988 Lifeline progress a year after its 

launch. Read the full story: Missouri and Kansas answer more 

than 90% of 988 calls as mental health hotline hits 1 year.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Title: Embedding Equity in 

988 Crisis Systems

Date: Wed., January 31 

Time: 1-3 pm (ET)

Title: SAMHSA Black History 

Month webinar: Behavioral 

Health Equity Best Practices 

for African Americans

Date: Mon., February 5 

Time: 1:30 pm (ET) 

Title: Monthly “3C” Session

Date: Third Tuesday of every 

month 

Time: 2-3 pm (ET) 

Visit our landing page regularly 

for the latest registration link. 

Title: Policy Academy

Date: April 1-2, Tucson, AZ

Designed to support States, 

Tribes, & Territories in coalition 

building and application of

systems design to develop and 

improve policies and practices 

in the design of Crisis Systems.

Apply by January 31!

All past CSR-TTAC Events are

archived on our landing page 

on the SAMHSA website.
Nevada: 

Teenager creates nonprofit to increase 988 

awareness focusing on Military Veterans & teens. 

Visit 988 Awareness Project.

North Carolina: 

The North Carolina Department of Health and 

Human Services launches a dashboard to monitor 

the performance and usage of the 988 Lifeline. Read

New performance dashboard for the 988 Suicide 

and Crisis Lifeline.

Michigan:

Baraga County adopts a new partnership to allow 

on-demand access to behavioral health 

professionals when responding to mental health 

calls. Read Baraga County launches virtual crisis 

care program.

Canada: 

Canada launches their own 988 crisis lifeline. Read 

Canada launches 988 suicide crisis helpline, fills 

gap in Western services.

EYE ON EQUITY

We are all working together to embed equity at all

levels of crisis response from the Federal and State

levels to local communities and organizations. In this

section of the newsletter, we will provide information

about different actions we can all take to embed equity 

in crisis systems in big ways and even small – anything

and everything we can do to improve crisis care.

Announcing our Embedding Equity Learning

Collaborative (EELC)!

EELC activities will occur February 28-May 23, 2024.

The application deadline is February 7, 2024. 

Learn more and apply for the EELC today!

Remember to attend the Embedding Equity in 988

Crisis Systems webinar on January 31, 1-3 pm (ET) 

Register for the webinar today!

DID YOU KNOW?

988 has American Sign Language (ASL) capabilities!

To expand access to behavioral health for 

underserved communities, the 988 Suicide & Crisis 

Lifeline has added ASL to its repertoire. People who 

are Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, 

and Late-Deafened now have access to the same 988 

services as all other people living in the United States. 

To connect to a Lifeline counselor in ASL, simply click 

the “ASL Now” button on 988lifeline.org. Also, ASL 

callers can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) from their 

videophone to reach ASL services. 

To promote these capabilities, go to the SAMHSA 988 

Partner Toolkit page, scroll down to “988 ASL 

Services”. There you will find social media sample 

posts, suggested Alt Text, and graphics. 

HAVE A HIGHLIGHT ABOUT YOUR WORK IN CRISIS CARE? 

Contact us and we will add your story to an upcoming newsletter!

Email address: support@988crisisttac.org

Toll-free phone number: 844-464-8338

To request specific Technical Assistance, please email us: support@988crisisttac.org

Use this link to Subscribe to our contact list or use the QR code.

The CSR-TTAC, consisting of three partners: Altarum, W2 Consulting Corporation, and Change Matrix, LLC, is funded by the

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide training and technical assistance support

to States, Territories, Tribal Organizations, and community partners. The CSR-TTAC works in conjunction with the 988 Suicide

& Crisis Lifeline. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official 

position or policies of SAMHSA or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.