CSR-TTAC

Connections Newsletter

February 2024

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, find information and updates from 

various States detailing their plans and progress towards advancing 

988 and improving crisis care within their borders.

New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Human Services has issued $13.6 

million in grants to establish a response system for adults in nonlife-threatening situations who have contacted the 988 Lifeline. 

DHS issues $13.6M to establish 988 response network (NJ Biz)

Colorado

Two Colorado bills are under consideration to address a growing 

need for rural mental health treatment, especially among ranchers 

and farmworkers. Colorado Moves to Connect Agricultural Workers 

with Mental Health Resources (KFF Health News)

Missouri

The newly published The 

Missouri Suicide Prevention 

Plan is now available to help 

Missourians prevent and lower 

the risk of suicide in their 

families and communities. 

Governor’s Suicide Prevention 

Plan encourages public to 

take online training to deal 

with the rising self-harm risk

(KY3 News)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monthly “3C” Session

Third Tuesdays

2:00 – 3:00pm ET

Next session: March 26

Connecting to Serve: Promising 

Practices for 988 & 911 

Collaboration Webinar Series 

“Session 4”

Thursday, April 18

1:00 – 3:00pm ET

Past events are archived on the 

SAMHSA CSR TTAC page.
988 suicide hotline announces pivot to full mental 

health crisis resource (The Pitch, Kansas City)

West Virginia

Calls to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline have doubled 

in West Virginia over last year, largely due to the 

expansion of service formats and accessibility efforts. 

(WSAZ News Channel 3)

North Carolina

The Executive Director of North Carolina’s REAL 

Crisis Center shares the center’s secrets to success. 

NC 988 Lifeline staff make crucial connections 

for callers in crisis (NC Health News)

Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health is partnering 

with Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth and a 

coalition of local governments to better address the 

well-being of Black youth in the Minneapolis suburbs. 

As mental health worries rise for Black Minnesotans, 

focus shifts to strengthening kids, caregivers (MPR)

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, we 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!

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 

released a new educational program in February to 

support mental health equity for Black and African 

American communities. This free presentation 

is created by Black people for Black people and 

is designed to reduce cultural stigma, foster 

conversations about mental health, and raise 

awareness of suicide prevention in the Black 

community. The L.E.T.S. (Listening, Empathy, 

Trust, Support) Save Lives: An Introduction to 

Suicide Prevention for Black and African American 

Communities program is grounded in research 

and is intended to create conversations in Black 

communities around mental health and encourage 

help-seeking to prevent suicide and suicide attempts.

HAVE A HIGHLIGHT ABOUT YOUR WORK IN CRISIS CARE?

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

Email: support@988crisisttac.org

Toll-free: 844-464-8338

Request specific technical assistance: support@988crisisttac.org

Subscribe to our Contact List, or scan 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.