H79FG001185

Connecticut 988 Implementation - Connecticut (CT) endorses one statewide 988 suicide and crisis lifeline (Lifeline) provider, the United Way of CT/211 (UWC), which is funded through the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the CT Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Together, these two sister-state agencies oversee the statewide crisis service system across the lifespan. The UWC is the state's 211 information and referral provider, is accredited by the Alliance for Information and Referral Services (AIRS) and the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), has years of experience as a Lifeline network provider, and serves as the mobile crisis service system call center for youth and adults.

These phone lines function 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and provide quality services to various types of callers from those searching for basic information and referral up to those in imminent risk crisis. For those in crisis, they provide support, screening, referrals, warm-transfers to statewide adult and youth mobile crisis services, warm-transfers to 911 public safety answering points (PSAPs) for active rescue as needed, and follow-up contacts upon caller consent. They also attain caller disposition from mobile crisis services and PSAPs following warm-transfers.

From July 2022 through April 2023, the UWC answered 28,123 988 calls with an in-state answer rate average of 98% and an average speed to answer of 4.2 seconds, all well within the target key performance indicators (KPIs). However, call demand continues to increase and the UWC will need to increase workforce capacity to maintain quality services and the KPIs.

CT has yet to initiate in-state 988 text or chat services, but plans to within state fiscal year 2024 with the additional funds made available. It has been determined that the UWC crisis contact center will also provide the 988 text and chat services. They have developed a plan to address implementation of these services through enhancements to the management and supervisory structure, onboarding, recruitment, hiring and training of staff, and the development of new procedures to ensure quality services are provided the call services and to attain and maintain the KPIs.

New 988 grant resources will be used to facilitate workforce expansion to maintain the high in-state call answer rate and speed to answer and to add the additional text and chat resources. Funding will also support staff training and continuing education to serve diverse populations, especially high-risk populations and populations with high numbers of suicide deaths and attempts.

Connecticut Department Of Mental Health And Addiction Services

SAMHSA WAS GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS PRIORITY SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE THROUGH ASSISTANCE (GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS) TO STATES, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF STATES, INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER PUBLIC OR NONPROFIT PRIVATE ENTITIES. UNDER THESE SECTIONS, CSAT, CMHS AND CSAP SEEK TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES AVAILABLE TO AMERICANS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDITIONS, AND TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND SOCIETIES AND TO ADDRESS PRIORITY MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ASSIST CHILDREN IN DEALING WITH VIOLENCE AND TRAUMATIC EVENTS THROUGH BY FUNDING GRANT AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROJECTS. GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS MAY BE FOR (1) KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION PROJECTS FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION AND THE CONDUCT OR SUPPORT OF EVALUATIONS OF SUCH PROJECTS, (2) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, (3) TARGETED CAPACITY RESPONSE PROGRAMS (4) SYSTEMS CHANGE GRANTS INCLUDING STATEWIDE FAMILY NETWORK GRANTS AND CLIENT-ORIENTED AND CONSUMER RUN SELF-HELP ACTIVITIES AND (5) PROGRAMS TO FOSTER HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, (6) COORDINATION AND INTEGRATION OF PRIMARY CARE SERVICES INTO PUBLICLY-FUNDED COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SETTINGS

93.243 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance

Division of Grants Management [HHS - SAMHSA]

Hartford, Connecticut 061061367 United States

Single Zip Code

Cooperative Agreements for States and Territories to Improve Local 988 Capacity (FG-23-006)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 100% from $2,325,441 to $4,650,882.