Sunday, October 27, 2024
10/27/2024
Suicide is a significant public health issue in Arkansas, with the state ranking 11th in the country for suicide rates. To address this problem, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) established the Arkansas Lifeline Call Center (ALCC) in 2017 as the primary suicide prevention call center. However, there is a need for additional support and collaboration between ALCC, the Arkansas Crisis Center (ACC), and the Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center (WACGC) to improve the overall answer rate and reduce reliance on national backup centers. The Arkansas 988 Capacity Project aims to increase collaboration and funding to expand the call center workforces, with the goal of reaching or exceeding a 90% answer rate for all calls, chats, and texts by September 2024. The project also focuses on enhancing the in-state chat and text response capabilities. By increasing staff and improving coordination, immediate improvements in answer rates can be achieved. The project also emphasizes consistent policies, appropriate responses to veteran callers, and increased access to services through partnerships with the Arkansas Department of Human Services. To achieve the project's goals, various strategies are outlined. These include hiring additional staff at ALCC, ACC, and WACGC, expanding chat and text services, conducting a media campaign to promote the 988 Lifeline services, establishing a comprehensive data reporting system, enhancing mobile crisis and crisis response teams, and developing a sustainability plan to ensure the long-term viability of the project. Collaboration with key stakeholders, training programs for emergency service entities, and comprehensive follow-up plans are also integral parts of the project. The project emphasizes ongoing evaluation and quality improvement, with the involvement of an evaluation contractor to monitor data and prepare regular reports. It also highlights the importance of a sustainability plan and the identification of funding sources to continue the project beyond the grant period. Continuous quality improvement protocols, meetings between call centers, and addressing behavioral health disparities further contribute to the project's objectives. By implementing the Arkansas 988 Capacity Project, the state aims to reduce suicide rates, improve crisis response services, enhance access to resources, and provide effective support to individuals in need. Through collaborative efforts, funding, and strategic planning, Arkansas endeavors to make a significant impact on suicide prevention and mental health support within the state.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
