California 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Project - Project Abstract California's project, the California 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (California 988 Network), provides 24/7, confidential crisis support through trained counselors for Californians experiencing mental health, suicide, and/or substance use-related crises. California's principal objectives will enhance the 988 system by expanding workforce capacity, improving response performance across calls, chats, and texts, and increasing timely access to crisis care for high-risk populations, including children, youth, and families; older adults; people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Tribes; and veterans. As the nation’s most populous state, California experiences the highest volume of 988 contacts of any state. The California 988 Network currently includes 11 Crisis Centers that coordinate to provide statewide, 24/7 call coverage and are progressing toward full 24/7 chat and text coverage. Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, California reported state call answer rates ranging from 83 percent to 89 percent with an average answer rate of 87 percent. The answer speed ranged from 27 seconds to 31 seconds with an average speed of 29 seconds. During the same period, California reported state chat answer rates ranging from 32 percent to 52 percent and state text answer rates ranging from 35 percent to 41 percent. Chat and text answer rates remain well below the 90 percent target, demonstrating the need for additional resources, staffing, training, and system supports to meet growing demand. DHCS will directly support California 988 Crisis Centers to improve and maintain a high answer rate for 988 calls, chats, and texts. Grant activities will prioritize continued training and technical assistance, workforce expansion, follow-up capacity, and maintenance of the California 988 Network Referral Resource Center. DHCS will also collaborate with 988 Crisis Centers and key partners to support performance metrics, improve referrals, strengthen follow-up care, and integrate 988 services with California’s broader crisis system infrastructure. This grant will expand access to crisis support services, reinforce the California 988 Network’s presence statewide, and strengthen coordination among county governments, providers, community organizations, foundations, and other partners. Project goals include enhancing recruitment, hiring and training of the 988 workforce; improving quality and clinical practices; strengthening crisis contact follow-up and referral protocols; supporting sustainability planning; and fostering 911/988 coordination and integration. Measurable objectives include achieving at least a 90 percent answer rate across all contacts and implementing required statewide activities and deliverables within the timelines established in the project work plan. These efforts will improve local 988 capacity, support project sustainability, and advance the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s strategic priority of expanding crisis service intervention services for individuals and families throughout California. The 988 State and Territory Local Capacity Cooperative Agreement application and budget narrative comply with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations, including any terms and conditions referenced in the Notice of Funding Opportunity to the extent those terms and conditions are consistent with applicable law, including congressional appropriations directives, and are not otherwise enjoined.
