Wichita and Affiliated Tribe's 988 Tribal Response project. - TThe Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (WAT) proposes the 988 Tribal Response Project to expand culturally responsive 988 crisis response services for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals across a ten-county service area in southwestern Oklahoma. Building upon two successful Tribal 988 cooperative agreements, WAT will strengthen an established Tribal crisis response system by improving access to culturally competent crisis intervention, enhancing coordination between 988 crisis centers and Tribal behavioral health services, and increasing timely connections to treatment, recovery, and ongoing support. The project serves AI/AN individuals of all ages residing in or receiving services within the Indian Health Service Lawton Service Unit, including Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, Stephens, and Tillman counties. This predominantly rural region experiences significant behavioral health workforce shortages, elevated suicide risk among AI/AN populations, limited access to same-day behavioral health care, inconsistent Tribal caller identification within existing 988 systems, and fragmented coordination among crisis response partners. These challenges reduce timely access to culturally responsive crisis services and continuity of care following behavioral health emergencies. The 988 Tribal Response Project will strengthen formal partnerships with Oklahoma's 988 crisis centers (Solari and Heartline), the Oklahoma TR988 Workgroup, Tribal and community behavioral health providers, schools, hospitals, Tribal law enforcement, first responders, and other community partners. WAT will maintain dedicated behavioral health therapist and Peer Recovery Support Specialist positions to ensure same-day or next-business-day follow-up care for AI/AN individuals following a 988 contact. The project will also strengthen Tribal caller identification and referral pathways, maintain a HIPAA-compliant data tracking system supporting SPARS reporting and continuous quality improvement, implement culturally responsive training for 988 crisis center staff and community partners, develop and implement a Tribal 988 communication strategy, integrate Tribal culture and protective factors into crisis response services, and participate fully in SAMHSA's national evaluation and technical assistance activities. Project goals are to: (1) ensure AI/AN individuals have access to culturally competent, trained 988 crisis center support; (2) improve coordination, navigation, and follow-up care between 988 crisis centers and Tribal behavioral health services; and (3) strengthen collaboration among Tribal, state, and local partners in a manner that respects Tribal sovereignty while improving behavioral health crisis response. Expected outcomes include increased completion of culturally responsive training, improved referral success rates, expanded same-day access to behavioral health services, increased awareness and utilization of 988 resources, stronger cross-system partnerships, and measurable improvements in crisis response performance through ongoing evaluation and SPARS reporting. Grounded in evidence-informed practices, continuous quality improvement, and Tribal cultural values, the 988 Tribal Response Project will build upon WAT's proven Tribal 988 infrastructure to create a more coordinated, culturally responsive crisis system that improves access to care, strengthens community partnerships, and enhances behavioral health outcomes for AI/AN individuals and families throughout southwestern Oklahoma.
