988GrowSC - 988GrowSC will address the unique needs of people across South Carolina through 988 workforce expansion and retention, specialized training, updated follow-up and cybersecurity protocols, and partnerships across the Crisis Care Continuum. The goals of this project include: 1. I -seekers via all modalities by 1. Increasing the state's capacity to support South Carolina help-seekers via all modalities by funding workforce, supporting staff retention, and training, 2. Enhancing the 988 Crisis Care Continuum infrastructure by developing and implementing standardized policies and procedures related to follow-up and referral, coordination with 911 and Mobile Crisis, sentinel events, privacy, cybersecurity, and sustainability, and 3. Expanding awareness of 988 and other Crisis Care Continuum resources by developing and implementing a state-wide, education-focused communication plan by the end of year one of the grant. South Carolinians have sought help from 988 in ever-increasing numbers1 since the rollout in 2022, and substance use crisis was one of the top three primary reasons for calling in 20252. Given the current increase in SC s call volume, 988GrowSC expects to answer at least 52,000 contacts each year of the grant with a total number of contacts being 156,000 over the grant term. This project will have an innovative and data-driven approach to expand the 988 Contact Center' capacity in service of all South Carolinians regardless of age, service needs, or mental health diagnosis. 988GrowSC will maintain a strategic focus on partnership with the SC Center for Excellence in Addiction to develop evidence-based substance use disorder training. The project will also include regular meetings with Contact Center leadership to monitor workforce wellbeing and expansion, alignment with protocols and policies, and data quality. Efforts will also go towards improvements in 988/911 interoperability. All efforts will be towards meeting the above goals in line with SAMHSA's Strategic Priorities. Statement of Needs (SoN): 1. Building a robust crisis response system that provides someone to call, chat, or text, serving anyone, anytime, anywhere, and 2. Linking to providers who offer mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention for all help-seekers. Table 1. SC Census 2010-2020: Population of Focus (POF)3 Demographic South Carolina Population 5,570,274 Race and Ethnicity 68% white, 24% black, 4% two or more races present, 2 % Asian, 1% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaii or Pacific Islander, 9% Hispanic or Latino Federally Recognized Tribe 1 federally recognized tribe Language 8% speak a language other than English at home Sex 48% male, 52% female Age 21% (Under 18) 79% (Over 18) Socioeconomic Status Median Household Income $69,324 Percent Employed 60%, Percent in poverty 13%, Percent high school graduates 90%, Percent bachelor's degree or higher 32%
