Friday, April 26, 2024
4/26/2024
The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health (DMH) will utilize the Illinois 988 Capacity Building Grant to expand capacity of Illinois Lifeline Call Centers (LCCs) to respond to calls, texts and chats from Illinoisans to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in preparation for the roll out of the three digit 988 dialing code on July 16, 2022. Through the development of cooperative agreements with LCCs, DMH will support the recruitment, hiring and training of the necessary workforce staff of the LCCs, enabling them to respond, intervene and provide follow-up services to individuals in Illinois who are experiencing a mental health crisis. In addition, DMH will engage the LCCs in Illinois' efforts to participate in system planning for a unified 988 response, and continued expansion of staffing and the structure of the crisis response system to fulfill the vision of the 988 initiative. By providing adequate levels of funding to the LCCs, DMH will work to ensure that all calls originating from Illinoisans receive a response from a center located within Illinois, while monitoring key performance indicators for each participating LCC and analyzing rates of response to determine any increases needed for the capacity of centers to meet 988 crisis contact demand. Illinois is a large state geographically with a total of 102 counties across 57,915 square miles and a population estimated at 12.85 million people. Only 35 counties have any contracted coverage by an LCC, with only 17 being primary coverage. This significant lack of statewide Lifeline coverage has resulted in a low rate of response by Illinois-based LCCs to Illinoisans contacting the Lifeline for assistance. The most recent quarter of response rate data from Vibrant ranked Illinois last among all states, at 19% of calls from Illinoisans being answered in state. There are currently six LCCs doing this work in Illinois. The characteristics of these centers vary widely, with two operated by county health departments, two by community mental health providers, and two as stand-alone centers. Hours of operation vary, as do the staffing patterns and credentials of staff, technology supports and funding streams. DMH has recently funded one of the six to develop a statewide call center, but DMH lacks regulatory or contractual authority over the remaining centers, which creates a significant disadvantage to ensuring consistency in accountability and regulatory oversight across the system. An adequately funded network of call centers is needed to increase the response rate, with an ultimate goal of 100% of calls, texts and chats from Illinoisans being handled by Illinois LCCs. With the award of this grant, DMH is confident we can achieve this goal, and provide all Illinoisans experiencing a mental health crisis with the immediate and effective responses needed, from call takers who are familiar with the state's unique culture. Based on the most recent data provided by Vibrant on contacts from Illinoisans, it is estimated that a total of 96,600 Illinoisans will benefit from this program on an annual basis.
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).
