HHS Awards $105 Million, Including $14.5 Million to California, for 9-8-8 Implementation

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) this week announced the awarding of nearly $105 million in grant funding, provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to 54 states and territories in advance of the transition of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from the current 10-digit number to the 9-8-8 three-digit dialing code in July.

California received nearly $14.5 million in funding. States and territories are expected to use funds to improve response rates, improve capacity to meet future demand, and ensure calls initiated in their jurisdictions are first routed to local, regional, or state crisis call centers. Award recipients may also use funds to build the workforce necessary for enhancing local text and chat response. Per HHS, “the success of 9-8-8 now rests heavily on the willingness of state, territorial, and local leaders to make additional investments in shoring up the crisis care continuum.”

Additional information is available here.