Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) receives $4.1M 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Arizona 988 state and territory improvement (cohort 3) - the Arizona 988 state and territory improvement project addresses the critical need to strengthen Arizona's crisis response system and continuum of care for individuals who access support through the 988 suicide & crisis lifeline. By enhancing access to timely, effective, and coordinated behavioral health services, the project seeks to improve mental health outcomes, reduce suicide risk, and strengthen support for individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The project will focus on two key strategies: 988 lifeline expansion and enhancement: the project will expand the capacity, accessibility, and quality of Arizona’s 988 lifeline services to ensure individuals in crisis have immediate access to trained crisis specialists and appropriate resources. By strengthening coverage and service availability, Arizona will continue to reduce barriers to care and provide timely support to individuals seeking help through calls, texts, and chats. Strengthening post-988 supports: the project will enhance care coordination and follow-up services for individuals who contact 988 by strengthening partnerships among crisis centers, behavioral health providers, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders. These efforts will support seamless transitions to ongoing care, increase service engagement, and ensure individuals receive comprehensive support following a crisis encounter. Project objectives maintain high answer rates for 988 calls while increasing answer rates for texts and chats. Expand the capacity of Arizona’s 988 system to meet increasing demand across all communication channels. Improve coordination between 988, mobile crisis, behavioral health providers, and community-based services. Increase access to timely follow-up care and support for individuals who contact 988. Throughout the project period, Arizona will serve its diverse population, with particular attention to priority populations, including veterans, older adults (65+), adolescents, and american indian communities. Through targeted outreach and culturally responsive interventions, the project aims to improve access to care, reduce suicide risk, and promote resilience and wellness. The project will utilize ongoing data collection, performance monitoring, and evaluation to assess outcomes related to service accessibility, help-seeking behaviors, system performance, and continuity of care. Findings will inform continuous quality improvement efforts and support the replication of successful strategies throughout Arizona and other jurisdictions. By investing in the “Arizona 988 state and territory improvement” project, Arizona has an opportunity to strengthen its crisis response infrastructure, improve access to life-saving services, and build a more connected and responsive behavioral health system. The project reflects the state's commitment to supporting the health, safety, and well-being of all arizonans. Estimated number of people to be served because of the award of this grant: 350,000