Frontier Behavioral Health becomes first endorsed crisis team for Spokane region; 988 hub changes expected

Frontier Behavioral Health was designated the first endorsed mobile crisis team for the Spokane Region, effective Aug. 1, Spokane County Regional Behavioral Health ASO facilitator Calen Roy said at a quarterly Spokane Regional Crisis Collaborative meeting. The endorsement follows standards set under House Bill 1134 and opens avenues for 988 funding, Roy said.

The Health Care Authority’s endorsement requirements that Roy described include 24/7 staffing, required training to be completed in the first three to six months, transportation and communications equipment, and a one‑hour response time for a “behavioral health emergency” as defined in the Washington Administrative Code, he said. An endorsed team is eligible to pursue 988 funding streams tied to crisis-response infrastructure, Roy added.

Roy also summarized a joint statement from the Washington State Department of Health and the Health Care Authority about the future of 988 in the state. He said five agencies have applied for 988 hub designation and the agencies expect determinations by Jan. 1, 2026. He listed existing 988 hubs in Washington as Crisis Connections, Volunteers of America and Frontier Behavioral Health.

Roy noted a government‑to‑government relationship training required for endorsed crisis teams will be offered virtually Sept. 26 and that the Health Care Authority opened the session to other providers. Two planned presentations on the meeting agenda — from STARS and a mobile diagnostic unit presentation from Frontier Behavioral Health staff member Mike — were postponed and will be rescheduled at a future quarterly meeting, Roy said.

No formal votes or policy actions occurred at the SRCC meeting; the endorsement and 988 hub applications were described as actions or processes occurring outside the meeting.

For more information about endorsement standards or the Sept. 26 training, contact the Spokane County Regional Behavioral Health ASO.