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Helpline Center outlines 211 and 988 services, requests increased county funding for 2026
Summary
The Helpline Center presented statistics on Lincoln County usage of 2-1-1 and 988 crisis services and requested a county allocation increase from $9,473 (2025) to $12,000 for 2026.
The Helpline Center briefed the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on March 25 about its 2-1-1 information-and-referral services, the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, and volunteer-connection programs, and asked the county to increase its 2026 allotment to $12,000 from $9,473 in 2025.
Amy Carter, chief operating officer for the Help Line Center, said the agency fields 24-hour 2-1-1 calls, texts and emails to connect residents with housing, food, utility and other social services and is the primary statewide contact point for disaster-related information. She also described the 988 lifeline, which the Help Line Center routes for South Dakota and staffs with masters-level counselors who handle calls, texts and chats and provide follow-up when needed.
Carter provided county-specific data: for the past year, the Help Line Center received just over 1,100 contacts from Lincoln County residents via 2-1-1, identifying more than 2,600 needs; 2-1-1 contacts were most commonly for basic needs such as housing and utility assistance. For 988, the Help Line Center reported 357 Lincoln County contacts in 2024, with about 97% of calls deescalated and stabilized without law-enforcement dispatch. Carter noted an increase in text and chat usage and said 988 is intended for behavioral-health or substance-use crises as well as suicidal crises.
Commissioners asked whether services extend to tribal communities; Carter said the Help Line Center provides services statewide and does answer calls from reservations. Commissioners and staff commended the center's disaster coordination role and its volunteer programs, including SALSA (Serve And Learn Student Association) that connects high-school students with volunteer opportunities.
Amy Carter said the 211 and 988 dashboards are publicly available on the Help Line Center website and offered to answer follow-up questions about performance metrics and the 2026 funding request. The presentation did not result in an immediate county funding vote; the agency will be listed among service providers as the commissioners make 2026 budget decisions.
