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988 calls rise in Spokane; regional crisis line integration, 24/7 dispatch unit expand response
Summary
Frontier Behavioral Health and Spokane’s ASO reported increased use of 988 in the region, plans to add chat and text this fiscal year, and a newly operational 24/7 mobile dispatch coordination unit to streamline crisis triage and mobile response.
Jan (Frontier Behavioral Health) reported that 988 call volume has increased in the Spokane region and that users are choosing 988 more often than the regional crisis line. She said Frontier currently handles voice calls and that chat and text are available from other 988 centers now; Frontier plans to add chat and text within the coming fiscal year so local callers can use those channels and reach a local team.
"We see that our community is using 988 more than they are using the regional crisis line," Jan said, and she added that the region currently sees about a 50/50 split of calls between 988 and the regional crisis line but expects chat/text to shift usage patterns as local capacity expands.
Ashley McGee, behavioral health manager for the regional ASO, updated the group on operational integration aimed at faster dispatch and better coordination. She said the region’s crisis response triage and mobile dispatch coordination unit (MDU) has been building since December and went 24/7 operational in May. The MDU will coordinate dispatch and deployment in alignment with state guidance so calls to either 988 or the regional crisis line can lead to a coordinated local response.
Ashley also summarized the statewide process for endorsing mobile rapid‑response teams. Frontier applied to have a team endorsed; the state planned July‑1 endorsements but indicated a slight delay in issuing final endorsements. Endorsed teams are intended to meet time standards and be dispatchable from 988 for faster on‑scene crisis response.
These items were presented as operational updates and planning; no board action was taken. Meeting participants were directed to regional webpages and meeting minutes for details about service volumes, minutes and planned tech‑platform changes.
