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Crisis-hotline providers urge Senate to restore 988 funding to governor’s proposal
Summary
Multiple crisis-service witnesses told the Senate Finance Committee that 988 call volume is rising rapidly and urged restoration of the governor’s executive budget funding levels — $34 million in FY2026 and $41 million in FY2027 — after the House reduced the appropriation.
Witnesses from county and community crisis providers told the Senate Finance Committee that 988 volumes and service demand have increased sharply and urged the Senate to restore funding to the governor’s executive proposal.
Joseph Nijeweski of North Central Mental Health Services said monthly 988 call volumes rose from 1,122 calls in January 2023 to 3,287 calls in April 2025 at his center and that his organization anticipates answering more than 40,000 calls in 2025. "For the majority of calls to 988, our staff are able to help the person in crisis to avoid the need for law enforcement and other emergency responders to be dispatched," he said, adding that callers are connected to trained providers rather than dispatchers.
Bridal Stroh, CEO and medical director of NET Care, said 988 contacts are not only triage but often on‑demand treatment with licensed counselors and social workers, and that at NET Care "95 percent of the 26,000 plus contacts we took in 2024 did not require anyone to be sent to the caller's location." Both witnesses said the House cut to 988 funding would leave operational costs below current needs and recommended restoring the governor’s numbers: $34,000,000 in FY2026 and $41,000,000 in FY2027.
Why it matters: Witnesses argued 988 is a 24/7, clinical crisis response system that reduces downstream use of emergency departments and law enforcement and that rising volumes require higher appropriations than the House provided.
Committee exchange and outcome: Testimony urged restoration but no decision restoring the governor’s funding levels was recorded in the hearing transcript. Senators heard data and provider perspectives on call volumes, in‑person mobile crisis follow-ups and cost pressures facing local centers.
Ending: Providers urged prompt action during the budget process to avoid service disruptions as demand rises.
