Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral‑health‑services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State seeks $10 million for 988 expansion, continues funding for crisis stabilization centers
Summary
Department of Human Services told lawmakers the state—s 988 crisis system is answering more calls in‑state and needs targeted funds to bolster text/chat capacity and interoperability with 911; the governor proposes $10 million for 988 and continuation of $5 million for crisis walk‑in/stabilization centers.
HARRISBURG — Lawmakers heard that Pennsylvania has expanded its 988 crisis call network and is aiming to add funds to sustain and grow services such as text/chat response and crisis stabilization centers.
Secretary Acush told the House appropriations panel that the state currently has 12 988 call centers and two more were about to open. "We are now answering over 90% of the calls from Pennsylvanians right here in Pennsylvania," she said, noting a shift away from out‑of‑state handling. She added that roughly "85% of the people that call... the issue that they're called about is handled right there on the phone," reducing police involvement and unnecessary emergency department visits.
Nut graf: The governor—s proposed budget includes $10 million to stabilize and expand 988 services and a $5 million continuation for crisis walk‑in or stabilization centers; DHS said funds would be used for text/chat capacity, improved 911/988 interoperability and to support counties.
Department officials said the $10 million would support increased texting capacity — a growing share of contacts — and funds to improve interoperability so calls or contacts can be routed correctly between 911 and 988. The secretary noted these interoperability improvements would also help counties whose 911 teams shoulder substantial operational expense.
Lawmakers also discussed crisis walk‑in centers. The department said last year—s $5 million was already funding counties without stabilization centers and that five new centers were expected to open this year; this year the budget continues that $5 million and also includes $20 million in additional county‑flexible mental health funds that counties could use for crisis services.
On language access, Acush said 988 uses "language line" vendors and multilingual staff; the department told lawmakers that language line gives access to a broad set of languages when needed.
Ending: DHS said it is building toward more robust mobile crisis capacity in every county and would prioritize funding for technological upgrades and chat/text staffing, asking the legislature to support the proposed 988 appropriation.
