State staff outline phased plan, vendor options and funding questions for 988 crisis system

State staff told the Senate Ways & Means Committee that work to stand up Washington’s 988 crisis-response system has moved from planning into procurement preparation but will be implemented in phases and likely requires additional funding.

The presentation said the state received an approved advanced planning document for federal match and that an 18‑month extension given in 2023 allowed staff to stretch implementation work. The briefing noted a variance between amounts shown on different slides: “if you look at the Department of Health there, the amount spent, if you add up those 2 for fiscal years 24 and 25, it roughs out to $450,000 as opposed to the 1.3 that you saw on the screen,” a presenter said, adding that the larger figure reflected an encumbrance rather than cash spend.

Committee members were told the feasibility study evaluated multiple…