Helpline Center reports 31,497 local contacts through Sept.; notes 988 rollout and partnership with 911

Summary

Janet Kittams, CEO of the Helpline Center, told the commission the center handled 31,497 contacts through September 2021 in Minnehaha County, with housing, food and health care as top needs; she described updates including a new website/app and the July 2022 transition to 988 for mental health crisis response.

Janet Kittams, chief executive officer of the Helpline Center, briefed the Minnehaha County Commission on Nov. 2 about the center’s scope of services and a planned transition to the national 988 crisis number.

Kittams said the Helpline Center recorded 31,497 contacts through September 2021 for Minnehaha County residents, and that the three most common needs were housing, food/meals and health care. She told commissioners the center has updated its website and launched a mobile application to make resource access easier.

Kittams also discussed the national change to 988, planned for July 2022, describing 988 as a mental health information, support and crisis line and explaining the intended partnership between 988 and local 911 systems. The Helpline Center’s 211 service and volunteer-connections work were described as complementary to the 988 rollout.

The commission received the briefing; no formal funding action on 988 or the Helpline Center was taken at the meeting.