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Spokane leads regionally as 988/RCL integration advances despite tech pause
Summary
Department of Health reported a 66% increase in 988 call volume in the Spokane region from 2024 to 2025 and said the region’s Frontier hub remains designated and on track for a July transition; a planned tech project was paused but DOH described a ‘no‑wrong‑door’ strategy and work to formalize interagency oversight.
Katie Lindström of the Department of Health’s 988 unit told the group that the Spokane region experienced the largest growth in 988 call volume statewide — a 66% increase from 2024 to 2025 — compared with a 37% statewide growth rate.
“Spokane region ... has had the most growth of any region. There was a 66% increase in call volume from 2024 to 2025,” Katie said. She confirmed Frontier will remain the region’s designated hub and completed its first draft readiness assessment on time.
Katie acknowledged a separate technology project that had been planned for infrastructure investment was paused (the tech work was not included in the enacted budget), but said the pause will not stop operational transition work. DOH staff described readiness activities now focused on policies, training, contracts and budgets so a July transition can proceed. The department also emphasized a “no‑wrong‑door” access model so callers can reach crisis services via 988, direct lines to regional crisis lines (RCL), mobile crisis teams or professional referral.
DOH said the integrated staffing model used in Frontier/Spokane — where the same staff answer 988 and RCL calls — reduces transfers and improves caller experience. Katie and regional partners said that integrated hubs can create administrative efficiencies and increase opportunities to capture Medicaid revenue for crisis encounters.
DOH and HCA staff said they are working to formalize co‑funding and oversight structures across agencies and plan to continue readiness reviews with hubs and managed‑care organizations through June.
