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Officials pitch outreach and partnerships to raise awareness of 988 and crisis alternatives to 911
Summary
EveryMind, DHHS, MCPD and community partners described outreach efforts — including presentations to schools and a Jan. 21 NAMI event — to explain 988, 311 and crisis‑center services and to encourage appropriate use of alternatives to 911.
Officials and nonprofit partners told councilmembers they are actively working to raise public awareness about when to call 988, 911, or the county crisis center and to incorporate lived‑experience voices into outreach.
Ariel Gordon of EveryMind said the nonprofit’s community education team has reached more than 2,000 people since July with information about 988 and how it differs from 911 and the county hotline. Montgomery County Police and HHS staff said they regularly attend community events and will host a NAMI session on Jan. 21 to discuss the differences among MCOT, the pilot CRT/CRT‑style teams, and other resources.
Officials emphasized tailoring messages to different audiences—schools, hospitals, providers and residents—and invited councilmembers to partner on expanded town halls and visibility campaigns. Council President Kate Stewart asked that committees remember to fund outreach and reclassification work in the next budget cycle so the gains in capacity are sustained.
