The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), invites state Medicaid and CHIP agencies to learn about a new virtual technical assistance opportunity: National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC) Learning Collaborative (LC) Series 2: Strengthening the Behavioral Health Crisis Continuum of Care.
Building on the first NTAC LC series, which focused on crisis services workforce development, LC Series 2 will support states in strengthening key components of the behavioral health crisis continuum of care. Through expert-informed content, facilitated discussion, and peer-to-peer exchange, participating state Medicaid agencies will have an opportunity to convene on a monthly basis (from November 2026 through June 2027) to share implementation experiences, explore promising approaches, and identify strategies that can be adapted within their own systems.
Virtual Information Session: Technical Assistance Opportunity Announcement: NTAC Learning Collaborative Series 2: Strengthening the Behavioral Health Crisis Continuum of Care.
Date/Time: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 3–4 p.m. ET
During this introductory webinar, the NTAC team will provide an overview of LC Series 2, including its goals, session structure, proposed session topics and timeframe (i.e., November 2026 – June 2027), participant eligibility and expectations, and how to express interest in participating in this opportunity. The session will conclude with a question-and-answer period. All state Medicaid agencies (and their affiliated behavioral health/partner agencies) are encouraged to attend to learn more about this opportunity.
Quick Glance at LC Series 2 Topic Areas:
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Someone to Contact: 988 and other behavioral health crisis lines
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Someone to Respond: Mobile crisis response and related implementation considerations
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A Safe Place for Help: Crisis stabilization and other facility-based services within a coordinated system
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Priority Populations and Settings: Youth and families, rural and underserved communities, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Please register for the October 28 information session here: https://norc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ererCQ9SR366gV5nSBZr5g#/registration
Feel free to share this invitation with fellow state Medicaid agency colleagues within your state who may be interested in learning more about this TA opportunity.
Best regards,
The CMS/NORC Crisis Services NTAC Team
