Regional Crisis Lines (RCLs) and 988 policy statement update

Washington State Health Care Authority sent this bulletin at 09/09/2024 04:00 PM PDT

September 9, 2024

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Regional Crisis Lines (RCLs) and 988 policy statement update

Since the passage of HB 1477 and the implementation of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Washington, there have been questions about the role of Regional Crisis Lines (RCLs) in the future. RCLs are a key part of a region’s crisis system – acting both as the primary access point to crisis services and as a regional coordination center.

In May 2023, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) issued a joint policy statement to address the future alignment of RCLs and 988. This statement outlined an approach to crisis response work that looked at funding, trends, and infrastructure. DOH and HCA held a series of meetings with key system partners including Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations (BH-ASOs) RCLs, and 988 Lifeline Crisis Centers to reach a recommendation.

This recommendation aligns with the vision of HB 1477 by establishing 988 as the primary access point for people in crisis. To maintain key regional expertise and coordination, RCLs will focus their scope of services on coordination of regional resources, oversight and deployment of mobile crisis response teams, and support for professional referrals. All crisis contacts previously received by RCLs will shift to being answered by 988 Lifeline Crisis Centers, and those crisis centers will expand their services to support this increase in volume.

View the updated policy report

Implementation

Implementing this recommendation will take time and will happen in partnership with our BH-ASOs and 988 Lifeline crisis centers. DOH and HCA will work with system partners to develop a regional implementation plan outlining the changes. This work will begin soon.

RCLs are a vital part of our state’s crisis system and will remain a key part of regional coordination and support. Their understanding and knowledge of their region’s unique needs and people cannot be replaced. Thank you for your thoughtful participation in helping craft a recommendation that builds on the strengths of the regional level. This change supports the collective vision of a seamless crisis response in Washington, where everyone has someone to call, someone to respond, and a place to go.

Questions? Contact HCAProgram1477@hca.wa.gov

About the Health Care Authority (HCA)

Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

There are three pillars of our work: Apple Health (Medicaid); the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs; and behavioral health and recovery. Under these pillars, HCA purchases health care, including behavioral health treatment for more than 2.7 million Washington residents and provides behavioral health prevention, crisis, and recovery supports to all Washington residents.

Please do not reply directly to this message. For more information, visit the HCA website, where you'll also find contact information.

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