NNews-July-2023

9 July 2023 EXPANSION OF RESIDENTIAL CRISIS DIVERSION BEDS Assistant Commissioner Mielke: We have had residential crisis diversion beds for years. Many of them are run by individuals with lived experience. We anticipate issuing an RFP over the next couple of months to expand capacity. INCREASES OF STAFF AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CALL CENTERS Assistant Commissioner Mielke: DMHAS received $12.8 million from state funds (SFY23) to support the New Jersey 988 infrastructure. Approximately $2.8 million has been awarded to the managing entity, which will dispatch the mobile crisis services, monitor quality of the call centers, establish performance standards and provide support and technical assistance to the call centers to make improvements as needed. We would like to build the ability to receive feedback from people who use 988 about their experiences and howwe can be even more responsive to ensure positive experiences across the board. We will soon issue an RFP to further expand capacity to answer calls and respond to text and chat messages. Currently in New Jersey, only one center is responding to text and chat messages. However, national backup centers do respond to any calls, texts or chats that are not handled by the state centers. SEND QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO DMHAS Questions and comments about 988 can be sent to DMHAS through a dedicated e-mail address: 988Questions@dhs.nj.gov To be placed on our mental health professional referral list, email info@njcts.org. NJCTS provides: answers to families through referrals to programs and services; education and training so that peers and professionals will be better qualified to help those affected; and support to research programs so that we can find better treatments and a cure. www.njcts.org