Upcoming Events

SAMHSA invites states, counties, Tribal nations, territories, 911 centers, and behavioral health crisis service providers to join a practical, solutions-focused webinar introducing a new framework designed to help communities move forward with confidence.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the difference between perceived and actual liability risks in 988 vs.911 coordination
• Learn how to use Memorandums Of Understanding (MOUs),  protocols, and training to support safer collaboration
• Explore risk assessment and triage frameworks that improve outcomes
• Review real-world state and Tribal examples addressing liability and responder protections
• Identify clear next steps to strengthen coordination in your own communities

The 988 & 911: Strengthening Crisis Response While Managing Risk and Liability framework is a resource tool that was developed to support communities at all stages of interoperability. It does not provide legal advice; instead, it offers field-informed guidance that helps partners navigate complex concerns while strengthening crisis response systems.

This webinar is designed to move communities from hesitation to action safely, thoughtfully, and collaboratively.

This webinar will examine prevention within child, youth, and family (CYF) crisis systems through a System of Care (SOC) lens that prioritizes early identification, protective factors, and family-driven support. Participants will explore how prevention operates upstream of crisis by strengthening family capacity, building community-based support, and aligning cross-system partners to reduce risk before escalation occurs. The webinar will highlight how youth- and family-guided planning, responsive practices, and school and community partnerships create stability, safety, and connection while decreasing unnecessary emergency and restrictive interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the core elements of prevention in child and youth crisis systems, including protective factors, early identification, and community-based support.
• Explain how youth- and family-guided planning strengthens crisis preparedness and reduces escalation.
• Identify how schools, behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and health care systems collaborate to support prevention.
• Apply community-responsive prevention strategies that reflect family identity and firsthand experience.
• Elevate the ways suicide prevention and crisis services can work collaboratively to effectively impact the lives of children, youth, and families.

Immediately following this webinar, there will be an Office Hour session from 3:30-4 PM (ET). 

Collaborative response models that bring together public safety personnel—including law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services—working in partnership with crisis care providers have shown significant promise in improving outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises through diversion to appropriate behavioral health care rather than unnecessary arrests or emergency department visits.

This webinar will examine collaborative crisis response models and strategies for communities to move toward proactive, coordinated responses that improve outcomes and strengthen the community’s trust in both public safety services and the crisis care system. The workshop will also address common challenges faced when adopting collaborative response models and offer practical strategies to overcome obstacles such as interagency coordination, resource limitations, and community engagement. Participants will leave equipped with actionable approaches to implement or strengthen collaborative crisis response efforts in their own communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe key components of collaborative response models and emerging practices
• Identify improved outcomes associated with collaborative response models in crisis care
• Develop strategies to overcome common challenges in adopting collaborative response models
   

Speakers

• Chief David Busz, Montesano Fire Department, Montesano Washington

There will be an information exchange with the presenters addressing questions submitted live and during the workshop registration process.

As crisis systems continue to evolve, it is essential to recognize and elevate the contributions of those with lived experience, traditional wisdom, and community trust. Tribal elders and older adults represent a critical but underutilized resource in strengthening crisis prevention, response, and recovery efforts. Their perspectives, relationships, and knowledge can enhance awareness, trust‑building, and continuity across the crisis continuum.

This workshop will explore how crisis and behavioral health systems can intentionally integrate Tribal elders and older adults into crisis system design and delivery. Geared toward crisis system leaders, behavioral health providers, 988 coordinators, peer support programs, Tribal organizations, and community-based providers, the session will highlight practical strategies, training options, and real‑world examples of leveraging elders’ and older adults’ strengths in prevention, response, care navigation, and recovery support.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the unique value of Tribal elders and older adult peer specialists in crisis prevention, response, and recovery, including the role of lived experience and community trust.
• Understand how elders and older adults can be integrated across the crisis continuum, including prevention and outreach, crisis response, peer support, care navigation, and follow‑up.
• Identify models for embedding traditional wisdom and age‑informed practices within evidence‑based crisis and behavioral health frameworks.
• Explore implementation strategies, training pathways, and lessons learned from state and community examples.
   

This webinar explores recovery within children, youth, and family (CYF) crisis systems through a System of Care (SOC) framework that emphasizes healing, stability, and long-term wellbeing. Participants will examine how recovery support extends beyond crisis resolution to help youth and families regain control, strengthen coping capacity, and maintain functional stability over time. The webinar highlights how continuity of care, community responsive support, and firsthand-experience partnerships create pathways that reduce relapse, prevent re-crisis, and support sustained recovery across the crisis continuum.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the core elements of recovery-oriented crisis systems for children and youth
• Identify strategies that support stabilization, continuity of care, and long-term stability after a crisis
• Explain the role of families, youth, and peer supports in guiding recovery
• Apply trauma-informed and community responsive recovery practices
• Identify when and how to collaborate with youth and family peers to promote recovery-oriented care.

Immediately following this webinar, there will be an Office Hour session from 3:30-4 PM (ET). 

Faith communities are often the first place individuals and families turn to when they are struggling with emotional distress, trauma, or crisis. This webinar explores how 988 crisis systems can build meaningful, sustained partnerships with a broad range of faith-based organizations, including congregations, spiritual and religious leaders, houses of worship, chaplaincy programs, and faith-rooted nonprofits. Together, we will examine how these partners can help promote awareness of 988; support individuals in having someone to contact, someone to respond, and a safe place for help; and strengthen post-crisis follow-up and healing. Participants will leave with practical strategies, tools, and examples that honor community, spirituality, and firsthand experience while advancing access to crisis care.

Learning Objectives: 

• Define an expansive understanding of “faith community,” including congregations, spiritual leaders, faith-specific traditions, chaplaincy programs, indigenous healing providers, and faith-rooted community organizations.
• Describe the concrete roles faith-based partners can play across the 988 crisis continuum (outreach and education, crisis response support, and post-crisis follow-up and healing).
• Identify strategies to initiate, nurture, and sustain collaborative relationships with faith-based partners that honor the strength of community, spirituality, and community-defined practices.

Speakers: 

• Dr. Monty Burks, HHS
• Miguel Flores, Holistic Wellness Counseling and Consultant Services
• Rabbi Sandra Cohen, NAMI Colorado Boulder
• Dr. Glen Milstein, City College of New York