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What You Need to Know About California’s New 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Line

BLACK VOICE NEWS — Le Ondra Clark-Harvey, Executive Director of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies, explained that call centers have 98% effectiveness in “ameliorating the concerns that so many Californians have.” “For that other 2 to 3%, they are then transferred to the next level of help. So whether that be outpatient treatment, hospitalization, maybe most mobile crises, if a county has a mobile crisis unit, etc,” Clark-Harvey said.

Published

3 years ago

August 23, 2022

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By Breanna Reeves | Black Voice News

On July 16, California debuted the new suicide and crisis hotline number: 988. The short, three-digit federal number is now active across the nation and is an alternative to calling 911 for people experiencing mental health crises.

Recently, 988 has drawn criticism across social media because of the possibility dialing the number could elicit a police response. According to a spokesperson from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number, fewer than 2% of Lifeline calls involve emergency services.

The short, three-digit federal number 988 is now active across the nation and is an alternative to calling 911 for people experiencing mental health crises. (Image: Breanna Reeves).

Involvement of emergency services

“When emergency services are involved, over half of these emergency dispatches occur with the caller’s consent. We recognize that, for some individuals, having contact with emergency services can be traumatic and dangerous, and whenever possible we recommend alternate options such as collaborating on a safety plan, utilizing mobile crisis teams, collaborating with the individual’s loved ones or professionals,” Lifeline stated in an email.

Le Ondra Clark-Harvey, Executive Director of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies, explained that call centers have 98% effectiveness in “ameliorating the concerns that so many Californians have.”

“For that other 2 to 3%, they are then transferred to the next level of help. So whether that be outpatient treatment, hospitalization, maybe most mobile crises, if a county has a mobile crisis unit, etc,” Clark-Harvey said.

When 911 is called in the event of someone having a mental health crisis many local police departments have implemented their own crisis teams that are deployed. In Riverside for example, a Community Behavioral Health Assessment Team (CBAT) that consists of two specialty trained police officers and two Riverside County clinical therapists are tasked with responding to calls involving mental health emergencies.

According to Officer Ryan J. Railsback, Public Information Officer for the Riverside Police Department, about 50% of the calls for service that are answered by the department are for mental health emergencies. With trained dispatchers who are trained to recognize the calls, the CBAT addresses the crisis in the field.

“The clinical therapist does a lot of the work. We have the officer there to provide that safe environment for the therapist and for the person that we’re responding to, as well to make sure that they’re feeling safe enough that they can talk with someone,” explained Railsback.

Clark-Harvey emphasized that the importance of 988 is to directly connect people in crisis with crisis counselors who are equipped to support callers in need. She described the new number as a “huge advent in technology.”

Before 988, people were able to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) which Clark-Harvey stated that as a clinician and a psychologist, even she has a tough time remembering the number. The previous number will continue to function indefinitely, according to Lifeline.

“And the great thing is that 988 has been advertised and promoted widely. So, our hope is that there’s going to be less stigma about reaching out when you have a need, or when you’re in crisis,” Clark-Harvey explained. People experiencing a crisis or who need support can call or send a text to 988 and get connected with an operator.

More work to be done

While the 988 number has been applauded by advocates, some remain cautious about future implementation and capacity. Assembly Bill 988, currently going through the CA Legislature, seeks to allocate $8 million from the General Fund to the 988 State Mental Health and Crisis Services Special Fund to support implementation costs.

Omar Gonzalez-Valentino, MS, LMFT, LPCC, is the director of Behavioral Health at TruEvolution, an Inland Empire-based nonprofit organization that advocates for health equity and racial justice on behalf of Black, Latinx and LGBTQ+ people. (source: facebook.com).

“I’m really, really optimistic about this number, but cautiously, because a lot of what the bill actually states is that these numbers have to be made available by July 16. Great, July 16, has come and gone,” Gonzalez-Valentino explained. “But a lot of the infrastructure that supports this number is not set, or at least not mandated to be in place until [later].”

According to AB 988, “The bill would require, no later than July 1, 2024, the office to ensure interoperability between and across crisis and emergency response systems used throughout the state, as described. The bill would require the office to consult with specified entities on any technology requirements for 988 centers.”

Gonzalez-Valentino is worried that some counties will be more proactive than others or will have more funding to roll out a comprehensive implementation plan for 988 crisis centers than underfunded counties who may be slower to implement such changes.

“So in terms of infrastructure, I just worry that folks aren’t going to get necessarily the same response based on their geographic location, which has been an issue for a lot of folks in poor or rural counties already,” Gonzalez-Valentino said. “They traditionally don’t have access to the best levels of care or the most immediate levels of care.”

Other local nonprofit organizations like Operation SafeHouse, which supports youth in crisis, are supportive of the new 988 number, but a clinician at the organization plans to test the hotline to get a better sense of the response time.

There is concern that some people will not necessarily receive the same response based on their geographic location. This has already been an issue for some in poor or rural counties. (source: samsha.gov).

Norma Biegel, Western Riverside Region Manager at Operation SafeHouse, explained that the organization operates a text message application for youth in crisis, but the application is only operational from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. For the eight hours a clinician at the organization is unable to respond to a text message, youth in crisis will benefit from the 988 text feature.

“I think it can only benefit everyone as long as they truly have enough people to man the lines, text, however it’s working,” Biegel said. “I think it’s a great feature. I think it’s definitely needed, especially during COVID.”

Limited capacity for text support

When someone sends a text message to 988, a group of Lifeline crisis centers respond. Texting is currently only available in English. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this service is expected to expand over the next few years to “local and state level response.”

In 2020, during the first year of the pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 45,979 people died by suicide in the U.S. — one death every 11 minutes. Among this population, non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Natives had the highest rate, 23.9 per 100,000 people.

“Mental health challenges do not consider any other factors. People are having a hard time, regardless of their gender, their age or their race, their sexuality, folks are struggling right now,” Gonzalez-Valentino stated. “We are not even really out of this pandemic. We like to think we are, but we’re still reminded of it every day. So, make sure that you don’t try to just go it alone. If you’re having a tough time, please make sure that you reach out and utilize the tools that are in place.”

The post What You Need to Know About California’s New 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Line appeared first on Black Voice News.

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LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 1, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

State officials in Minnesota, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania had already issued alerts that the delay could slow the processing of applications or force families to wait until December for help. In Pennsylvania, more than 300,000 households depend on the program each year. Minnesota officials noted that older adults, young children, and people with disabilities face the highest risk as temperatures fall.

The delay also raised concerns among advocates who track household debt tied to rising utility costs. National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe said the funds were “essential and long overdue” and added that high arrearages and increased energy prices have strained families seeking help.

Some states faced additional pressure when other services were affected by the shutdown. According to data reviewed by national energy advocates, roughly 68 percent of LIHEAP households also receive nutrition assistance, and the freeze in multiple programs increased the financial burden on low-income residents. Wolfe said families were placed in “an even more precarious situation than usual” as the shutdown stretched into November.

In Maryland, lawmakers urged the Trump administration to release funds after the state recorded its first cold-related death of the season. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man in his 30s was found outdoors in Frederick County when temperatures dropped. Last winter, the state documented 75 cold-related deaths, the highest number in five years. Rep Kweisi Mfume joined more than 100 House members calling for immediate federal action and said LIHEAP “is not a luxury” for the 100,000 Maryland households that rely on it. He added that seniors and veterans would be placed at risk if the program remained stalled.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used $10.1 million in state funds to keep benefits moving, but noted that states cannot routinely replace federal dollars. His administration said families that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are particularly vulnerable.

The District of Columbia has already mapped out its FY26 LIHEAP structure in documents filed with the federal government. The District’s plan shows that heating assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and year-round crisis assistance operate from October 1 through September 30. The District allocates 50 percent of its LIHEAP funds to heating assistance, 10 percent to cooling, 13 percent to year-round crisis assistance, 15 percent to weatherization, and 10 percent to administrative costs. Two percent is used for services that help residents reduce energy needs, including education on reading utility bills and identifying energy waste.

The District’s plan lists a minimum LIHEAP benefit of $200 and a maximum of $1,800 for both heating and cooling assistance. Crisis benefits are provided separately and may reach up to $500 when needed to resolve an emergency. The plan states that a household is considered in crisis if it has been disconnected from energy service, if heating oil is at 5 percent or less of capacity, or if the household has at least $200 owed after the regular benefit is applied.

The District’s filing notes that LIHEAP staff conduct outreach through community meetings, senior housing sites, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, social media, posters, and mass mailings. The plan confirms that LIHEAP applicants can apply in person, by mail, by email, or through a mobile-friendly online application and that physically disabled residents may request in-home visits.

As agencies nationwide begin distributing the newly released funds, states continue working through large volumes of applications. Wolfe said LIHEAP administrators “have been notified that the award letters have gone out and the states can begin to draw down the funds.”

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Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think

Published

2 weeks ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think: They lay the foundation for some of life’s most important skills.

Through everyday play, young children begin learning essential social and emotional skills like sharing, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These social skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. Socialization in early childhood isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for development.

Yet today, many young children who haven’t yet started school aren’t getting enough consistent, meaningful interaction with peers. Research shows that there’s a decline in active free play and peer socialization when compared to previous generations.

There are many reasons for this. Children who are home with a parent during the day may spend most of their time with adults, limiting opportunities for peer play. Those in daycare or preschool may have restricted free play, and large classrooms can reduce supervision and social coaching. Some children live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, have full schedules, or rely on screens to fill their playtime. And for some families, finding other families with young children to connect with isn’t easy.

While these challenges can feel significant, opportunities for connection still exist in every community. Families can take simple steps to help children build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social skills. Here are some ideas to get started:

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores

Some of these community activities are free or low-cost and give kids the chance to build friendships and practice social skills. Parents can also model positive social behavior by interacting with other parents and encouraging their children to play with their peers.

These may seem like small moments of connection, but they can have a powerful impact. Every time your child shares a toy, plays make-believe with peers, or races a friend down the slide, they’re not just playing—they’re learning the skills that build confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships. And it’s good for you, too. Creating intentional opportunities for play also helps you strengthen your own network of parents who can support one another as your children grow together.

Oakland Post

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Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

Published

2 weeks ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores