The Link Center Selects States for State Policy Academy
The Link Center Launches State Policy Academy to Ensure Inclusive 988 Suicide & Crisis Response Lifeline for Children and Adults with I/DD, Brain Injury and Other Cognitive Disabilities
The Link Center is pleased to announce the selection of six states to participate in a federally funded policy academy to ensure inclusive 988 Suicide & Crisis Response Lifeline systems. These states have demonstrated a commitment to building inclusive and equitable service systems to ensure that, regardless of a person’s disability, they are able to get the treatment and supports that they need.
- Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities
- Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services
- Maryland Department of Health
- Ohio Departments of Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
- West Virginia Department of Human Services
The Link Center is a Project of National Significance (PNS) funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help make mental health treatment and supports more available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), brain injury and other disabilities. The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has joined with ACL on this project to support The Link Center to host this critical policy academy to help states make sure that crisis prevention and response are accessible to all children and adults.
The Policy Academy is led by the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) and NADD, the national organization focused on children and adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health needs. The Policy Academy will provide state-specific technical assistance and peer learning opportunities for the states involved, resulting in a strong plan for cross-system collaboration and policies in each state to ensure an inclusive 988 and crisis response system.