Crisis Response Improvement Strategy (CRIS) committees

Crisis response improvement strategy overview

The Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1477 which directs the Health Care Authority (HCA), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Behavioral Health Institute (BHI) at Harborview Medical Center to create the Crisis Response Improvement Strategy (CRIS) Committee and Steering Committee. Both committees include legislatures, providers, consumers, and partner agencies.

Read more about the committee members.

Meeting schedule and materials

Learn about public comments at CRIS meetings.

2024

CRIS Committee

Date	How to join	Meeting materials
December 2024

Steering Committee

Date	How to join	Meeting materials
Tuesday, December 10 1 to 3 p.m.

Lived Experience Subcommittee

Date	How to join	Meeting materials
Monday, December 9 1 to 3 p.m.

Past meetings

2024

Committee	Date	Meeting materials
CRIS Committee	Wednesday, November 13	Meeting focus: This meeting focused on feedback on the draft Committee final report as well as discussing future plans for the CRIS in 2025. View the meeting agenda. (11/13/2024) View the meeting presentation. (11/13/2024)  View the meeting recording. (11/13/2024)  CRIS written public comments (November 2024) CRIS Committee final report (January 2025 draft)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Tuesday, November 12	View the meeting agenda. (11/12/2024)
Tribal listening session	Monday, November 4	CRIS final report-draft for CRIS and Tribal review
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Tuesday, October 15	Meeting focus: This meeting focused on the Lived Experience Stories Project, development of final CRIS Committee recommendations, and discussion of the Subcommittee's ideas for continued Lived Experience engagement in efforts to improve Washington's behavioral health crisis response.  View the meeting agenda (10/15/2024)  View the meeting presentation (10/15/2024)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, September 9	Meeting focus: This meeting focused on plans for the CRIS Committee in 2025, 988 Geo-routing implementation plans, and updates on the Lived Experience Stories Project. View the meeting agenda (09/09/2024)
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, September 24	View the meeting agenda (09/24/2024) View the meeting presentation (09/24/2024)  View the meeting summary (09/24/2024)  View the meeting recording (09/24/2024)  Summary of previous recommendations (2024)  CRIS Updates newsletter (September 2024)  CRIS Panel discussions summary (2024)  CRIS Lived Experience Stories Project summary  View the CRIS Lived Experience Stories Project presentation  CRIS Panelist Bios (09/24/2024)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, August 12	View the meeting agenda (08/12/2024)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, July 8	Meeting focus: This meeting focused on updates from the June 2024 CRIS Committee meeting and HCA Bed Registry Discovery Session. View the meeting agenda (07/08/2024).
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, July 16	This meeting focused on learning about crisis work in Indian Country, as well as discussing cross system collaborations. View the meeting agenda (07/16/2024) View the meeting presentation (07/16/2024) View the meeting summary (07/16/2024)  View the meeting recording (07/16/2024) View the meeting panelist biographies CRIS updates (July 2024) Mental Health Crisis Call Diversion Initiative mid-point data from the Department of Health (DOH) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) geo-routing comments from DOH DOH 911-988 warm transfer listening sessions CRIS Stories Project flyer
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, June 18	This meeting focused on learning about specific needs of and programs for youth and transitional-age youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis, as well as recommendations on which system expansions and improvements will best serve youth. View the meeting agenda (06/18/2024) View the meeting summary (06/18/2024) View the meeting presentation (06/18/2024) View the meeting recording (06/18/2024) CRIS Updates newsletter June 2024 Panelist bios: youth crisis response system
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, June 10	This meeting continued the discussion of ways to elevate lived experience voices to improve Washington's behavioral health crisis system, as well as focused on updates from HCA, the CRIS Stories Project, and a discussion on Substance use disorder (SUD). View the meeting agenda (06/10/2024) View the meeting presentation (06/10/2024)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, May 13	Meeting focus: This meeting continued the discussion of ways to elevate lived experience voices to improve Washington's behavioral health crisis system, as well as focused on opportunities available in the community for our Lived Experience members to become more involved. View the meeting agenda (05/13/2024) View the meeting presentation (05/13/2024) Lived Experience Subcommittee Engagement Opportunities
CRIS Committee	Thursday, April 18	Meeting focus: This meeting focused on identifying remaining gaps in the discussion of system performance metrics, specifically considerations for individuals with substance use disorder and rural and agricultural communities. View the meeting agenda (04/18/2024) View the meeting summary (04/18/2024) View the meeting recording (04/18/2024) View the panelist discussion recording (04/18/2024) View the meeting presentation (04/18/2024) CRIS Updates newsletter (April 2024) CRIS written public comments (as of April 12, 2024) System metrics (aligning with WA Guiding Principles) WA Behavioral Health current metrics Panelist bios: crisis response in rural and agricultural communities
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, April 8	View the meeting agenda (04/08/2024). View the meeting presentation (04/08/2024). Meeting focus: Updates on the Washington 988 communications campaign and 988 Contact Hub rulemaking, as well as discussion of Substance Use Disorders and Crisis Response.
CRIS Committee	Thursday, March 28	View the meeting agenda (03/28/2024). View the meeting summary (03/28/2024). View the meeting presentation (03/28/2024). Department of Health suicide prevention listening session flyer View the March 2024 updates. View the discussion and input on system performance metrics. View the meeting recording (03/28/2024).
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, March 11	Meeting focus: Continuing discussion of ways to elevate lived experience voices to improve Washington’s behavioral health crisis system, as well as highlighting behavioral health crisis bills in the 2024 legislative session and providing an update on the CRIS February 2024 meeting. View the meeting agenda (03/11/24). View the meeting presentation.
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, February 27	Meeting focus: Articulating a future state of performance metrics for the crisis response system. View the meeting agenda (02/27/2024). View the meeting presentation (02/27/2024). View the meeting summary (02/27/2024) CRIS Updates newsletter (February 2024) Youth MRSS metrics example CRIS Committee progress report Crisis System metrics examples (NASMHPD) Written public comments (as of February 21, 2024) View the meeting recording. Breakout Group 1 recording Breakout Group 2 recording Breakout Group 3 recording
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, February 12	Meeting focus: Continue the discussion of ways to elevate lived experience voices to improve Washington’s behavioral health crisis system, as well as highlight behavioral health crisis bills in the 2024 legislative session and provide an update on the CRIS January 2024 meeting. View the meeting agenda (02/12/2024).
CRIS Committee	Wednesday, January 31	View the meeting agenda (01/31/2024) View the meeting presentation (01/31/2024) View the meeting summary (01/31/2024) View the meeting recording (01/31/2024) CRIS updates newsletter January 2024 CRIS written public comments (01/31/2024)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, January 22	Meeting focus: Key behavioral health crisis bills for the 2024 legislative session, state agency crisis system improvement focus areas, and discussion of ways to elevate lived experience voices to improve Washington’s behavioral health crisis system. View the meeting agenda (01/22/2024).

2023

Committee	Date	Meeting materials
Steering Committee	Monday, December 18	View the meeting agenda (12/08/2023). View the meeting presentation (12/18/2023) View the meeting recording (12/08/2023)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, December 11	View the meeting agenda (12/11/2023).
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, November 13	View the meeting agenda (11/13/2023) View the meeting presentation (11/13/2023).
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, November 7	View the meeting agenda (11/07/2023). View the meeting presentation (11/07/2023). View the meeting recording (11/07/2023). CRIS Updates Newsletter (November 2023) Written public comments (as of November 2, 2023) CRIS Committee draft recommendations
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, October 16	View the meeting agenda (10/16/2023). View the meeting presentation (10/16/2023).
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, September 19	View the meeting agenda (09/19/2023). View the meeting summary (09/19/2023). View the meeting presentation (09/19/2023). View the meeting recording (09/19/2023). Someone to call: Synthesized Gaps and Opportunities Someone to come: Synthesized Gaps and Opportunities A Safe place to be: Synthesized Gaps and Opportunities Written public comments (as of September 20, 2023)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, August 14	View the meeting agenda (08/14/2023). View the HMA presentation recording.
CRIS Committee	Monday, July 17	View the meeting agenda (07/17/2023). View the meeting presentation (07/17/2023). View the meeting summary (07/17/2023). View the meeting recording (07/17/2023). CRIS Updates newsletter (July 2023) Behavioral Health and First Responder workgroup updates Mobile Crisis Response for Adults and Youth Written public comments (as of July 11, 2023) CRIS Subcommittee report (June 2023)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, July 10	View the meeting agenda (07/10/2023). View the meeting presentation (07/10/2023).
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, June 20	View the meeting agenda (06/20/2023). View the meeting presentation (06/20/2023). View the meeting summary (06/20/2023). View the meeting recording (06/20/2023). CRIS Updates Newsletter (June 2023) Crisis stabilization services: root cause analysis Written public comments (as of June 21, 2023) CRIS Subcommittee report (May 2023)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, June 12	View the meeting agenda (06/12/2023). View the meeting presentation (06/12/2023).
Steering Committee	Tuesday, June 6	View the meeting agenda (06/06/2023). View the meeting summary (06/06/2023). View the meeting presentation (06/06/2023). View the meeting recording (06/06/2023).
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, May 16	View the meeting agenda (05/16/2023). View the meeting presentation (05/16/2023). View the meeting summary (05/16/2023). View the meeting recording (05/16/2023). CRIS Updates Newsletter (May 2023) Written public comments (as of May 10, 2023) CRIS Subcommittee report (April 2023)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, May 8	View the meeting agenda (05/08/2023).
CRIS Committee	Wednesday, April 26	View the meeting agenda (04/29/2023). View the meeting presentation (04/29/2023). View the meeting summary (04/29/2023). View the meeting recording (04/29/2023). CRIS Updates Newsletter (April 2023) Written public comments (as of April 19, 2023) WA DOH Youth behavioral health impact report HCA Access to behavioral health report
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, April 10	View the meeting agenda (04/10/2023). View the meeting presentation (04/10/2023).
CRIS Committee	Wednesday, March 22	View the meeting agenda (03/22/2023). View the meeting presentation (03/22/2023). View the meeting summary (03/22/2023). View the meeting recording (03/22/2023). CRIS Updates Newsletter (March 2023) Written public comments (as of March 22, 2023)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, March 13	View the meeting agenda (03/13/2023). View the meeting presentation (03/13/2023).
CRIS Committee	Wednesday, February 15	View the meeting agenda (02/15/2023). View the meeting presentation (02/15/2023). View the meeting summary (02/15/2023). View the meeting recording (02/15/2023). CRIS Updates Newsletter (February 2023) Written public comments (as of February 8, 2023)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, February 13	View the meeting agenda (02/13/2023). View the meeting presentation (02/13/2023).
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Tuesday, January 3	Meeting focus: Opportunity for individuals and families with lived experience to share behavioral health crisis system perspectives and priorities directly with Washington Legislators. In addition to Sen. Dhingra, Sen. Warnick, Rep. Orwall, and Rep. Dent who are on the 988 CRIS committee, many other legislators on both sides of the aisle were at this meeting to listen to feedback.

2022

Committee	Date	Meeting materials
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Wednesday, December 21	Meeting focus: Reflecting on 988 in Washington in 2022
Steering Committee	Thursday, December 15	View the meeting agenda (12/15/2022) View the meeting presentation (12/15/2022) View the meeting recording (12/15/2022)
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, December 13	View the meeting agenda (12/13/2022) View the meeting presentation (12/13/2022) View the meeting recording (12/13/2022)
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, November 15	View the meeting agenda (11/15/2022) View the meeting presentation (11/15/2022) View the meeting recording (11/15/2022)
Steering Committee	Tuesday, October 25	View the meeting agenda (10/25/2022) View the meeting summary (10/25/2022) View the meeting presentation (10/25/2022) View the meeting recording (10/25/2022)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, September 26	View the meeting agenda (9/26/2022)
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, September 20	View the meeting agenda (9/20/2022) View the meeting summary (9/20/2022) View the meeting presentation (9/20/2022) View the meeting recording (9/20/2022)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, August 15	View the meeting agenda (8/15/2022)
Steering Committee	Wednesday, July 20	View the meeting agenda (7/20/2022) View the meeting presentation (7/20/2022) View the meeting recording (7/20/2022)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Wednesday, July 13	View the meeting agenda (7/13/2022) View the meeting presentation (07/13/2022)
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, July 12	View the meeting agenda (7/12/2022) View the meeting presentation (07/12/2022) View the meeting recording (07/12/2022) Crisis services best practice summary High-level work plan (July status update) Learn more about adult crisis response services Learn more about youth crisis response services
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Tuesday, June 7	Meeting agenda (06/07/2022) View the meeting presentation (06/07/2022)
Steering Committee	Thursday, May 19	Meeting agenda (5/19/2022) Meeting summary (5/19/2022) View the meeting presentation (5/19/2022) Revisions of draft vision and guiding principles Comments on draft vision and guiding principles View the meeting recording (5/19/2022)
CRIS Committee	Tuesday, May 10	Meeting agenda (5/10/2022) Meeting summary (5/10/2022) View the meeting presentation (5/10/2022) CRIS draft vision and guiding principles Comments on CRIS draft vision and guiding principles View the meeting recording (5/10/2022)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	Monday, April 18	Meeting agenda (4/18/2022) CRIS draft vision and guiding principles
Steering Committee	March 24	Meeting agenda (3/24/2022) Meeting summary (3/24/2022) View the meeting presentation (3/24/2022) View the meeting recording (3/24/2022)
Lived Experience Subcommittee	March 21	Meeting agenda (3/21/2022) Meeting summary (3/21/2022)
CRIS Committee	March 15	Meeting agenda (3/15/2022) Meeting summary (3/15/2022) View the meeting presentation (3/15/2022) View the meeting recording (3/15/2022)
Steering Committee	February 10	Meeting agenda (2/10/2022) Meeting summary (2/10/2022) High level work plan (2/10/2022) View the meeting recording (2/10/2022)
CRIS Committee	February 1	Meeting agenda (2/1/2022) Meeting summary (2/1/2022) Initial assessment (12/31/21) CRIS member written comments on the initial assessment (as of 1/21/22) CRIS high-level work plan (draft) View the meeting recording (2/1/2022)

2021

CRIS Committee

Date	Meeting materials
November 16	Agenda (11/16/21) Meeting materials (11/16/2021) Meeting summary (11/16/2021) CRIS Committee recording Break out room 1 recording Break out room 2 recording Break out room 3 recording Break out room 4 recording Break out room 5 recording
September 30	Agenda (09/30/2021) Meeting materials (9/30/2021) Meeting summary (9/30/2021) CRIS Committee recording

Steering Committee

Date	Meeting materials
November 9	Meeting agenda (11/9/2021) Meeting summary (11/9/2021) Meeting materials (11/9/2021) Watch the November 9 steering committee meeting
October 12	Meeting agenda (10/12/2021) Meeting summary (10/12/2021) Watch the October 12 steering committee meeting

Subcommittees

Name of meeting	Date	Meeting materials
All-subcommittee kickoff	December 2	Meeting agenda (12/2/2021) Meeting materials (12/2/2021) Watch the Kickoff meeting (12/2/2021)

Committee members

CRIS Committee and Steering Committee

Members represent a diverse range of perspectives and serve in committee seats outlined by HB 1477. View the CRIS Committee and Steering Committee roster.

CRIS subcommittees

The Steering Committee formed seven CRIS subcommittees:

• Credentialing and Training Subcommittee
• Technology Subcommittee
• Cross-System Crisis Response Subcommittee
• Confidential Information Compliance and Coordination
• Rural and Agricultural Communities
• Lived Experience (open to all individuals and families with lived experience; subcommittee will not be limited in size)
• Tribal 988 Subcommittee (facilitated through the Tribal Centric Behavioral Health Advisory Board)

Subcommittees will help support implementation of the new 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and help develop recommendations for an integrated behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention system in Washington. The CRIS Steering Committee selected subcommittee members for their diverse community perspectives and professional expertise.

For information about subcommittee work, please see the HB 1477 2023 Subcommittee report.

View the 2022 HB 1477 Subcommittee report.

Lived Experience Stories Project

The Lived Experience subcommittee of the CRIS Committee has launched the CRIS Lived Experience Stories Project – a project aimed to elevate stories and perspectives of people across Washington state who have accessed behavioral health crisis services for themselves or someone else. These shared stories will be brought into the work of the CRIS and integrate what has been learned into recommendations for improving the state behavioral health crisis system.

• View the project one-pager to help spread the word.
• Submit your story.
• A $25 gift card will be offered in appreciation for the first 200 stories received.
• Contact Kristine Malana or via phone at 213-633-7593.

Public comment

All CRIS Committee and Steering Committee meetings are public meetings. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to share input. All public comments, whether submitted during or outside of committee meetings, will be considered by CRIS Committee and Steering Committee members.

How do I make a public comment?

There is an opportunity at each CRIS and Steering Committee meeting to share comments, and members of the public who wish to do so can email Nicola Pinson, by noon one business day before the meeting. In addition, if you would like to submit a written comment, please email HCA Program 1477.

Reports and documentation

Legislative reports

January 1, 2022: First legislative progress report, including result of a comprehensive assessment of the current behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services system, and preliminary recommendations related to funding of crisis response services from the Statewide 988 Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention Line Account (Account).

• Initial Assessment of the Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention Services in Washington and Preliminary Funding Recommendations

January 1, 2023: Second legislative progress report

• Washington Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention System: HB 1477 Committee Progress Report and Funding Recommendations for the 988 Line Tax, including recommendations related to crisis call center hubs, and final recommendations related to funding crisis response services from the Account

January 1, 2024: Third legislative progress report, including recommendations in 13+ areas outlined by the legislation.

• Washington Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention System: HB 1477 Committee Progress Report and Funding Recommendations for the 988 Line Tax

Federal and State legislation

• Public Law 116-172 (988 Designation Act 2020)
• E2SHB 1477 Final Bill

HCA / DOH reports

HCA reports

• 988 system draft technical and operational plan to legislature
• 988 system final technical and operational plan to legislature

DOH documents

• Washington State 988 Implementation Plan
• Washington 988 State Volume and Cost Projections Report Vibrant Emotional Health
• DOH WA 988 Planning Grant project narrative
• Lifeline 988 State Planning Grant RFA
• Overview of Lifeline Network and Universal Platform
• Preparing for 988 Implementation
• Template 988 Implementation Plan
• User Guide 988 Implementation Plan
• Core Area Instructions — 988 Implementation Plan
• Coverage Area Schedule Worksheet for 988 Implementation Plan

DOH/Vibrant technical details

• 988 Implementation Coalition
• Technical details on Unified Platform
• Unified Platform benefits and implementation schedule
• Unified Platform public final press release

DOH presentations

• Vibrant Emotional Health/Lifeline CRM and CCS: key features and functional requirements (June 2021)

Resources

• 988 suicide and crisis lifeline | SAMHSA

Committee charters

Review the CRIS Committee charter and CRIS Steering Committee charter to learn more about their charge, roles and responsibilities, meeting guidelines, and more.