Crisis Response
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a $900,000 two-year pilot project intended to improve Riverside County’s teen and young adult crisis response program available via a 211-call center.
In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board authorized the Riverside University Health System to utilize the state grant funding to contract with Inland Southern California 211+ for the “Youth Suicide Prevention Reporting & Crisis Response Pilot Program.”
“This program is intended to develop and test models for rapid reporting and comprehensive crisis response at the local level related to youth suicide and suicide attempts in those ages 25 and under,” according to a RUHS statement posted to the board’s agenda.
The funding will cover the period retroactive to July 1 and ending June 30, 2025.
“RUHS will (rely on) 211+ to increase capacity for responding to youth crisis calls through the local Helpline, provide suicide crisis response training to community organizations, and enhance data collection on the number of crisis helpline calls, suicide-related crisis calls, referrals to local crisis clinics, crisis mobile unit hand-offs and active rescues,” according to the agency.
The 211+ service, which is run by Inland SoCal United Way, provides a series of options to callers, who are routed to the appropriate operator after selecting one. Along with suicide crisis response, the call center also provides referrals to assist with food insecurity, utility assistance and transportation.
“The main beneficiaries of this pilot project will be residents, county organizations, schools and community organizations,” RUHS stated.
The grant was awarded by the California Department of Public Health.
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