Crisis centers can now apply to be considered for designation as 988 contact hubs.
988 Contact Hub Designation Application
How to Apply
- Download and complete the application below.
- Send any questions you have about the application or the application process to 988programinfo@doh.wa.gov.
- Submit your completed application and all required attachments by July 31, 2025.
- Email your completed application to 988programinfo@doh.wa.gov.
The Department of Health (DOH) will review completed applications between August 1 and October 31, 2025. Check your email for communications from DOH during this time. DOH may request additional information during the review process by emailing you at the address on your application.
RCW 71.24.890 requires DOH to designate 988 contact hubs by January 1, 2026. You will receive a notification of the decision by the end of 2025 at the email address you provided in your application. DOH will notify all applicants.
Apply for 988 Contact Hub Designation
Minimum Standards for Hub Designation
In order to apply to be considered for designation, crisis centers must meet all minimum federal requirements and all state-level minimum standards.
The 17 state-level minimum standards:
- Obtaining and maintaining an active agreement with the 988 national administrator
- Participating in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network
- Adopting and using the tech platform approved by DOH and maintaining necessary infrastructure
- Providing interpretation services in help-seekers’ preferred languages
- Providing accessible services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Employing enough staff to respond to 90% of initial incoming contacts within 30 seconds without placing them on hold
- Providing staff with initial and ongoing trauma-informed training
- Providing Washington help-seekers with crisis counseling, intervention services, triage, care coordination, referrals, and connections to resources 24/7/365
- Providing help-seekers with referrals to developmentally and needs-appropriate services in their geographic region
- Coordinating with certified peer counselors to respond to follow-up calls
- Maintaining resources to provide follow-up communications to help-seekers
- Providing services to help-seekers regardless of their ability or willingness to disclose information requested by crisis center staff and regardless of whether the help-seeker is communicating through a third party
- Collecting and maintaining current information on local resources that could be used as alternate interventions to 911 and ensuring staff know how to access such services
- Adopting and implementing policies and procedures for connecting self-identified Tribal members to appropriate tribal services when they wish to use them, following the Tribe’s established Tribal crisis coordination protocols, and coordinating responses with Tribes
- Ensuring 988 messaging is consistent with messaging from the Health Care Authority, DOH, Vibrant, SAMHSA, and the Veterans Crisis Line networks
- Complying with all reporting requirements established by DOH
- Entering into and complying with a contract and data sharing agreement with DOH
Background
RCW 71.24.890 gave DOH legal authority to create rules to designate 988 contact hubs.
The Standards for Designation of 988 Contact Hub rule took effect January 1, 2025. This rule establishes minimum standards and a process for DOH to designate crisis centers as 988 contact hubs.
Crisis centers that want to apply for hub designation must meet the standards outlined in the rule for DOH to consider their application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do I have to apply?
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The application period runs from May 15, 2025 to July 31, 2025. You must submit your completed application by July 31, 2025. Email your completed application to 988programinfo@doh.wa.gov.
DOH will review applications between August 1 and October 31, 2025. During this time, DOH may reach out to the email you provided in your application for more information.
- After submitting my application, when will I get a decision?
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DOH will send a notification to all applicants by the end of the year.
- What if I have questions about the application process?
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The recorded information session above will answer many questions about the application process. If you watch it and still have questions, please email 988programinfo@doh.wa.gov.
- How long does hub designation last?
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Hub designations remain valid for 5 years. Crisis centers can apply to have their designation renewed at the end of this period.
- Will BH-ASOs be able to recommend 988 contact hubs?
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Yes. DOH must seek recommendations from Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations (BH-ASOs) to determine which 988 contact hubs will best meet the needs of a particular region.
BH-ASOs have to comply with the recommendation process developed by DOH when recommending a crisis center for designation as a 988 contact hub.
- How many contact hubs will DOH designate?
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Per SB 6251, DOH may not designate more than 4 contact hubs without legislative approval.
- Do existing 988 Lifeline crisis centers automatically become designated 988 contact hubs?
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Existing 988 Lifeline crisis centers must apply to be considered for hub designation. They will not automatically become 988 contact hubs.
- If my crisis center is designated as a 988 contact hub, when will we start answering 988 calls, texts, and chats?
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Once hubs are designated, an implementation period will begin in 2026. DOH will determine the timeline for implementation after hub designation. This timeline will depend on which crisis centers are designated.
For example, if a crisis center not already part of the 988 Lifeline Network is designated as a 988 contact hub, they will need to become accredited if they aren’t already. They will also need to onboard with Vibrant Emotional Health, the national 988 administrator. The onboarding process can take up to a year.
Hubs will also need funding to ramp up staffing and infrastructure so they can meet a 90% in-state answer rate and other requirements. DOH will work with the hubs to determine their budget needs and request funding from the Legislature.