Lei Portugal Calloway Selected for California's 988 Crisis Advisory Group

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As part of AB 988: The Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act, 988 has been designated as the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. CalHHS established the 988-Crisis Policy Advisory Group (PAG) to support this initiative and develop recommendations for Governor Newsom on a five-year crisis response plan.

Lei Portugal Calloway, Telecare’s Peer Team Lead of AOT/CARE, was selected to participate in this crucial 12-month project. The work involved both in-person meetings in Sacramento and virtual participation across six essential workgroups:

  1. Comprehensive Assessment

  2. Statewide Standards and Guidance

  3. Integration

  4. Data and Metrics

  5. Communications

  6. Funding and Sustainability

Lei’s commitment to peer support led her to advocate for and participate in a seventh Ad Hoc Peer Support Workgroup, where she contributed valuable recommendations, including:

  • Increasing awareness of peer support in behavioral health crisis services

  • Expanding definitions to include peer-provided, peer-operated, and family peer support

  • Enhancing training and supervision resources for peer supporters

The project brought together key stakeholders, including Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (author of AB 988), the California Department of Health Care Services, NAMI California, CBHDA, and the Steinberg Institute.

The five-year implementation plan will be presented to Governor Newsom in December, followed by budget processes through June 2024. Approved proposals will receive funding at the start of the new state fiscal year on July 1.