9-8-8
On July 16th, 2022, states became required by federal law to adopt the 9-8-8 dialing code. 9-8-8 was selected as an easy-to-remember three-digit number that callers from around the United States can use for suicide prevention and other mental health assistance. Implementation of 9-8-8 is spearheaded by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), which is also in charge of behavioral health services across the state. July 16th was a soft launch; AHCCCS, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), began a statewide marketing campaign to advertise 9-8-8 in early 2023. The 9-1-1 community has had several questions on how this will work, and we in Arizona have formed a task force to produce some training and workflow documents to assist that are contained on this page.
Please note: The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), and the State 9-1-1 Office still recommend programming PSAP and SSAP phone systems to transfer 9-8-8 type calls to the Hope Line instead of directly to 9-8-8. This improves call routing within the state and gets the call to a live person instead of an automated system with options to press. The HOPE Line number is 1-844-534-HOPE (4673). 9-8-8 is a more manageable number to remember for citizens, but the Hope Line is a better option. Citizens can also call the Hope Line, listed above, or text 4HOPE (44673).
If you would like editable versions of these documents for your agency, please contact Jerel Frazier.
Additional questions regarding 9-8-8 may be directed to Matthew Moody with Solari at (602) 633-0766.