LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger Supports FCC’s Proposed 9-8-8 Georouting Plan

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena, has voiced her support for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposed changes to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, following an announcement by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel regarding the georouting plan for crisis calls.

In a statement, Supervisor Barger emphasized the importance of expanding the crisis response network, which aims to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of crisis response services by routing calls to localized crisis centers based on the caller’s geographic location.

“Expanding our crisis response network has been one of my top priorities for Los Angeles County,” Barger said. “9-8-8 has certainly been one of the critical tools that helps ensure we have a care first response to individuals experiencing mental health crises.”

Barger also highlighted her active role as Chair of the National Association of Counties Commission on Mental Health and Well-Being, where she championed support for 9-8-8 at both the White House and Capitol Hill.

“Local government leaders truly needed federal intervention to ensure those calling 9-8-8 are able to connect with a responsive crisis system that is anchored where they live,” she said.

Barger also expressed appreciation for the leadership of Congressman Cardenas, Senator Padilla, Secretary Becerra, and the FCC through Rosenworcel in advancing the evolution of 9-8-8.

Launched in July 2022, the 9-8-8 hotline connected any caller or texter in the United States with the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, manned by a network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Currently, calls to the 988 Lifeline are routed based on the caller’s area code and exchange, which can present obstacles for callers whose area code does not correspond to their location when in crisis. For instance, if a wireless caller with a California area code dials the 988 Lifeline, that call will be routed to a California crisis center, regardless of where the caller is located.

With the 9-8-8 georouting plan, calls made to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline would be routed to crisis centers based on the caller’s geographic location, similar to how 911 calls are currently routed.