A coalition of healthcare organizations, local governments, and community partners has pledged more than $450,000 to support the development and implementation of Washoe County’s Crisis Response System (CRS), marking a significant investment in behavioral health crisis care for the region. The most recent commitment, from the MolinaCares Accord, in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Nevada, brings the number of large-scale donors to 10, marking a significant milestone in the fundraising efforts and provides year two funding for this important work.
The funding, coordinated through the Regional Behavioral Health Initiatives Fund at the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada (CFNN), represents a multi-year commitment from diverse stakeholders working to implement a best-practice crisis response model aligned with national guidelines from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
SilverSummit Healthplan pledged the first amount with $120,000 committed over three years, beginning in 2024. They contributed $80,000 in the first year to support crisis system infrastructure and coordination.
Molina Healthcare of Nevada announced a five-year funding pledge totaling $125,000 in 2025. Funds are committed from 2026 through 2030, representing the longest-term pledge to the initiative.
Northern Nevada Public Health has invested in crisis response work since 2021 through their Community Health Improvement Plan process. Their third pledge of $100,000 over four years was made in 2024, providing $40,000 in the first year.
Renown Health awarded a Partnership for Progress grant of $60,000 over three years in 2025.
Washoe County contributed $40,000 across two years (2024 and 2025), building on prior funding provided through State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
The Cities of Reno and Sparks each pledged $20,000 in 2024 to support regional crisis response coordination.
Anthem Blue Cross provided two contributions of $20,000 each in 2024 and 2025, totaling $40,000 in support.
United Healthcare pledged $20,000 in 2024 to advance crisis system development.
CSP Foundation donated $6,200 to the Crisis Response System in 2025.
“This collaborative funding model demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing one of our community’s most pressing needs,” said Bojana Vujeva, Human Services Program Specialist with Washoe County. “The diverse group of funders reflects the understanding that improving our crisis response system benefits everyone in our region.”
The Regional Behavioral Health Initiatives Fund made its first grant to Washoe County in December 2024 for activities in calendar year 2025. A second grant of $162,766 was awarded on December 12, 2025, covering initiative expenses including a full-time coordination position through 2026.
SUPPORTING A COMPREHENSIVE CRISIS SYSTEM
The funding supports the coordination and development of three core crisis services outlined in SAMHSA’s National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care:
- Someone to Contact – The 988 Lifeline and crisis call services operated by Crisis Support Services of Nevada
- Someone to Respond – Various mobile crisis teams and co-responder programs across the region
- A Safe Place for Help – Emergency and crisis stabilization services, including the Renown Crisis Care Center (RCCC)
ONGOING SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
The funding supports a Washoe County Human Services Program Specialist (HSPS) position that serves as the essential connective tissue for the region’s crisis response system. This role brings together diverse partners across law enforcement, healthcare, behavioral health providers, schools, and community organizations, facilitating the collaboration necessary to transform fragmented services into a coordinated system of care.
The Washoe CRS initiative is guided by two regional coalitions: the Partner Agency Team and the Children’s Crisis Collaboration, which meet monthly to coordinate services and advance strategic priorities. Recent accomplishments include:
- Completion of comprehensive service mapping documents for all three crisis system components
- Development of Crisis Navigation materials for regional agencies to build a no wrong door approach for individuals in crisis
- Formalization of agreements with community partners to support continuity of care
- Progress on 988/911 interoperability with formal procedures and memoranda of understanding under way
Looking ahead, the initiative will focus on supporting successful RCCC operations, advancing 988/911 integration, developing a public-facing data dashboard, and continuing construction of the Washoe Children’s Behavioral Health Center, which will provide crisis stabilization services for children and adolescents with an anticipated opening in 2027.
ABOUT THE WASHOE CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM
The Washoe CRS initiative focuses on implementing a best-practice crisis response model to ensure appropriate and timely care for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Developed through regional collaboration since 2021 and aligned with federal and state initiatives, the system operates under the purpose statement: “People experiencing suicidality or a behavioral health crisis in the Washoe region receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.”
For more information about the Washoe Crisis Response System or the Regional Behavioral Health Initiatives Fund, please contact:
Bojana Vujeva Human Services Program Specialist Washoe County Office of the County Manager bvujeva@washoecounty.gov 775.328.2076
