RiverValley Behavioral Health expanding 988 services throughout Kentucky

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) - RiverValley Behavioral Health (RVBH) is building upon their 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network thanks to a $1.5 million grant.

The grant, which was provided by the Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health, will allow the non-profit organization to expand their 24/7 chat and text services across the Commonwealth.

According to a press release, RVBH will become the dedicated 988 Chat and Text responder for the entire state. Currently, RVBH answers regional 988 crisis line calls, texts and chats and operates its own individual crisis line.

“To be chosen from all the CMHC’s across the state and to know that they trusted our center to be able to fulfill this much-needed service for the Commonwealth, it was absolutely thrilling and exciting. We are honored,” said Michelle Nobles, Vice President of Outpatient and Crisis Services at RVBH.

Back in 2024, the state of Kentucky’s 988 hotline received around 15,000 chats and texts. Officials at RVBH were only able to respond to around 8% of those, depending on where he messages were coming from.

With this $1.5 million grant, they will now be able to respond to 100% of messages.

“We are very excited to be able to staff a facility that is going to be able to respond to all of those chat and texts, and be able to make sure that those contacts are being responded to locally,” said Nobles.

Officials say this will improve access to critical mental health and crisis support for individuals throughout the Commonwealth.

“This award will allow us to significantly enhance the support we provide to Kentuckians in crisis, offering a vital lifeline during moments of need,” says Dr. Wanda Figueroa, RVBH President & CEO.

Nobles said the grant will help create 15 new jobs at RiverValley, ensuring that every chat and text through 988 is answered by highly trained professionals equipped to support individuals in crisis.

“They are going to learn how to de-escalate a crisis. They are going to recognize signs. They are going to learn how to engage and communicate with somebody that is in crisis in order to help reduce that crisis and get them to a place where they can feel comfortable disconnecting that call. In this case, it is that text or chat conversation. We are super excited to be bringing those jobs here. We are going to be hiring almost immediately for those positions.”

This project is set to be fully operational, with chat and text services available across the state of Kentucky in July of 2025.

For more information about RiverValley Behavioral Health and their 988 services, click here.

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