Governor Laura Kelly has announced her administration is awarding nearly $2.4 million to 27 Kansas agencies to strengthen law enforcement, prevent crime and support crime victims.
Call center officials in both states say funding in the past two years has allowed them to increase staffing and improve in-state answer rates in preparation for the new national call line.
The new number routes calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Experts say diverting mental health-related calls will take pressure off of emergency room personnel, 911 operators and law enforcement officers.