CommUnity Crisis Services set to lay off nearly 50 employees later this month

IOWA CITY — Nearly 50 people are set to be laid off from CommUnity Crisis Services in Iowa City later this month after federal funding was canceled for the LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention hotline, part of the national 988 suicide and crisis hotline.

CommUnity was one of seven centers across the country that fielded calls and texts from the LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention hotline, a pilot program launched by the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2022.

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The line allows someone who calls the 988 to choose the “Press 3” option that would connect them to a crisis counselor specifically trained to work with LGBTQ+ youth.

The federal government announced the specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth who call the 988 hotline will end July 17, the same day CommUnity lay offs will occur, according to a WARN notice filed with the state.

CommUnity still will be one of two centers in Iowa that answer calls and texts from the general 988 hot line.

“… Everyone and anyone should as encouraged to call 988 if they're experiencing emotional distress, crisis or suicidal ideation. Nothing about the core 988 service is changing,” said Sarah Nelson, CommUnity’s Chief Executive Officer.

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Nelson said this past fiscal year, CommUnity responded to more than 78,000 calls from LGBTQ+ youth hotline.

“One of our biggest concerns, is that there's been higher utilization and higher demand for that line. And so at a time when LGBTQ youth are feeling like their civil rights are being compromised and that they're under attack, losing a critical resource that's designed specifically for them is concerning. It's a life saving service, and lives will be lost when you cut services like this,” Nelson said.

CommUnity was able to direct 25 people who worked on the LGBTQ+ hotline to other crisis service positions within the organization.

None of CommUnity’s other services — including the food bank, healing prairie farm, youth crisis stabilization support, Guidelink Access Center and other financial support programs — will be impacted.

Additionally, CommUnity will continue to answer calls from the University of Iowa Support and Crisis line.

“This is part of a trend that we're seeing in services that are specific to the LGBTQ population, and LGBTQ youth in particular, being shut down and removed, which escalates our concern for their mental health and well-being. So it's important to us that they know that they can still text and call 988, and they'll be met with a compassionate and trained crisis counselor,” said Nelson of the federal cuts.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com

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