Howard County, Maryland — More than 60 employees at a Maryland crisis center are facing layoffs after the organization lost a federal contract that supports the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network. Grassroots Crisis Intervention confirmed Monday that it plans to eliminate 62 positions when its federal funding agreement expires later this year.
The nonprofit says it is working to understand the broader financial impact while assuring residents that its core crisis services will continue.
62 Employees Set to Lose Their Jobs
Grassroots Crisis Intervention said the 62 positions will be eliminated after September 29, 2026, when its federal 988 National Backup Text and Chat contract comes to an end.
The organization told local media that the loss of the contract will require changes to its staffing and operations. However, Grassroots emphasized that the layoffs are not expected to shut down its other programs.
The nonprofit currently has 130 professionals staffing its other services, including crisis intervention, mental health support, substance use services and homelessness programs.
“We are working to determine how this will affect our overall budget and operations,” a Grassroots spokesperson said, while stressing that the organization’s other free, 24-hour services are expected to continue.
988 Services Will Continue
Despite the loss of federal funding, Grassroots said it will continue responding to calls, chats and text messages through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for consumers in Central Maryland.
The organization has become an important part of the region’s behavioral health infrastructure, providing assistance to people experiencing mental health emergencies, substance use crises and other difficult situations.
Grassroots also provides services connected to suicide prevention and crisis intervention, making its continued 988 operations particularly significant for residents who depend on immediate access to support.
Grassroots Provides More Than Crisis Hotline Support
The Howard County organization operates several programs beyond its 988 services.
Grassroots provides free, 24-hour crisis intervention, mental health assistance and substance use disorder services. Its programs also include housing support and suicide prevention.
The nonprofit operates a 24-hour substance use disorder stabilization program, as well as a family and individual emergency shelter.
It also provides Howard County’s Mobile Crisis Response, allowing crisis professionals to respond directly to people experiencing behavioral health emergencies.
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The organization serves Maryland residents through its hotline operations while also supporting 988 calls, chats and texts on a broader national basis.
Funding Loss Raises Local Concerns
Grassroots is supported through a combination of Howard County government funding, state and federal grants, private foundations, individual donations, community groups, faith organizations and local businesses.
The end of the federal contract therefore represents a significant change for an organization that relies on multiple funding sources to maintain its services.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball called Grassroots a critical part of the county’s behavioral health safety net.
He said federal funding decisions can have consequences that extend beyond the employees whose jobs are affected.
County Officials Warn of Community Impact
Ball said the organization provides lifesaving crisis services to people when they are at their most vulnerable.
He argued that when federal decisions reduce resources available to organizations such as Grassroots, the effects are ultimately felt within local communities.
The county executive specifically pointed to both the workers who lose their jobs and the people who depend on 988 and other crisis services during emergencies.
For now, Grassroots says its other core programs will continue operating, while the organization evaluates how the funding change will affect its overall budget and operations.
The layoffs are expected to take effect as the federal contract reaches its September 29 expiration date.
What do you think about the impact of federal funding changes on local crisis services? Should organizations providing 988 support receive additional funding to protect these jobs and services? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
