Crisis Systems Response Training and Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC)

Strengthening Behavioral Health Crisis Systems Nationwide

Through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded Crisis Systems Response Training and Technical Assistance Center (CSR-TTAC), Altarum and our partners provide comprehensive, no-cost training and technical assistance to states, territories, Tribes and Tribal organizations, and community partners working across the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the broader behavioral health crisis continuum.

The CSR-TTAC supports organizations in building crisis response systems that are integrated, sustainable, responsive, and grounded in evidence-based practices. Our work spans individualized technical assistance and national-level capacity-building efforts designed to strengthen crisis systems and improve outcomes for people and communities.

Comprehensive CSR-TTAC Offerings

The CSR-TTAC delivers a full continuum of training, technical assistance, and learning opportunities to meet varying needs across the entire crisis response system.

Customized 1:1 Technical Assistance

Our individualized technical assistance is tailored to the unique goals, context, and readiness of each requestor. CSR-TTAC team members work alongside partners to define desired outcomes, identify conditions for successful change, and apply appropriate methods to support implementation.

Customized one-on-one technical assistance may include:

• One-on-one consultation and subject-matter expertise
• Skills, knowledge, and capacity-building support
• Facilitation and structured implementation support
• Small-group or cohort-based technical assistance
• Customized tools, resources, and products

Webinars and Workshops

The CSR-TTAC offers publicly available webinars and workshops designed to share timely information, practical strategies, and emerging best practices across the behavioral health crisis continuum. These offerings are accessible to a broad audience and support learning across systems, disciplines, and roles.

Learning Collaboratives

Our learning collaboratives bring together peers from across jurisdictions and organizations to engage in shared learning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. Participants benefit from facilitated sessions, peer exchange, and practical resources focused on strengthening crisis system design, implementation, and sustainability.

Publications and Resources

The CSR-TTAC develops and disseminates written tools, publications, and digital resources to support policymakers, agency leaders, crisis system administrators, workforce members, and community partners. These resources translate evidence and best practices into actionable guidance that can be applied across different settings.

SAMHSA’s Crisis Systems Design Policy Academy

The Policy Academy is a structured, cohort-based learning and technical assistance opportunity designed to support jurisdictions in advancing policy and systems-level change that strengthens behavioral health crisis response. The Academy focuses on aligning policy, financing, governance, and operations to support effective, sustainable crisis systems across the continuum of care.

Through the Policy Academy, participants engage in a facilitated learning process that combines expert instruction, peer exchange, and applied technical assistance. Jurisdictions are supported in assessing their current policy and system landscape, identifying priority challenges, and developing actionable strategies that are responsive to local context while aligned with national best practices.

Key components of the CSR-TTAC Policy Academy may include:

• Structured learning sessions focused on crisis system policy, financing, governance, and implementation
• Expert facilitation and subject-matter guidance tailored to participant needs
• Peer learning and cross-jurisdictional exchange to share lessons learned and promising approaches
• Applied activities that support policy analysis, planning, and implementation
• Practical tools and resources to support decision-making and long-term system sustainability

The Policy Academy is designed to help participants move from policy intent to action, supporting the development of coordinated, responsive, and sustainable crisis response systems that improve care quality, outcomes, and access to resources for people experiencing behavioral health crises.

Tribal and Tribal Grantee Support

The CSR-TTAC provides dedicated support to Tribes and Tribal grantees, recognizing the unique contexts, strengths, and priorities of Tribal communities. Our approach emphasizes culturally aware and collaborative technical assistance that supports Tribal leadership and sovereignty while strengthening crisis response capacity.