Federal cuts to LGBTQ+ youth hotline to hit Everett center
EVERETT — A call center in Everett is one of a handful that provides a national LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline that the Trump administration will eliminate funding for later this month.
In 2023, Volunteers of America Western Washington joined the LGBTQ+ Youth Subnetwork, which is part of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The program provides specialized crisis counseling to LGBTQ+ people under the age of 25, a group that is at a disproportionately high risk of suicide, said Levi Van Dyke, chief behavioral health officer at Volunteers of America Western Washington.
On June 18, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced it would be terminating funding for the program within 30 days. On July 17, call centers throughout the country will no longer be able to provide specialized services to LGBTQ+ youth.
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, met with Volunteers of America Western Washington leadership to discuss the consequences of the federal cuts.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/federal-cuts-to-lgbtq-youth-hotline-to-hit-everett-center/
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