Hunter
09/26/23
A local non-profit plans to lay off about 100 employees after losing a national contract.
The Gazette reports CommUnity will no longer be providing backup chat and text support for the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, causing the layoffs.
CEO Sarah Nelson said that many of the layoffs affect employees who live out of state. She added that the Crisis Services and Food Bank still will answer chat and text messages to the 988 Lifeline from Iowans, and serve as a backup for Iowa phone calls made to the hotline.
CommUnity was contracted in 2022 to serve as a backup provider for the national lifeline after the number was shortened to three digits. They increased their workforce from 88 employees to 272 full and part time employees, many of them working remotely from ten states. Vibrant Emotional Health, who administers 988, notified CommUnity earlier this month that their contract would not be renewed.
If the decision is not reversed, the layoffs will take effect Friday.
CommUnity’s other services, including the food bank and Mobile Crisis Response Program, will be business as usual.