Scaling 9-1-1/9-8-8 Interoperability: Early Lessons and Ohio’s Approach

Cal Jenkins, MS, is the Assistant Director of Research and Evaluation at Clear Pathways. In this role, she leads efforts to enhance interoperability between 911 and 988 systems. Her responsibilities include conducting a 911 call system assessment, developing an interoperability strategy, and most recently directing the Crisis Response Pilot to test this strategy in Ohio communities. Additionally, Cal has consulted on various Ohio-based projects in the behavioral health field. Before her work in Ohio, she served as an assistant and coordinator at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, where she provided technical assistance for emergency room and jail diversion programs. Cal holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Science (MS) in Criminology from The University of Texas at Dallas, graduating magna cum laude. During her studies, she served as president of the Black Student Alliance and the Criminal Justice Honor Society.

Doug Jackson has been dedicated to Ohio social services systems for the past 25 years. His experience includes serving people with disabilities and individuals with mental health needs, as well as working closely with families, advocates, professionals, and lawmakers. Doug’s focus continues to be forward-looking to improve the support system and the support staff. His experience also includes managing the services of a direct support agency, executive administration in local and state agencies, teaching human services classes at Wright State University, and guiding a state-operated developmental center as the Superintendent. Doug helped grow Ohio’s ABLE program, a financial plan for people with disabilities, to be the most-used program in America. Most recently, Doug has joined the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services to administer Ohio’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and help lead Ohio’s mental health crisis services focusing on the continuum of care for people with behavioral health needs to have someone to call, someone to respond, a place to go, and the ability to thrive.