Summary Dozens of layoffs are coming to a Howard County crisis intervention organization after the loss of a federal 988 contract. Dozens of layoffs are coming to a Howard County crisis intervention organization after the loss of a federal 988 contract. The Howard County organization said the layoffs take effect Sept. 29, following the discontinuation of a federal contract for 988 text and chat services. Grassroots Crisis Intervention says the contract’s end will have a ripple effect in the community. Grassroots also operates an 89-bed emergency homeless shelter, an outpatient mental health clinic and a mobile crisis team.