April 13, 2023 It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic and its ripple effects caused an unprecedented workforce shortage. For community behavioral health, this shortage has reached crisis levels. In Washington, the vacancy rate for behavioral health professionals with advanced degrees was an astounding 29% in 2022, with a turnover rate of 32%—trending up from …
April 6, 2023 For Tom Sebastian, President and CEO of Compass Health, the number one issue facing Washington healthcare is the behavioral health workforce shortage. He noted that three-quarters of Washington’s providers are placing some form of limitations on care due to these shortages. During a recent “What They’re Watching” interview, he discussed what his …
What They’re Watching: Tom Sebastian, Compass Health Read More »
April 6, 2023 By Jeff Thomas, Jodi Daly and Tom Sebastian Over the past three years, we’ve all faced COVID-related challenges that have caused serious disruption to our daily life and wellbeing. And across our communities, the impact is becoming increasingly evident. More adults and children are suffering from anxiety, depression and other behavioral health …
April 4, 2023 By Tom Sebastian, Jeff Thomas and Jodi Daly Community behavioral health is key to the health and wellbeing in Washington state. In the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic, this couldn’t be more apparent. As a mental health crisis looms, we, as community behavioral health care providers, are on the front lines, working …
The Everett Herald: Community mental health services are in acute need Read More »
March 29, 2023 By Jodi Daly, Jeff Thomas and Tom Sebastian. In the past few years, Washington state has faced severe and far-reaching repercussions to our behavioral health system. As our communities grapple with the social and economic impacts of the pandemic, more and more people are accessing behavioral health services for anxiety, depression and …
March 8, 2023 Every year, State of Reform helps kick off Washington’s legislative session with its Washington Health Policy Conference – an opportunity for leaders across healthcare, including executives, providers, lawmakers and more, to engage in constructive discussion on the future of healthcare in our state. Fourfront Contributor was proud to serve as a sponsor …
Key Takeaways from the 2023 Washington State of Reform Conference Read More »
February 22, 2022 In February 2022, Seattle Times reporter Michelle Baruchman connected with leaders across WA to learn more about workforce issues. As leaders on the community behavioral healthcare front, Fourfront Contributor CEOs and staff shared their insights. We’ve copied an excerpt of the Seattle Times article below. “Washington’s mental health workers are leaving their …
February 9, 2022 The workforce shortage has persisted throughout the pandemic, and as a result, clients are facing greater obstacles to care. The crisis is dire – some centers have closed as a result of lacking staff, and those that remain opened have often had to shorten hours or require extra hours from remaining staff, …
September 9, 2021 The way community behavioral health is funded in Washington state has brought our system to a breaking point. Despite recent state investments, record workforce shortages persist – largely due to unsustainable funding models and an inability to provide competitive compensation to professionals. Without staff, providers cannot deliver care. Washington’s community behavioral health …
April 25, 2021 By Jeff Thomas, Jodi Daly and Tom Sebastian If there were any remaining doubts that mental health is fundamental to health itself, the pandemic has erased them. Over the past year, we’ve all felt the intrinsic connection between physical and mental wellness. Decades of research bears this out, and even the most …
