In the closing hours of the session, member organization Comprehensive Healthcare secured $800,000 in capital funding for a drop-in center in Yakima, a place where those challenged by homelessness, substance use disorders or living with medical and physical health complexities can access much-needed services, socialization, education and basic resources. Read Jodi Daly’s, PhD, CEO of …
State of Reform discussed Fourfront Contributor’s goals with three of its members—Jodi Daly (CEO of Comprehensive Healthcare), Katrina Egner (CEO of Sound), and Tom Sebastian (CEO of Compass Health) in this Q&A. State of Reform: What are Fourfront Contributor’s advocacy priorities for the 2024 legislative session? Tom Sebastian: “Since our inception, Fourfront Contributor has taken a two-pronged …
By Jodi Daly and Tom Sebastian Our community behavioral health organizations deliver life-saving mental health and substance abuse services to thousands of individuals and families across Washington state. However, we’re also facing financial and operational challenges keeping up with escalating demand for behavioral health services, especially as we confront the devastating realities of the fentanyl …
Washington certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) representatives believe the model can provide stability for a US mental health system that has faced numerous challenges over the past several decades. They discussed the benefits CCBHCs offer at the 2024 Washington State of Reform Health Policy Conference. Washington Council for Behavioral Health CEO Joan Miller said …
Comprehensive Healthcare was recently awarded a $4 million, four-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) services in Yakima County. Comprehensive Healthcare plans to use the grant to increase access to primary health care, expedite substance use disorder (SUD) services to clients and …
As an advocacy coalition, we’re always looking for opportunities to enhance awareness of our key policy initiatives and highlight the solutions they represent to advancing Washington’s community behavioral health system. State of Reform provides an exceptional platform for us to do just that – and this year’s Washington Health Policy Conference, held in Seattle in …
2024 Washington State of Reform Health Policy Conference Recap Read More »
December 21, 2023 In this article, Michelle Baruchman and the Seattle Times Mental Health Project team outline the difficulties behavioral health providers face to sustainably fund mental health services while keeping care accessible. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in the piece, which highlights how Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) will advance community behavioral …
Seattle Times: WA mental health providers say insurance reimbursement isn’t enough Read More »
In September, Fourfront Contributor participated in State of Reform’s Inland Northwest Health Policy Conference in Spokane, connecting with other healthcare leaders, lawmakers and policy experts to highlight the most pressing issues across the spectrum of behavioral health and medical services. Tom Sebastian, CEO of Compass Health and member of Fourfront Contributor, joined Jane Beyer, senior …
September 25, 2023 – Washington’s community behavioral health system continues to face unsustainable pressures. Systemic funding issues have resulted in record workforce shortages impacting access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment for low-income individuals and families and other vulnerable community members. Fortunately, this past legislative session, the Washington state legislature included a 15% …
Fourfront Contributor is deeply saddened to share news of the passing of Jeff Thomas, CEO of Frontier Behavioral Health, and a deeply respected colleague and member of our organization. A champion of behavioral health, Jeff dedicated his entire career to improving access to care across Washington state, especially in the Spokane region. In the more …
