Bridge Coalition Meeting October 27th
Opening Comments (Jim):
- Introductions via chat were done
- A broad overview of NorthStar Advocates Mission and purpose was discussed,
- Focusing on return to community: safe housing, relationships, and supporting young adults facing unaccompanied homelessness interests and passions.
The Bridge Scope and Vision (Mayauna):
- High rate of return to homelessness for young people exiting inpatient care,
- Cross-system information sharing and training,
- Developing Return To Community Plan,
- Developing opportunities for systems reform.
- Introduced the Youth & Young Adult Behavioral Health Summit that NorthStar Advocates hosted with the Y4Y Board
Building the Framework: From Legislation to Bridge Housing
Jim Theofelis | Founder and Executive Director, NorthStar Advocates
Jim Theofelis opened the meeting by outlining the years of research, advocacy, and legislative action that led to the creation of Washington’s Bridge Housing Program.
2018 — Senate Bill 6560: Washington established a statewide goal to prevent young people from being discharged into homelessness after exiting publicly funded systems of care, including foster care, juvenile justice, and behavioral health treatment. While the legislation established an important policy framework, dedicated resources were still needed to achieve that goal.
A Way Home Washington and RDA Research: During his tenure as Executive Director of A Way Home Washington, Jim spearheaded a research report in partnership with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Research and Data Analysis Division (RDA). The findings revealed that nearly two-thirds of all young people exiting systems of care into homelessness were coming directly from inpatient behavioral health treatment.
As Jim shared during the meeting, these findings both made him mad and broke his heart. Young people were completing treatment and making progress toward recovery, only to be discharged into homelessness without the housing and community supports needed to sustain that progress.
The research highlighted a critical gap in Washington’s systems of care and helped drive the advocacy for a dedicated post-inpatient housing response.
2022 — House Bill 1905: Continued advocacy led to legislation providing funding and some resources to help prevent homelessness among young people exiting systems of care. Although HB 1905 advanced the state’s commitment, a dedicated post-inpatient housing resource remained necessary.
2024 — Substitute House Bill 1929: Building on this work, SHB 1929 established Washington’s Post-Inpatient Housing Program for Young Adults. The program provides eligible young adults ages 18–24 with up to 90 days of voluntary, supportive housing following inpatient behavioral health treatment, along with individualized services, behavioral health support, flexible funding, and assistance transitioning to longer-term housing.
Jim emphasized that this progress was made possible through sustained collaboration among young people with lived experience, advocates, legislators, state agencies, and community partners.
Bridge Housing in Action: Provider Updates and Early Outcomes
Excelsior Wellness | Eastern Washington
Excelsior Wellness presented early outcomes and lessons learned from its Bridge Housing Program, which uses four interconnected stages to support young adults during their 90-day stay: Stabilize, Connect, Practice, and Plan.
The model provides a consistent place for safety and basic needs, supports clinical and community connections, builds independent living skills, and helps young adults prepare for their next housing destination.
Early program outcomes:
- 14 young people admitted.
- 12 (85.7%) admitted directly from inpatient treatment, including seven from substance use disorder treatment and five from mental health treatment.
- 66.7% (8 of 12 recorded exits) transitioned to stable housing.
- 4 young people gained employment.
- 4 maintained sobriety.
- 2 started school.
Excelsior highlighted the importance of flexible funding to remove immediate barriers to care, connection, and housing. Examples included assistance with housing-related costs, transportation, food, and other individualized needs.
The presentation also identified opportunities to strengthen early referrals, coordinated inpatient handoffs, housing and benefits planning, partner outreach, and longer-term follow-up.
Excelsior emphasized that progress extends beyond housing placement to include maintaining treatment and recovery connections, developing everyday living skills, strengthening natural supports, and pursuing individual goals.
Friends of Youth | Bridge Pointe, Western Washington
Friends of Youth presented updates from Bridge Pointe, which operates two homes in Kirkland, Washington, offering private bedrooms, shared living spaces, and wraparound behavioral health and housing services.
Supports include behavioral health therapy, substance use disorder counseling, peer support, housing navigation, case management, transportation, group services, and individualized Return to Community Plans.
Bridge Pointe reported serving young adults from 10 Washington counties, with more than 65% of participants experiencing co-occurring disorders.
Early program outcomes:
- 25% gained employment.
- 76% maintained sobriety throughout the program.
- 96% adhered to medication plans.
- More than 69% transitioned to permanent housing or structured supportive programs.
Housing exit destinations:
- 31% — Permanent or supportive placements: Including rentals, permanent family placements, long-term care facilities, and permanent housing for people formerly experiencing homelessness.
- 38% — Programmatic supportive transitions: Including transitional living programs and Oxford Houses.
- 23% — Temporary placements: Living with family or friends.
- 8% — Emergency shelter.
Friends of Youth emphasized the importance of individualized support, relationship-building, and creating opportunities for young adults to strengthen recovery while preparing for stable housing.
The Impact of Bridge Housing: A Young Adult’s Perspective
Joy | Former Bridge Pointe Participant
Joy shared a firsthand perspective on the importance of having safe, supportive housing following inpatient treatment.
At the time of the meeting, Joy celebrated nearly 6 months of sobriety and described how Bridge Housing helped provide the stability, encouragement, and resources needed to continue recovery.
Since participating in the program, Joy had transitioned into two different sober housing programs, gained employment, and received acceptance to two colleges. Joy also shared a desire to eventually work in behavioral health and support others navigating recovery.
Their experience reinforced the importance of providing young adults with time, supportive relationships, and individualized resources to build a foundation for long-term stability.
Statewide Implementation and Continued Commitment
Pedro Garcia | Washington State Health Care Authority
Pedro Garcia provided an update on HCA’s implementation of the Post-Inpatient Housing Program for Young Adults and its continued partnership with Bridge Housing providers and community stakeholders.
At the time of the meeting, HCA reported that 47 young people had been served statewide.
Pedro emphasized the importance of strengthening awareness of the program, improving referral coordination with inpatient behavioral health facilities, and developing partnerships that support successful transitions into community housing. HCA reaffirmed its commitment to continued implementation, collaboration, and improvement of the Bridge Housing model.
Legislative Leadership
Senator Claire Wilson | Washington State Senate
Senator Claire Wilson concluded the meeting by recognizing the importance of Bridge Housing and the contributions of young people, providers, advocates, and state partners.
She emphasized the need to strengthen coordination across systems of care, expand access to safe and supportive housing, and continue centering young people with lived experience in policy development.
Senator Wilson also acknowledged the challenges associated with state budget priorities while reinforcing the importance of continued legislative advocacy and investment in youth and young adult homelessness prevention.
Community Updates:
- No updates
Closing Comments:
- A reminder that the next meeting will be on November 24th
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