Meeting Notes: Bridge Coalition Meeting on May 27th
Opening Comments (Jim):
- Jim opened the meeting with a powerful reminder of what is at stake, sharing that two young people—one of them a family member—had recently died of overdoses shortly after being discharged from inpatient treatment, underscoring the urgent need for safe, supportive transitions.
- Chat Introductions 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 (v):
- 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.
WA State & NorthStar Advocates Legislative Updates
Jim Theofelis, Executive Director & Founder of NorthStar Advocates, shared that the 2025 legislative session was one of the most difficult in recent memory, driven by a projected $16 billion deficit. The final budget was described as “fairly balanced,” meaning lawmakers closed the gap through approximately $7.5 billion in cuts and $7.5 billion in new revenue—primarily through tax increases. The Governor signed all the revenue packages and maintained key investments, despite issuing about $25 million in line-item vetoes.
In this context, the Bridge Coalition was refunded at $250,000 for two more years. While this amount is a small fraction of the $78 billion state budget, Jim emphasized that its inclusion sends a strong signal of legislative support for the coalition’s vision. The request for two new Bridge Housing sites was not funded, but both existing 90-day Bridge Housing programs—located in Eastern and Western Washington—were written into the Health Care Authority’s maintenance-level budget as ongoing, making the funding as secure as possible.
Jim also highlighted two Homeless Prevention and Diversion Fund (HPDF) programs that NorthStar Advocates supported through the Office of Homeless Youth. While the original proposal was for $5 million, $4 million was ultimately funded—a result still seen as a major win. He described the HPDF as a potentially transformational approach: instead of placing youth in shelters, the program does something “radical”—it asks young people directly where they can live. In 90% of one-time funding cases, youth remained in that environment a full year later.
Finally, Jim noted the passage of a bill impacting the Family Reconciliation Services (FRS) program. Traditionally run through DCYF, FRS will now shift toward a community-based model, with Cocoon House in Everett playing a lead role in its local implementation.
Official SHB 1929 Bridge Housing West Side Provider Announced
Following Jim’s legislative update, Sierra, a Lived Experience Expert with NorthStar Advocates, introduced Friends of Youth as the official provider of the West Side SHB 1929 Bridge Housing site. She welcomed them into the Bridge Coalition and emphasized the importance of this expansion in supporting young people exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment.
Moe Nyang, Senior Director of Homeless Youth Services at Friends of Youth, thanked the NorthStar Advocates team for their advocacy and for creating the vision behind this project. She noted that the program’s ongoing funding status is a testament to its long-term importance. Moe reflected on a past experience when a young person was dropped off at their youth center after inpatient care without support—emphasizing how this new opportunity allows them to build a program that directly addresses that systemic gap. While they are still in the design phase, Moe expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with all partners involved.
Rachel Bergman, Senior Manager for Grants at Friends of Youth and a key contributor to the program’s development, echoed Moe’s appreciation and affirmed their excitement to partner with the Health Care Authority, the East Side providers, and NorthStar Advocates. She shared that Friends of Youth is currently finalizing their contract with HCA and looks forward to officially launching the work in the months ahead.
Excelsior Shares Update on East Side SHB 1929 Bridge Housing Program
Lauren Zunker, VP of Operations, from Excelsior provided updates on the East Side SHB 1929 Bridge Housing program, beginning by expressing how meaningful it was to witness the official announcement of Friends of Youth as the West Side provider. She shared that Excelsior recently met with Sarah Spier of NorthStar Advocates to strengthen program alignment and reinforce a shared commitment to centering young people’s input in program design. A more streamlined approach for youth engagement and co-design is currently being developed.
Lauren also shared that Excelsior is reviewing its current internal training offerings and is working to expand staff development in areas such as trauma-informed care and housing-focused supports. They are in the process of hiring for key roles, with a strong emphasis on lived experience and housing expertise. Facility updates are also underway, with a focus on creating a warm, welcoming environment for young people transitioning out of inpatient care.
Lived Experience Panel Highlights the Urgency and Impact of Bridge Housing
The meeting continued with an informal Lived Experience Panel Discussion hosted by young adult Lived Experts from the NorthStar Advocates Bridge Steering Committee. The panel provided a powerful, firsthand perspective on the real-world gaps young people face after exiting inpatient behavioral health programs—and the difference Bridge Housing could make.
Panelists reflected on their two years of involvement with NorthStar and expressed how meaningful it has been to see programs like this actually being developed—especially within such a short timeframe. Several young people shared that, based on their own experiences exiting treatment, if a Bridge Housing program had existed at the time, they likely would not have experienced homelessness or the instability that followed. They described the difficulty of being discharged from structured treatment settings into environments with no housing, no income, and no connections to support—emphasizing how frightening and isolating that time was.
Panelists agreed that having a safe and stable place to land after treatment would have made a significant difference in their lives. Their stories reinforced the importance of creating intentional, youth-centered programs that prioritize dignity, stability, and real opportunity during transitions.
InReach Prevention Program Presentation: Upstream Solutions in Spokane County
Henry Walker, InReach Supervisor, from Volunteers of America Eastern Washington presented on InReach, a mobile case management program supporting unaccompanied youth ages 12–24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Spokane County. His presentation emphasized the program’s flexibility, upstream focus, and role in bridging gaps between systems of care.
Key Highlights:
- Target population: Youth ages 12–24 who are unaccompanied and experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Upstream focus: Engages youth before discharge from inpatient behavioral health, juvenile justice, or foster care systems.
- Core services include:
- Housing navigation and stabilization
- Employment readiness (resumes, applications, coaching)
- Education connections (GED, college, trade programs)
- Family reunification and relational support
- Mental health counseling (licensed and peer-led)
- Diversion funding through HPDF and YDIP
- Behavioral health partnerships with local inpatient providers like Excelsior, INBH, and Pioneer Center East.
- Systems of Care Grant (OHY) funding supports the goal of reducing exits from care into homelessness.
- Mobile, client-led model: Case managers meet youth in the community and support individualized goals.
- Flexibility emphasized: Services are limited only by available funding—case managers are equipped to help with move-in costs, job readiness, documentation, and more.
- Program growth: Henry shared that InReach began with just two case managers and has expanded in response to demand, highlighting its value as a critical connector between systems of care and young people.
Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA): Statewide Policy and Recovery Advocacy
Tristan Seykel, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, presented on the mission, work, and 2025 legislative priorities of the Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA)—a statewide coalition advocating for behavioral health recovery through policy, education, and community building.
Key Highlights:
Mission: Create a statewide community that celebrates and advocates for recovery.
Six pillars of recovery support:
- Peer support and coaching
- Recovery housing
- Employment and education
- Community and connection (e.g., Recovery Cafés)
- Family support
- Technological tools
Core principles of recovery:
- Self-defined and self-directed
- Multiple pathways are valid
- Holistic and accessible to all
2025 Legislative Priorities:
- Capital investments to expand quality recovery housing
- Implementation of HB 1427 to expand peer support access
- Sustained funding for behavioral health and harm reduction services
WRA’s advocacy tools:
- Recovery Advocacy Day (RAD) in Olympia
- Testifying on legislation, engaging media, and leading training efforts
- Participation in key task forces and stakeholder groups
Coalition model: Tristan emphasized that WRA is coalition-based, with both state and local partners working together to build advocacy power across communities.
Lived experience leadership: Tristan shared that their own recovery journey led them to this work and encouraged Bridge Coalition members to connect with local coalitions and stay engaged in shaping policy.
Upcoming WRA Events & Opportunities:
- Recovery City Film Screening
May 31 | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Black Box Theater, Edmonds College
Join WRA for a free community screening of Recovery City, an award-winning documentary. The event includes a Q&A session, refreshments, and a chance to win Mariners or Spring Into Recovery tickets. - Elevate Recovery Advocacy Training
June 17 | 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM (Zoom)
This free virtual training will equip participants with the tools to navigate the legislative process, engage with lawmakers, and use media to advance behavioral health recovery. The session includes interactive activities to foster dialogue and peer learning.
Register at: tinyurl.com/ElevateJune2025 - WRA Advocacy & Public Policy Monthly Check-Ins
4th Tuesday of each month | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
These monthly meetings aim to educate and empower the Washington recovery community to shape behavioral health policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Open to anyone interested in advocacy and systems change.
Community Updates:
- No updates.
Closing Comments:
- Jim closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their support and active participation in this work.
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