Meeting Notes: Bridge Coalition Meeting on September 24th
Opening Comments (Sarah):
- Sarah Moderated this month’s meeting,
- Formal Introductions were done,
- Focusing on return to community: safe housing, relationships, and supporting young adults facing unaccompanied homelessness interests and passions.
The Bridge Scope and Vision (Vy):
- 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.
Washington Thriving: Overview and Purpose
The September Bridge Coalition meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Megan Beers from Health Management Associates (HMA). Megan, a child psychologist by training, has over 20 years of experience in improving systems of care for children, youth, young adults, and families. Her work spans across Washington and the nation, with a focus on developing and implementing behavioral health services. Prior to her role at HMA, she spent a decade working at community-based organizations in King County. Megan’s presentation centered on the Washington Thriving initiative, a statewide effort to create a comprehensive behavioral health strategic plan for children, youth, and young adults from prenatal through age 25.
Washington Thriving was established in 2023 in response to the increasing behavioral health crisis across the state. The initiative focuses on centering the lived and living experiences of children, youth, young adults, caregivers, and families. The goal is to develop a strategic behavioral health plan for Washingtonians, which will be shared with policymakers in August 2025.
Leadership and Key Stakeholders
The initiative is co-chaired by Representative Lisa Callan and Diana Cockrell, alongside the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group (CYBHWG) and the Washington Thriving Advisory Group (formerly the Strategic Plan Advisory Group). This dynamic platform brings together a broad range of stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience, policymakers, and service providers. The CYBHWG is an integral part of Washington Thriving, creating legislative recommendations through its five subgroups:
- Prenatal-File Relational Health
- School-Based Support and Suicide Prevention
- Youth and Young Adult Continuum of Care
- Workforce & Rates
- Behavioral Health Integration
These subgroups are instrumental in advancing behavioral health services across the state.
The Strategic Planning Process
The Washington Thriving initiative is structured around a four-phase strategic planning process:
- Visioning: Establishing a shared vision for the future of behavioral health in Washington.
- Assessing the Current Landscape: Understanding existing services, gaps, and challenges.
- Identifying Strategic Priorities: Determining key areas for focus and improvement.
- Moving to Action: Implementing changes and identifying both short- and long-term wins.
Throughout this process, key questions are addressed, such as: What is the ideal continuum of care? Does Washington have the right services and supports? What are the gaps, and how can they be filled? This strategic plan will prioritize the inclusion of community voices and ensure that the system evolves to meet the needs of the population.
Data-Informed and People-Centered Approach
Washington Thriving emphasizes a dual focus on data and community engagement. Activities include gathering success stories, holding regional listening events, and engaging with relevant agencies and subject matter experts. Additionally, input is continuously gathered through advisory groups, subcommittees, and workgroups to ensure the plan remains responsive to the needs of Washingtonians.
From a data perspective, the initiative conducts cross-functional discovery sprints to delve into complex areas of the system, gathering both quantitative and qualitative data. A review of relevant literature, including peer-reviewed publications and evidence-based practices, helps shape the strategic plan. A data dashboard is being designed to track progress and inform decisions moving forward.
Vision for the Future
The future vision of Washington Thriving is a behavioral health system where every Washingtonian understands how behavioral health affects well-being and recognizes when young people need support. The system will be seamless, accessible, and adaptable to changing needs. It will address mental health, substance use, developmental, and co-occurring challenges, offering services in all developmental stages, for all cultures and languages, across the state.
Importantly, the system will:
- Be informed by children, youth, caregivers, and families.
- Ensure that all doors lead to support.
- Meet the individual needs of children, youth, families, and caregivers.
- Be equitable, anti-racist, and culturally and linguistically responsive.
- Evolve with new information and invest in prevention and well-being.
Opportunities for Engagement
There are several ways to get involved with Washington Thriving:
- Level 1: Join the mailing list to stay informed. (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HXCKFYN)
- Level 2: Participate in discussion groups and engagement opportunities. (https://www.washingtonthriving.org/events)
- Level 3: Invite representatives from Washington Thriving to meetings or gatherings to foster collaboration and input.
In conclusion, the Washington Thriving initiative is poised to create meaningful change for young people and families across the state, ensuring that behavioral health services are responsive, equitable, and accessible.
Sarah Spier’s Update on the Return to Community Plan-
Sarah Spier, from NorthStar Advocates, provided an update on the ongoing development of the formal Return to Community Plan. This plan is being shaped in collaboration with individuals who have lived experience and builds upon the Return to Community Housing Survey, which NorthStar Advocates conducted over the summer. The survey involved four formal focus groups, and the results have consistently highlighted seven key elements necessary for a successful return to one’s community:
- Housing
- Ongoing Behavioral Health Support
- Peer Support
- Education and Financial Opportunities
- Food and Basic Necessities
- Life Enriching Opportunities
The Return to Community Plan is still being developed and is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. This formalized plan is rooted in the insights and ideas shared by young people from across Washington. It will serve as both a worksheet and a case management tool, tailored to the individual needs of each person using it as they transition back into their chosen community. Sarah emphasized that this tool will play a vital role in ensuring that returning individuals have the resources and support they need for a smooth, sustainable reintegration into their communities.
Community Updates:
- No community updates, Sarah thanked the NorthStar Advocates with lived experience for all their work and dedication and for having such fantastic feedback and questions during the Washington Thriving presentation.
Closing Comments:
- Sarah closed the meeting and thanked everyone for their support and participation in this work.
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