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BHT received an Integrated Managed Care (IMC) Incentive through Washington’s Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver to create and develop projects and activities to improve our healthcare system. In 2021, our Board allocated Integrated Managed Care Incentive funds to support behavioral health (BH) workforce initiatives. This included support for organizations with substance use disorders (SUD) and master’s level BH staff to provide supervision to ensure staff can gain critical licensure. In 2022, the Behavioral Health Forum used participatory budgeting to allocate $150,000 to continue funding behavioral health supervision.

The BHT Behavioral Health Forum is a group of behavioral health provider organizations and educational institutions that has met regularly since 2021 to collaborate on solutions to behavioral health workforce challenges. In 2022, the group became a self-governing body and began using participatory decision-making practices to allocate $1.2M to initiatives that support the behavioral health workforce. As of November 2024, all funds have been allocated and we are celebrating the group’s successes by highlighting the impact the group has had in our region!

Overall Impact

$1,206,906 allocated to regional behavioral health workforce initiatives using participatory budgeting

33 BHT Behavioral Health Forum member organizations

20-30 attendees at bi-monthly meetings

Workforce Recruitment and Retention

• $130,000 distributed to 13 organizations to support behavioral health internship programming.

• 30 supervision support contracts awarded in two rounds to 22 organizations that provide clinical behavioral health services.

• Over 4500 hours of supervision provided to 174 mental health and substance use disorder professional staff…and counting! Contract work is still underway and final numbers are not yet available.

Training

• 46 people trained in Motivational Interviewing by the Institute for Individual and Organizational Change.

• Trained individuals on Intergenerational Colonial Trauma: Long-Term Impacts on Native American Communities by Indigenous woman-led consultancy Swan Innovations.

• Certified Peer Counselor and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Peer training offered by partner organizations Passages.

Education

• $287,864 allocated to scholarships for students in the first-ever Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Behavioral Health cohort.

• 28 licensed clinicians provided funding to complete the substance use disorder professional alternative certification coursework at the Community Colleges of Spokane.

This is only a snapshot of the impactful work that the Behavioral Health Forum was able to complete in three years. If you are interested in learning more about the work, click here. Stay tuned for updates. Contract work is still underway and final numbers will be available soon!

In 2023, BHT had the honor of awarding $3.6 million to nine organizations across eastern Washington with our Community Linkages funding.

The funding goals included:

• Strengthen infrastructure in community-based organizations that provide care coordination and health-related social needs.

• Encourage connectivity across sectors in the care system, improving client access to care.

• Shift power by supporting organizations that represent the communities they serve.  

We aimed to find organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to caring for the whole person through care coordination and social determinants of health services, such as resources for housing, food, culturally responsive care, transportation, employment, and support for justice-involved populations.

We are excited to share how the nine organizations used the funding and its impact on their communities.

View the original post announcing the funding here

Impact of Community Linkages Funding

The collective impact of these nine organizations demonstrates their influence across the eastern Washington region. Together, they are making a significant difference that resonates throughout the community!

• With this funding, partners served approximately 8,000 people, with over half identifying as BIPOC. Individuals include people on Medicaid, youth and young adults, adults 65+, and people with disabilities.

• In addition to providing direct services, partners referred to many external supports, including housing, food, education/employment, transportation, legal aid, primary care, and behavioral health services.

• Some of the identified barriers to accessing services include immigration status, language access, transportation, safe and affirming care, lack of housing vouchers, and staff capacity.

• Partners also used funding to grow their staff by adding case managers, care coordinators, community comadres, peers, and community health workers.

How Organizations Used The Community Linkages Funding

Compassionate Addiction Treatment (CAT)

The OAN IT program—Outreach, Advocacy, and Navigation Ignites Transformation—was established to support individuals exiting the county jail in their transition to stability. By connecting them with essential services, the program aims to reduce recidivism, successfully reaching over 75% of referrals from the jail. CAT peers have gained recognition from several judges and members of the prosecutor’s office as valuable resources for system-involved individuals, demonstrating their effectiveness and positive outcomes. However, the program faces significant challenges, including a housing supply shortage and the criminalization of homelessness, which complicate efforts to provide adequate support.

 Latinos en Spokane

Community Linkages funding has enabled Latinos en Spokane to grow its staff and expand its efforts in providing comprehensive wraparound services to community members, including housing assistance, health insurance navigation, and preventive health care. A feasibility study has been conducted to explore the possibility of securing a larger space in the future. Additionally, the organization is engaged in policy work and direct enrollment initiatives aimed at increasing Medicaid access for immigrants. However, they face challenges with the recent Apple Health expansion, which has resulted in a limited number of available slots. The organization is actively advocating for further expansions to address these issues.

Northeast Community Center/ The Zone

Community Linkages funding has been utilized to provide targeted housing services for families with children in Northeast Spokane. This includes connecting families to essential social determinants of health services, such as transportation, employment, and childcare. Participants have successfully used tools for budgeting and benefits calculations, reporting a 50% increase in housing stability at the program’s midpoint, with 100% creating a household budget. The organization is also exploring collaborations to enhance language support for English language learners. However, a significant challenge remains in the form of limited housing availability.

Nuestras Raices

Community Linkages funding has been used to develop a new program aimed at supporting caregivers of individuals with medically complex needs (more details can be found at https://www.hbpaofspokane.org/medicallycomplex). This initiative focuses on coalition-building, statewide advocacy, and peer support (parent-to-parent). Additionally, the program offers case management and social determinants of health services to 146 families in Adams and Spokane counties. However, they are facing increased challenges, as the demand for housing support has risen significantly compared to previous years.

Peer Spokane 

The Peers in Libraries program was established with Community Linkages funding to provide on-site peer support at the Central Library downtown. Peer supporters offer emotional assistance, distribute food, connect individuals to services, and build trusting relationships within the community. Impressively, the peer team made referrals to resources or services in 95% of their engagements. They collaborate with social work interns, creating a strong combination of peer support and professional guidance. However, the high volume of demand presents challenges, highlighting the need for additional staff. Having peers with specialized expertise, such as in housing, would be particularly beneficial, as housing is a critical need for many community members utilizing these services.

 Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington (PICA-WA)

Community Linkages was PICA Spokane’s first significant grant since its start in 2019, helping to build the infrastructure necessary for expanding their work and outreach. This funding supported wellness navigation, providing case management to help families address social determinants of health, and developed a food network that served 406 families during the one-year reporting period. Additionally, a newly established youth council was created to engage young people in their initiatives. However, the organization faces challenges related to language access, housing needs, and the allocation of limited resources.

Rural Resources Community Action 

Community Linkages funding is supporting initiatives from their new Deer Park office, which has broadened the organization’s geographical reach and improved accessibility for more individuals. With these funds, they offer hypertension self-management support, medication care coordination, and screenings for social determinants of health—conducting nearly 1,200 screenings between October 2023 and May 2024, with every participant offered a screening. These screenings revealed a need for domestic violence support, prompting the organization to develop appropriate responses. Additionally, they are working to integrate community health workers (CHWs) and scale up their services.

Spectrum Center Spokane

With Community Linkages funding, they established support groups for parents of gender-expansive youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ adults, and QTBIPOC adults. These support groups are thriving, thanks in part to a care coordinator who conducts basic screenings for social determinants of health and provides additional support to attendees as needed. While there were initial challenges in finding a skilled clinician to facilitate the groups, they have successfully connected with excellent professionals, and the groups are now progressing well.

West Spokane Wellness Partnership (part of the Northeast Washington ESD 101)

Community Linkages funding was utilized to develop a project focused on youth interventions for substance use prevention. This initiative includes outreach efforts and youth support groups addressing topics such as anxiety, vaping, and tobacco use prevention. The program distributes medication lock boxes, family board games, hygiene items, and other resources that promote holistic health for youth. Additionally, it offers screenings, brief interventions, and referrals to treatment for students participating in the support groups. Feedback from students indicates that their knowledge of available resources has increased significantly through these support sessions.

As we enter the season for reflection and gratitude, we want to pause and acknowledge the incredible community that surrounds us at Better Health Together. This year, we are especially grateful for the partnerships, collaborations, and unwavering support that have helped us continue to grow, connect, and make a meaningful impact in eastern Washington. From the community leaders to the families and individuals we serve, each person plays a vital role in our shared mission to build a healthier future for all. In this spirit of thanks, we take a moment to celebrate the strength and resilience of our community and the many ways we come together to create lasting positive change. Below are just a few highlights of the amazing things our partner community organizations are doing to make a difference in their communities.

The Carl Maxey Center Launches New Digital Learning Lab

Exciting News! The Carl Maxey Center is thrilled to announce the launch of their new “Lift Zone” Digital Learning Lab, thanks to a generous $50,000 donation from Comcast!

As a center devoted to the holistic development and well-being of the African American community, this innovative space empowers you to engage with their programs virtually. From online education and workforce development to racial equity, social justice, advocacy, and cultural enrichment, the Lift Zone brings resources right to your fingertips!

Ready to help support their mission? Head to carlmaxeycenter.org to make a difference. Every contribution fuels change and growth!

Latinos en Spokane is Launching Two Exciting New Programs

Latinos en Spokane is launching a new youth initiative, “Ser y Crecer”, focused on building school and community relations to address challenges faced by Latino and immigrant families in Spokane. The new program will focus on reducing child isolation, supporting schools and families in increasing school attendance and connections to community programs.

The second new program will focus on advancing efforts for immigrant rights, environmental justice, housing access, and worker protections, contributing to a more equitable Spokane.

Ferry County Mobile Integrated Health

Ferry County Health staff Greg and Colton stand with the new truck they’re using to provide Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) services to patients, including direct health care and navigation support. To support this model, the MIH team – who all have medical training – are taking community health worker training too!

Nuestras Raices Opens New Office Space

The grand opening of the Nuestras Raices Centro Communitario in Othello was on October 12th. Their offerings include health and human services, economic development, education advocacy, workers’ rights, and cultural events. Read this article to learn more! 

Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington (PICA) Publishes the First-of-its-Kind Data Report on Washington’s Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities.  

“In efforts to build collective analysis and better partnership between our Pasifika communities, state and federal policymakers, institutions, and other stakeholders, we — with our partners at UTOPIA WA, NH/PI community members, and allies across the state — have researched, discussed, and written this disaggregated Washington NH/PI community data report to share first and foremost about our culture and our love of our people, but also about the specific ways in which systems were not built for us and the outcomes which have resulted because of this.

Through this report, we hope to uplift the critical need for more disaggregated and culturally aligned data collection and reporting, provide policy recommendations that are informed by community wisdom and successes, and continue to advocate for better Pasifika health outcomes in solidarity with BIPOC, queer, and disabled intersecting communities in holding systems and institutions accountable to the communities they serve.”

Volunteers of America Raises $140,000 at Annual Eye Contact Fundraiser Event

VOA is thrilled to announce that this year’s Eye Contact fundraiser raised an incredible $140,000!

“Thank you to every artist, sponsor, volunteer, and attendee who made this event a success. Thank you for making a difference with us- your support means the world to the individuals we serve! Together, we are building a more creative, compassionate, and connected community.”

“Eye Contact: Art Exhibit” was more than just an event; it was a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community. As guests mingled among the art, they enjoyed lite bites crafted by Inland Pacific Kitchen, immersed themselves in VOAs programs and live performances, and contributed to a cause close to their hearts.

Every brushstroke, every interaction, and every bid placed was a step towards creating a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Those who attended helped make “Eye Contact: Art Exhibit” a truly special experience. Together, they celebrated creativity, developed connections, and made a difference.

Rural Resources Continues To Serve Community Members

Rural Resources is honored to serve over 14,000 people in rural communities each year. Through education, resources, and support, they offer real hope to children, seniors, and families by working to create stronger and more stable communities for everyone. In honor of National Rural Health Day which took place on November 21, they are reflecting on the impact they make on the communities they serve.

Some of the ways they help people throughout Eastern Washington include:

• Delivering meals and providing nutrition education to senior citizens

• Helping individuals find employment and providing workforce training

• Providing free early childhood education along with medical and dental care

• Serving victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault

• Assisting low-income households with weatherizing their homes

• Providing emergency and transitional housing to individuals and families who need shelter

• And much more! Learn more about their services and programs at ruralresources.org

Lincoln County Health Department Awarded Extreme Weather Response Grant 

The Lincoln County Health Department was recently awarded an Extreme Weather Response Grant from the State of Washington Emergency Management Division. This grant will make a significant impact in the county’s ability to respond to extreme weather events by funding critical updates to their emergency shelter, including electrical upgrades, a new furnace, the installation of air conditioning, and covering the administrative costs to make these improvements possible.  These enhancements are vital for increasing the resilience of Lincoln County’s community in the face of extreme weather.