A new funding opportunity is available from the MIDD Behavioral Health Sales Tax Fund for creative, innovative, and culturally and linguistically responsive approaches to increasing awareness and access to behavioral health services, building communities of support, and promoting life and wellness assets within BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities in King County.
Nationally, the current health system creates barriers that challenge providers and payers in providing whole person care and improving population health. In fragmented systems where care is siloed, people are at risk of falling through the cracks. In King County, the largest population of people who are “falling through the cracks” are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Significant disparities also exist within Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) communities when it comes to behavioral health.
According to the Center of Excellence, “Data has shown that LGBTQ+ populations of all ages disproportionately experience more instances of mental health and substance use disorders, suicidality, and poor wellbeing outcomes compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Intersectionality is an important consideration when serving LGBTQ+ populations, considering age as well as race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and ability.”
By empowering BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities to design approaches that meet their specific needs, this funding is intended to strengthen programs and address challenges to accessing and receiving behavioral health services for these communities in in King County.
Funding for Community Driven Behavioral Health
MIDD plans to invest a total of up to $330,000 in 2022 through this initiative and intends to provide at least six mid-size grants (up to $55,000) for one-year projects, pending King County Council’s approval of the King County Executive’s Second Omnibus submission.
Examples of proposed projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral health education and awareness campaigns to reduce stigma;
- Developing culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach programs that educate communities about mental illness, substance use, recovery, and treatment;
- Strengthening partnerships with faith-based communities and/or other relevant community-based assets;
- Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health and substance use services for BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities;
- Supporting behavioral health system and information/referral;
- Engaging youth through, including training or support for youth-led behavioral health programming; and
- Trauma-specific, trauma-informed, and person-centered projects that seek to provide mental health and/or substance use services to trauma victims and survivors. (i.e., human trafficking, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, domestic violence).
Successful applicants will propose projects that reflect community behavioral health needs and work toward the following desired outcomes:
- Increased access to and utilization of evidence based behavioral health services and resources;
- Improved knowledge and awareness of behavioral health services and resources;
- Reduced stigma related to behavioral health challenges and receiving services;
- Improved policies and systems to support and sustain increased access to behavioral health services and resources; and
- Support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities to address isolation and lack of community as result of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
Apply now
Pre-application conference: October 25, 2021 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. PT. The application webinar will be held on zoom.
Join by phone: 1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 837 6987 2763
Passcode: 735604
Applications due: November 30, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. PT
To apply and for more information visit: https://kingcounty.zoomgrants.com/gprop.asp?donorid=2209&limited=3741
Questions: Contact Andria Howerton, RFP Coordinator, at dchscontracts@kingcounty.gov
This MIDD initiative was developed with the intent of supporting small grassroots organizations and coalitions that provide culturally and/or linguistically responsive behavioral health services to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community members. The resulting grants will follow a simplified contracting process, with low administrative burden and some technical assistance, and organizational development support.
Release date: October 19, 2021