In 2023, King County voters approved the Crisis Care Centers Levy to create a network of five Crisis Care Centers. A Crisis Care Center is a place for anyone to go to get urgent care for a wide range of mental health and substance use crises, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To truly meet the needs of King County residents experiencing a crisis, the Crisis Care Centers Levy seeks to create a high functioning crisis system that includes someone to contact (988), someone to respond (crisis teams), somewhere safe to go (Crisis Care Centers), and someone to follow up (post-crisis care).
Already, King County expanded mobile rapid response crisis teams, and the first Crisis Care Center, Connections Kirkland, is open and accepting patients. First responders praise this center as a reliable place to take people in crisis that helps them do their jobs and get people the adequate care and support they need. King County is working to open four more Crisis Care Centers, including one in our most populous city, Seattle. In the meantime, anyone can go to Connections Kirkland.
RFP FOR POST CRISIS CARE NOW OPEN!
King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is excited to announce that $3,850,000 in new funding is available for Behavioral Health Agencies (BHAs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOS), and/or other partners to develop and operate teams to provide individualized support, care, coordination, and connections to services for people leaving a Crisis Care Center. This will ensure there is someone to follow up, an important part of the Crisis Care Centers Initiative. To apply for funds, eligible organizations are welcome to fill out and submit the new Request for Proposal (RFP).
Emphasis on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)
This RFP focuses on procuring providers who have relevant experience providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) to ensure that PCFU services meet the needs of those who experience ongoing inequities related to behavioral health. During CCC Levy implementation planning, DCHS received significant feedback to emphasize CLAS services within the post-crisis model, highlighting the overall need in the community for culturally appropriate care in recovery post-crisis. Examples of CLAS in a behavioral health context include offering services and information in multiple languages, understanding cultural norms and customs in practice, having a diverse workforce that reflects our diverse communities, engaging the community to maintain understanding of the community’s unique needs, and connecting people to cultural activities and supports to promote their recovery, overall wellbeing and mental health.
Learn More About Post Crisis Follow Up Programs
Having someone to follow up is a significant component of the Crisis Care Center model.
Post-crisis care supports people in their recovery the first 30-90 days after they leave a Crisis Care Center. Peer specialists or mental health professionals provide direct support and can serve as a bridge to link individuals to ongoing community-based services.
Care coordination could include managing a client’s short-term care, scheduling and taking them to appointments with new or existing behavioral health and medical providers in the community and connecting people to relevant social or culturally appropriate services to support their overall well-being ranging from housing and shelter to art, music, recovery groups and more. A significant component includes outreaching to our most vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, to meet and help individuals where they are, whether that’s in shelters, hotels, their homes, etc.
In addition to the post-crisis follow-up program, Crisis Care Centers discharge protocols emphasize individual needs and care coordination ensuring that people can safely return to their community or support system upon discharge, and that a warm hand-off is made. Staff help identify a safe place for people to go after they leave a Crisis Care Center and coordinate care with appropriate behavioral health, medical, and social services to support the person after they discharge. This could also include transportation assistance to return home, to stay with a friend or family member, or to access a respite or shelter resource. Options for transportation include Hopelink, ORCA, and ride share as appropriate.
RFP Timeline—Apply by August 15!
| RFP Release | June 20, 2025 |
| Pre-Proposal Information Session | July 16, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Final day to submit questions via ZoomGrants | July 23, 2025 |
| Proposals due | August 15, 2025 by 2:00 p.m. |
| Responses reviewed | August 20, 2025 through September 3, 2025 |
| Notification of selected and non-selected Proposer(s) | 3rd Quarter 2025 |
| Anticipated program/contract start date | 4th Quarter 2025 |
Questions? Need assistance?
For any questions, or if your organization needs any accommodations, please email: DCHScontracts@kingcounty.gov
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