King County is moving with urgency to implement the voter-approved Crisis Care Centers Initiative, building a new, robust crisis response system out of 988 as an alternative to 911. This initiative will also fund a network of five Crisis Care Centers to make it easy for everyone in King County to get the mental and behavioral health treatment they need.

After standing up the first Crisis Care Center in Kirkland, King County is selecting future operators and sites in Central (Seattle/Vashon), South, and East King County, plus one for youth.

Converge Media’s most recent “Community Voices” conversation hosted by Angela Poe Russell highlights the value of making urgent mental health care widely available for the first time and addresses questions we’re getting from community members right now.

Panelists include Daniel Malone from the Downtown Emergency Service Center, Amy Dodgion from Swedish Hospital, Jennifer Winslow and Dr. Matt Goldman from the Crisis Care Centers Initiative, as well as State Representative Nicole Marci and Community Member Paul Rosenthal.

During the panel, they discuss how to get help in a crisis today, including 988, mobile rapid response crisis teams, our first Crisis Care Center, Connections Kirkland, the potential Crisis Care Center location in Seattle, support and treatment available for people after they leave a Crisis Care Center, and more.

“The basic way to define what a crisis is, is when a person’s stressors outweigh their resources. Each person gets to define what a crisis is because everyone’s threshold is different.” – Jennifer Winslow, Crisis Care Centers Initiative

“The whole point of our crisis system that we’re building is there is no wrong door. Anybody can access care wherever they need. The door is going to be open no matter what.” – Dr. Matt Goldman, Crisis Care Centers Initiative

“I am super optimistic that things are now turning this corner where there are more resources… It’s the addition of new resources that gives me the most hope.” – Daniel Malone, DESC

“It’s highly significant. We are all craving something more to add to the continuum of care for behavioral health. The few things we have now cannot manage the burden alone.”- Amy Dodgion, Swedish Hospital

“I love it. Everything I’ve learned about this potential location sounds like it’s going to change the face of the neighborhood I live in. In a very good way.” – Paul, Community Member

“So much thought has gone into all the elements of a Crisis Care Center. Everything from the urgent care to that 23-hour observation or 14-day stabilization and then post-crisis care. We can count on that consistent approach in all regions of the County, which is something that we don’t have now.” – Representative Nicole Macri.

Potential Seattle Location

King County is exploring an opportunity to purchase a building on First Hill in Seattle to bring much-needed crisis services to our most populous city. King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) has been hosting community conversations and presentations with neighborhood residents, businesses, organizations, leaders and elected officials to discuss this potential location, listen to input, and educate on what Crisis Care Centers are.  To share your input and/or schedule a meeting, you can email ccclevy@kingcounty.gov.

King County will be taking all community feedback into consideration before deciding whether to recommend moving forward on this potential site.

Please see this flyer for more information.