The legislation reflects extensive community engagement, modernizes one of King County's most important behavioral health investments, and renames it the King County Behavioral Health Bridge. Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted legislation to the King County Council that would guide one of the County's largest local investments in behavioral health through 2034, reflecting extensive community engagement to better … Continue reading Executive Zahilay transmits implementation plan and new name for King County’s behavioral health sales tax
How to Help Someone in a Behavioral Health Crisis in King County
When we see someone experiencing a mental health, drug or alcohol related crisis in public, we want to help and often hear from residents and local businesses asking us who they can call. With summer and World Cup kicking off this week, we wanted to share some tips for locals to know from a training hosted earlier this month by the Department of Community and … Continue reading How to Help Someone in a Behavioral Health Crisis in King County
50 years in, DCHS’ Emergency Services Patrol carries out a critical mission
The Emergency Services Patrol (ESP) team, in the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, is one of DCHS’ direct service teams. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the team patrols in and around downtown Seattle, looking out for people in crisis. To learn more about their work, the team’s history, and what’s ahead, we sat down with the ESP … Continue reading 50 years in, DCHS’ Emergency Services Patrol carries out a critical mission
Mental Health Month: DCHS Makes Getting Routine Mental Health Care Easier for People in King County
May is mental health month, and we want to check in—how is your mental health? It’s been an especially stressful year for many communities that our Department of Community and Human Services serve, including King County’s immigrant, refugee, and LGBTQIA+ communities, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and people who are low income. Just like getting an annual physical, we all need to prioritize our mental health too, likely more than we do. “Setting … Continue reading Mental Health Month: DCHS Makes Getting Routine Mental Health Care Easier for People in King County
Breaking the Cycle: Connecting People to Mental Health Care After Hospitalization
For too long, communities across King County have faced barriers to getting the behavioral health care they need to support their long-term recovery. At the Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS), we are breaking the cycle through our commitment to following through, connecting people to routine mental health care and recovery supports after they are discharged from treatment in hospitals, inpatient programs, or Crisis Care Centers. New data shows efforts to connect clients of King County’s behavioral health services to outpatient care after a hospitalization are working and setting a national standard for follow-up care. The period after leaving a hospital is a … Continue reading Breaking the Cycle: Connecting People to Mental Health Care After Hospitalization
Help Shape Affordable Housing in Unincorporated King County
Want to learn how King County can create more affordable housing in unincorporated communities? We’re exploring three policy tools that could improve housing affordability and stability — and we want your input. Multifamily Housing Tax Exemption (MFTE): A program that lowers property taxes for housing developers that include affordable homes. It can apply to housing like townhomes and condos. … Continue reading Help Shape Affordable Housing in Unincorporated King County