Today, Connections Health Solutions and the City of Kirkland opened the region's first walk-in 24/7 behavioral health crisis center along with partner cities of Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline. The new crisis center will provide walk-in urgent care and continued stabilization for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Its opening completes … Continue reading First-Of-Its-Kind Behavioral Health Crisis Center Opens in North King County
Learn about Designated Crisis Responders in King County
When a person is in a mental health or substance use crisis, law enforcement or emergency medical services are often the first to arrive. In some instances, Designated Crisis Responders (DCRs) also come to provide an essential service. DCRs investigate, evaluate, and ultimately decide whether to detain an individual under State statute for involuntary psychiatric … Continue reading Learn about Designated Crisis Responders in King County
Kelly Rider Appointed Director of King County Department of Community and Human Services
King County Executive Dow Constantine has appointed Kelly Rider to serve as the director of the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Kelly succeeds Leo Flor, who accepted a role outside of government. Since February, Kelly served as acting director of DCHS and previously served as chief of staff, where she oversaw … Continue reading Kelly Rider Appointed Director of King County Department of Community and Human Services
Two years of Restorative Community Pathways, a community-led program for King County youth
A fight breaks out in the cafeteria. In the heat of a disagreement between two high school students, a glass of water is thrown hitting someone in the head and splattering on the floor. Police are called to the school. From that moment in the cafeteria, the youth who threw the water is now involved … Continue reading Two years of Restorative Community Pathways, a community-led program for King County youth
Kelly Rider Now Serving as Acting Director of DCHS
King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) welcomes Kelly Rider as the new Acting Director of the department! For nearly two decades, Kelly has worked on strategic initiatives across all levels of government and most recently served as Chief of Staff for the department. Kelly joined DCHS in 2017 and began her … Continue reading Kelly Rider Now Serving as Acting Director of DCHS
New Actions to Stop the Surge of Fentanyl Overdoses and Expand Behavioral Health Treatment in King County
On Monday morning, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced a multi-part strategy across five priority areas to address the surge of fentanyl and stop the record overdose deaths in the region. The strategies expand behavioral health treatment, increase access to medications for opioid use disorder, and make overdose prevention tools and resources more widely available. … Continue reading New Actions to Stop the Surge of Fentanyl Overdoses and Expand Behavioral Health Treatment in King County