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…

Thanking the leaders of King County’s Best Starts for Kids

A message from DCHS Director, Leo Flor on the outgoing Best Starts leadership team. Since King County voters first approved the Best Starts for Kids Levy in 2015, Sheila Ater Capestany (she/her) and Marcy Miller (she/her) have grown a powerful idea into a cutting edge, nation-leading program that makes a meaningful difference in the lives…

King County launches new effort to prevent youth suicide, invites you to join

September is coming around the corner, and we are preparing for September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.   King County DCHS partnered with Rescue Agency to develop a countywide Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign to help prevent youth suicide during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, including a Suicide Prevention Week of Action that will take place September…

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health on Vashon Island

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal ideation you can call Crisis Connections or one of these lines for support:   Children’s Crisis Outreach Services (CCORS), 206-461-3222     Call a crisis line such as King County’s Crisis Line 206-461-3222 or visit http://www.CrisisConnections.org, available 24/7, 365, to help link you to available and…

School-Based Mental Health Program Making an Impact in King County Schools  

In the four years since the School-Based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to services or Treatment (SB SBIRT) began in King County, more than 25,000 middle school students were screened, more than 11,500 students completed a connection to services or treatment either internally at their school or with external mental health professionals, and more than…

Learn About the First Year of Love & Liberation’s Impacts on BIPOC Youth

The Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) team is proud and excited to share a report highlighting early impacts of Love and Liberation (L&L). L&L is a racial justice initiative focused on self-liberation and systems change to improve outcomes for young people of color. L&L is implemented by the Racial Equity Coalition (REC), a collaborative…