The Bridge Coalition

The Bridge Coalition, in partnership with NorthStar Advocates, is a statewide collaboration working to prevent unaccompanied young people, ages 13 to 24, from discharging from inpatient behavioral health settings into homelessness. Members include housing providers, behavioral health professionals, MCOs, and young adults with lived experience. The Coalition supports cross-system coordination, training, and customized return-to-community planning to ensure youth leaving treatment have access to safe housing and services.

The Washington State Legislature funded the Post-Inpatient Housing for Young Adults Program (also known as the Bridge Housing Program) in 2024. This program provides up to 90 days of recovery-focused housing with behavioral health support for unaccompanied young adults aged 18–24, with current facilities in Kirkland (Friends of Youth) and Spokane (Excelsior Wellness). The Bridge Coalition provides monthly training and input to the program to ensure the voices of those with lived experience remain central to the program’s design and delivery.