Glossary
About Us
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A
Access
The ability to obtain needed behavioral health services, including availability, affordability, and acceptability of services.
Adolescent Services
Behavioral health services specifically designed for teenagers (ages 13-17) that address their unique developmental needs and challenges.
Advocacy
Activities aimed at ensuring individuals receive appropriate services and supports, including helping them navigate systems and assert their rights.
B
Behavioral Health
The interaction between a person's body, brain, and their environment, including the feelings and actions that affect their overall well-being. Encompasses mental health and substance use.
BH-ASO
Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization - regional entities in Washington that administer behavioral health services.
C
Care Coordination
The organization of services and supports across multiple providers to ensure they work together effectively to meet an individual's needs.
CLIP
Children's Long-term Inpatient Program - Washington's program for children and youth who need long-term psychiatric hospitalization.
Continuum of Care
The full range of behavioral health services from prevention and early intervention through intensive treatment and ongoing support.
Crisis Response
Immediate services provided during behavioral health emergencies to stabilize individuals and connect them to ongoing care.
Cultural Responsiveness
The ability of services to adapt to the cultural, linguistic, and community needs of diverse populations.
CYBHWG
Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group - the Washington state group that developed the P-25 Strategic Plan.
D
Developmental Disabilities
Conditions that begin during the developmental period and result in impairments of physical, learning, language, or behavior areas.
E
Early Childhood
The developmental period from birth through age 5 when foundational behavioral health patterns are established.
Early Intervention
Services provided when behavioral health concerns first emerge to prevent more serious problems from developing.
Equity
Ensuring all individuals have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, with particular attention to historically marginalized groups.
F
Family-Driven
An approach where families have primary decision-making roles in the care of their children and in shaping policies and programs.
First Episode Psychosis
The first time someone experiences psychotic symptoms, which often occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Fragmentation
When services and systems operate independently without coordination, creating barriers for individuals and families.
G
Governance
The structures and processes that guide decision-making and accountability in the behavioral health system.
H
HCA
Health Care Authority - Washington's state agency that administers Medicaid and behavioral health services.
High-Intensity Services
Specialized behavioral health services for individuals with the most complex and acute needs, including inpatient and residential treatment.
I
IDD
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - conditions that affect cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors.
Integrated Care
The coordination of behavioral health services with physical health care and other support services.
J
JLEC-BH
Joint Legislative Executive Council on Behavioral Health - a Washington state group focused on behavioral health policy.
K
K-12 Behavioral Health
Behavioral health services and supports provided in school settings for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
L
Lived Experience
Firsthand knowledge gained through personal experience with behavioral health challenges and systems of care.
M
Medicaid
The joint federal-state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals, including behavioral health services.
Mental Health
A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Middle-Intensity Services
Behavioral health services that provide more support than outpatient therapy but less than hospitalization, such as intensive outpatient programs.
Mobile Crisis Response
Teams that provide immediate behavioral health crisis intervention in community settings rather than requiring individuals to come to facilities.
N
New Journeys
Washington's coordinated specialty care program for young people experiencing first episode psychosis.
No Wrong Door
A system design principle where individuals can access appropriate services regardless of where they first seek help.
O
Outpatient Services
Behavioral health services provided in community settings where individuals do not stay overnight.
P
P-25
Prenatal through age 25 - the lifespan focus of Washington's behavioral health strategic plan.
Peer Support
Services provided by individuals with lived experience of behavioral health challenges to support others in recovery.
Perinatal Behavioral Health
Mental health and substance use services for individuals during pregnancy and the first year after childbirth.
Prevention
Strategies and programs aimed at preventing behavioral health problems before they occur.
Q
Quality Improvement
Systematic efforts to measure and enhance the effectiveness and outcomes of behavioral health services.
R
Recovery
A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
Residential Treatment
Intensive behavioral health services provided in 24-hour live-in facilities.
RSN
Regional Support Network - Washington's former regional behavioral health service delivery system.
S
Screening
Brief assessments to identify individuals who may need behavioral health services.
Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
Mental health conditions that significantly impair functioning, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
System of Care (SOC)
A coordinated network of services and supports that is family-driven, youth-guided, and culturally responsive.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
A pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.
T
Telehealth
The use of digital technologies to deliver behavioral health services remotely.
Trauma-Informed Care
An approach that recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma while avoiding re-traumatization.
U
Universal Screening
The practice of assessing all individuals in a defined population for behavioral health needs.
V
Value-Based Payment
Payment models that reward quality and outcomes rather than the volume of services provided.
W
Washington Thriving
The initiative developing Washington's P-25 Behavioral Health Strategic Plan.
Workforce Development
Strategies to recruit, train, and retain qualified behavioral health professionals.
Wraparound
An intensive, individualized care planning process for children and youth with complex needs.
Y
Youth-Guided
An approach where young people have meaningful roles in shaping their own care and the systems that serve them.
