Kids’ Mental Health Washington
Kids’ Mental Health Washington (KMHWA) is a partnership between Health Care Authority (HCA), Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) (formerly known as Developmental Disabilities Administration or +DDA), and Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County that helps children and youth access coordinated behavioral health support, regardless of insurance or funding type. The model reduces fragmentation by aligning public and private systems and community partners around a clear point of access for youth and families.
To do this, KMHWA has established 10 regional teams with community-based youth behavioral health navigators who connect youth and families with resources based on their individual needs. Services include consultation, care coordination, behavioral health navigation, and Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) that bring together local agencies, schools, providers, families, and communities to review needs, recommend resources, and collaborate with supports.
Every regional team is guided by a local steering committee with representation from child welfare; schools; emergency services; juvenile justice; behavioral and primary health providers; autism specialists; social support providers; peer and community organizations; BIPOC and Tribal-affiliated agencies; MCO care coordinators; DDCS case managers; Family, Youth, System Partner Round Tables (FYSPRTs); Tribes and Indian Health Care Providers (IHCPs); and regional Children’s Long-term Inpatient Program (CLIP) members. KMHWA is supported by HCA and the regional Behavioral Health-Administrative Services Organizations (BH-ASOs).
