Stories
From Karen, a parent –
The age of consent was designed to support young people in accessing treatment as well as declining treatment, and while I believe the intent was good, there were not enough protections put into place for families with youth who are incapable of making healthy choices. When […]
From Leslie, a pediatric social worker
Care coordination is essential to help families when they are in distress, confused about systems, feeling pressured to help their child(ren), and trying to navigate with busy lives, different languages, prioritizing life demands.
I’ve been doing therapy and case coordination in a pediatric primary care setting […]
From a Washington parent
A year ago my youngest teen had some serious mental health challenges. They had become severely depressed, evasive about communicating the causes with either parent. We were aware they were struggling, but it was hard to connect with them about what was happening.
Their school has a therapist […]
From Angela, a young person in Washington
When I was 15 years old, I was handcuffed and sent away to a wilderness camp in Utah. Wilderness camp saved my life. I come a from a foster care background and I had a very difficult time in the system. For example, I […]
From Shiyah, a young person in Washington
When I think about a time when community support really made a difference, my childhood and early teen years come to mind. When I was 14, I was really struggling—using substances, dealing with mental health issues, and constantly in and out of trouble.
Things could […]
From Jenny, a Washington parent
It was very hard to find the right services and support for my daughter’s behavioral health needs. I first noticed delays around her first birthday, but as a first-time parent my concerns were brushed off by most people. Thankfully, her pediatrician took me seriously and recommended […]
From Peggy, a Washington parent
The services offered by King County’s Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System were at the level our family needed. However, all the promise of the program was undermined by flaws in how it was delivered.
We were assigned a highly competent youth peer who started making inroads with […]
From a Washington parent
Our daughter has had a complex medical history since birth. She then had acute mental health and behavioral changes; the key word here is acute. Despite prolonged psychiatric intervention—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, parent coaching and training, etc.—her mental health and […]
From Jessica, a Washington parent
My son has severe autism. He is non-verbal with aggressive and self-injury behaviors that became more difficult to manage in his teens. We were in crisis for years with little to no resources that actually helped.
He was in and out of Seattle Children’s psychiatric unit from […]
From Jerri, a Washington parent
My transition age son’s psychosis spiraled out of control in our home in the months leading up to his first serious suicide attempt by jumping from the I-5 bridge in the raging winter Columbia River.
He was deeply paranoid about being poisoned and stopped eating/drinking at times, […]
Washington’s community-led approach to behavioral health earns national recognition for setting a new standard in prevention excellence.
KMHWA unites agencies and communities to give youth seamless access to behavioral health care across systems and funding sources.
A rapid response team helps youth with complex needs find timely, individualized care through cross-agency collaboration.
WSCC empowers families to shape Washington’s behavioral health system through peer support, advocacy, and lived-experience leadership.
Across Washington, tribal nations are leading innovative, culturally grounded approaches to behavioral health.
From rural schools to countywide coalitions, CoLab and SMART Center are advancing community-driven, evidence-based approaches that strengthen youth behavioral health.
The HIE connects providers and public agencies through secure, real-time data sharing that strengthens care coordination and public health.
Washington’s YYAHRT ensures no young person leaves foster care, treatment, or justice systems without stable housing and support.
This program funds grassroots groups that strengthen youth mental health through connection, creativity, and community leadership.
Seattle Children’s now offers same-day psychiatric urgent care—both in person and via telehealth—for kids and teens statewide who need timely mental health support.
The IRC offers teens in recovery a supportive, sober school environment where they can heal, learn, and build lasting futures.
FRCs create welcoming, no-cost spaces where Washington families connect, access support, and build the sense of belonging that strengthens communities.
Tackling youth loneliness statewide by helping schools and communities spark intentional connection through youth-led programs and actions.
Helps prevent young people leaving behavioral health care from becoming homeless, offering recovery housing and support through community partnerships statewide.
Elevates family voices in system design, turning lived experience into leadership that drives lasting change.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted public health professionals who can help bridge the gap between individuals and health care, advocating for young people and families’ needs, helping them navigate complex systems, and promoting well-being. In Washington, Medicaid supports CHWs who work in team-based care to promote behavioral health.
A pediatrician […]
Some states are pioneering solutions to mobile crisis response in rural settings where physical distance, staff shortages, and limited infrastructure present distinct challenges:
South Dakota has developed a program that connects law enforcement with behavioral health professionals via technology for 24/7 crisis support. Arizona achieves 30-40 minute response times […]
New Jersey is recognized as one of the best children’s behavioral health systems in the country, in part because of its supports for access and coordination. Families can access all services by calling PerformCare, the state’s single-entry point for behavioral health. Each county has an independent, family-run Family Support Organization […]
New Hampshire is an example of a state that funds community organizations to provide family-centered care coordination. Care Management Entities (CMEs) are contracted by the state to deliver intensive care coordination using a high-fidelity wraparound approach. They connect families to a wide range of services, including peer support. The state […]
Some states recognize the value of returning to relationship-based, community-centered approaches and natural supports for behavioral health.
In California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon, Medicaid covers traditional practices such as music therapy, sweat lodges, and dancing to support the physical and mental health of Native American communities. Native American health […]
Washington’s Statewide and Regional Family, Youth, System Partner Round Tables (FYSPRTs) are based on System of Care values and exemplify meaningful power-sharing in decision-making through its innovative tri-lead structure that gives families, youth, and youth serving system representatives equal authority and voice in shaping behavioral health services for children, […]
Many leading System of Care states use comprehensive assessment tools like the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) to define eligibility for behavioral health services based on functional needs rather than diagnostic criteria. This can establish Medicaid eligibility pathways that connect families to behavioral health services in early […]
New Jersey’s Children’s System of Care pools all of the non-Medicaid federal funding it receives across mental health, substance use treatment, and child welfare to maximize its use of federal Medicaid match funding. This has freed up state dollars to cover services for populations that might have otherwise had […]
Andrea (she/her) is a participant in Young Women Empowered (Y-WE). This organization offers programs for teens ages 13-19 in the Greater Seattle area. All programs are free to attend and center young women, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth. They explore topics across the core themes of belonging, wellness, […]
Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) offers programs for teens ages 13-19 in the Greater Seattle area. All programs are free to attend and center young women, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth. They explore topics across the core themes of belonging, wellness, and thriving.
Shaena (she/her) leads Y-WE’s wellness and mental […]
