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Where mission
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Welcome to our December newsletter!
This December, we’re focusing on key areas in youth behavioral health and wellness. Highlights include new resources for suicide prevention, expanded support for pregnant and parenting women, and exciting updates like the launch of the Washington State Behavioral Health Youth Network.
We are also spotlighting the work of Only7seconds, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing loneliness and fostering meaningful connections through simple yet impactful actions. Additionally, we’re sharing progress from programs like Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) and initiatives like HearMeWA, all aimed at empowering youth and fostering stronger, more supportive communities.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or youth, these tools can make a difference in creating a supportive environment. Thank you for coming together as a community to help young people thrive.
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As we approach the end of the year, Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) remain committed to providing resources and services that support families, caregivers, infants, children, youth, and young adults. Here are some updates on behavioral health initiatives and programs available across the state.
Washington Thriving: In partnership with the Washington Thriving Advisory Group, discussion groups, and other contributors, Washington Thriving (Washington's strategic planning effort for prenatal through age 25 behavioral health) has established a definition for behavioral health that reflects the complex experiences of individuals with lived and living experience. This definition will guide the strategic planning efforts for Washington Thriving's prenatal through age 25 initiative as the work progresses. You can view the definition on the Washington Thriving webpage and learn more about its development on the blog.
Expanded services for Pregnant and Parenting Women (PPW): HCA is partnering with residential treatment providers to address the need for substance use disorder (SUD) services for pregnant and parenting women by expanding treatment beds. The work underway has the potential to expand availability by up to 16 beds for this population.
Youth Mental Health Support Network: In September, the Washington State Behavioral Health Youth Network was launched to empower youth advocates and partners. This platform fosters collaboration to develop innovative mental health solutions, with future events and participation opportunities on the horizon.
Data-Driven decision-making: Insights from the latest Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) are driving community-led behavioral health planning across the state. These efforts focus on addressing the evolving needs of young people through programming and support.
As we prepare for 2025, HCA and DBHR remain dedicated to fostering community prevention and wellness statewide. For more information on these programs or to get involved, visit the HCA website.
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HCA is dedicated to Cultivating Community Awareness, Delivering Resources, and Facilitating Education (CARE) on First Episode Psychosis.
This free, two-day virtual conference will take place on April 29 and 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Those interested may also participate in a survey to inform planning efforts.
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SAMHSA has released a guide on suicide prevention for underserved youth. It shares evidence-based strategies to help at-risk groups, discusses challenges they face in accessing services, and offers tips for choosing and evaluating effective prevention programs. The guide also highlights successful programs supporting young people from underserved communities.
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The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting youth to serve on a statewide Youth Advisory Group for the HearMeWA Program.
HearMeWA is a free statewide program for youth up to age 25 who are dealing with a range of challenges, from stress and anxiety to threats and abuse. The HearMeWA Youth Advisory Group ensures the program remains youth centered.
The deadline to apply is the end of the day, January 1st, 2025.
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Founded in 2019, Only7Seconds is a nonprofit committed to reducing loneliness and encouraging meaningful connections. With the powerful reminder that it takes just seven seconds to brighten someone’s day, the organization motivates people to reach out to friends, family, and neighbors.
By partnering with schools, communities, and businesses, Only7Seconds provides tools and programs to help people build stronger relationships. Resources like the guide "A Parent's Guide to Lonely Teenagers" and other educational initiatives give individuals practical ways to tackle social isolation and support mental health, creating a ripple effect of connection and care.
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We’re excited to announce that the latest Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) data for Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) is now live on our website. This statewide data highlights trends over time, showcasing the progress made by young people in the WISe program.
The data demonstrates that youth enrolled in WISe for six months see a decrease in needs and an increase in strengths—a testament to the program's effectiveness.
Special thanks to those for their dedication to making this data accessible, especially ensuring the inclusion of information on children ages birth to five (B-5). Check out the detailed B-5 data here.
This data is a valuable resource—please share it widely within your networks!
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Stay informed and connected with the latest resources and updates on behavioral health services for prenatal, child, and young adult care. Visit our website for more information on the programs and support available.
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