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Where mission
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January is National Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Month, a time to recognize the role that prevention, treatment, and recovery supports play in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across Washington. For those working with children, youth, young adults, and families across the prenatal–25 continuum, this month offers an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to early intervention, coordinated care, and recovery-oriented services.
In this issue, we highlight upcoming trainings and events, share resources that support families and caregivers, and elevate approaches that center prevention, recovery, and youth- and family voice. Together, by building strong, connected pathways to care, we can continue advancing recovery and creating healthier futures for Washington’s children, youth, young adults, and families.
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January is National Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment month, a time to recognize the role treatment, prevention, and recovery supports play in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. For those supporting children, youth, young adults, and families across the prenatal–25 continuum, this month is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to early intervention, coordinated care, and recovery-oriented services.
Substance use challenges can affect individuals at any stage of life from pregnancy and early parenting through adolescence and young adulthood. Timely, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive services can make a lasting difference, supporting healthy outcomes for both individuals and their families. Across Washington, providers and partners are working every day to ensure people can access the right level of care, when and where they need it.
Effective substance use treatment goes beyond clinical services alone. It includes prevention and early identification, family-centered approaches, peer and recovery supports, and strong coordination across behavioral health, physical health, child- and family-serving systems, and community-based organizations. When these elements are aligned, individuals are better supported in their recovery and in achieving long-term stability and well-being.
Throughout January, we invite providers and partners to reflect on the impact of their work, highlight innovative practices, and strengthen connections across systems. By continuing to build pathways to care that are accessible, trauma-informed, and responsive to the unique needs of prenatal populations, children, youth, and young adults, we can collectively advance recovery and create healthier futures.
Help individuals and families find the support they need by sharing information about free and low-cost behavioral health services available in Washington. Visit the prenatal, child, and young adult behavioral health services or the youth and young adult substance use treatment websites to learn more and connect individuals to substance use treatment resources.
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Join researchers, providers, and advocates from around the world for the 10th International Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD 2026. Explore how research, policy, and practice intersect to improve real-world outcomes for adolescents and adults with FASD.
April 17–20, 2026 | Hyatt Regency, Seattle
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Join providers, educators, families, and people with lived experience for the free Psychosis CARE 2026 Virtual Conference, April 28–29, 2026. Learn about early identification, resources, and best practices for psychosis care in Washington State.
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Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) trainings were designed to support providers, peers, supervisors, and community partners in delivering youth- and family-centered mobile response. MRSS uses trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, best-practice approaches.
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During this time of year, many families are setting intentions on health and wellness. Some parents and caregivers find that reflecting on their relationship with alcohol is an important step in centering a healthy family system. Young people are influenced by their family and environmental norms around alcohol use, which can be a predictor of their own future relationship with substances. Parents and caregivers may find it confusing to discern what is an ‘appropriate’ amount of alcohol in one’s life. What is simply, too much? Like many questions regarding behavioral health, the answer is individualized, requiring a better understanding of the factors that drive someone’s use of alcohol. Influences like culture, values, community norms, age, and religion help determine if an adult’s alcohol use may be considered perfectly appropriate or why it may be deemed harmful.
A possible first step is to utilize an evidenced-based screening tool to better understand your relationship to drinking. After reviewing your results, you may find that reducing your use could be beneficial in modeling healthy behavior for the young people in your life. If so, you’re not alone. There are many resources that could be supportive, including speaking with your primary care physician or working with a mental health provider. If you find that your relationship with alcohol feels unmanageable and more intensive support could be useful, utilize the Washington Recovery Helpline for Substance Use services and treatment in your area. Remember, it is never too late to start on your New Year’s resolution, and we can reach them faster when we do it with the help of others.
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Young people experiencing homelessness need supports that reflect where they are in their life stage development, not systems designed for adults. As they move into young adulthood, their needs, strengths, and vulnerabilities are unique and still evolving. Learn more about why age-responsive, youth-centered approaches across schools and social services matter for supporting stability, healing, and long-term well-being.
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