State v. Blake and behavioral health expansion

Who is leading the work?

The following agencies and organizations are collaborating on the work of ESB 5476 and 2E2SSB 5536:

• Health Care Authority (HCA): 
  • Substance Use Recovery Services Advisory Committee (SURSAC)
• Behavioral health administrative service organizations (BH-ASO)
• LEAD National Support Bureau (Public Defender Association)
• Learn about the LEAD National Support Bureau
• Department of Commerce
• Administrative Office of the Courts

Substance use recovery services plan

The plan includes measures to assist individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in accessing outreach, treatment, and recovery support services that are low barrier, person centered, informed by people with lived experience, and culturally and linguistically appropriate.

• Preliminary report
  • Final Plan
    December 1, 2022
  • Adopt rules/contract
    December 1, 2023
• Plan (December 2022-2023)

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in jails program

A full MOUD in jails program will provide incarcerated individuals the opportunity for an opioid use disorder (OUD) assessment, evidence-based medication for OUD, sustained treatment throughout incarceration, and connection to continue treatment upon release or transfer. Overall benefits may include reduction in morbidity and mortality due to overdose, reduced re-offenses, reduced complications during withdrawal, improved jail staff safety, cost savings, reduced transfers to emergency departments, custodial costs, and overall improved relationships.

The MOUD in jails program contributes to the Washington State Opioid and Overdose Response Plan under goal 2 by expanding low-barrier access to MOUD in state jails (2.2.1), providing alternative funding to address the Medicaid gap for incarcerated individuals (2.2.10), and expanding access to and utilization of behavioral health services, including opioid use disorder medications in the criminal legal system, and improve effectiveness and coordination of jail reentry services across the state (strategy 2.4).

Read the MOUD in jails program fact sheet.

Clubhouse services

In response to State V. Blake, HCA has started efforts to expand Clubhouse International and Peer Run organizations. The expansion will include organizations who incorporate evidence-based practice models such as Clubhouse International, Recovery Community Organizations, and Recovery Cafe.

Contact Lauren Robbins for more information.

Peer Run organizations funding opportunities

Applications are available to assist HCA expand Clubhouse International organizations. Expansion will occur across all regions based on evidence-based or other practice models including Peer Run models such as Recovery Cafes, recovery community organizations, or other psychosocial rehabilitation program models.

View the Clubhouse International organization application.

Contact Lauren Robbins for more information.

Homeless Outreach Stabilization Transition (HOST) expansion

The Blake Bill (ESB 5476) established a plan for recovery services to assist persons with substance use disorder in accessing outreach, treatment, and support services that are low barrier, person-centered, informed by people with lived experience, and culturally and linguistically appropriate. HOST is designed to serve people who cannot access conventional physical and behavioral health services. HCA will expand HOST programs with the goal of increasing access to modified assertive community treatment delivered by multidisciplinary teams.

Read the Homeless Outreach Stabilization Transition (HOST) fact sheet.

Contact Meta Hogan for more information.

Recovery Navigator program

The Recovery Navigator program (RNP) is a statewide effort, in partnership with Behavioral Health Administrative Organizations (BHASOs), to provide community-based outreach, intake, assessment, and connection to services. These services support youth and adults with substance use disorder (SUD), including individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and others who are referred from community sources.

• Read the Recovery Navigator uniform program standards
• Read the Recovery Navigator program fact sheet
• View the Recovery Navigator program provider directory

Contact Ryan Keith or Suzanne Straub for more information.