Individuals enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid), Public Employees Benefits Board, and School Employees Benefits Board coverage - and those accessing behavioral health services - will not experience a disruption in care due to the federal government shutdown. In addition, health care providers will continue to be paid for the services they provide. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates if anything changes.
SURSAC was enacted through legislation in 2021 and codified in RCW 71.24.546. The committee includes a panel of individuals with lived experience, legislative representation, and subject matter expertise related to behavioral health community needs, harm reduction, outreach, treatment, and recovery support services. The committee provides policy recommendations to the legislature. View the roster.
Receive updates on SURSAC work and plan implementation.
If you are unable to attend an upcoming via Teams, you can watch the live recordings on TVW. Past meetings also have a recording via TVW.
| Date | How to join | Meeting materials |
|---|---|---|
|
October 6 9 to 11 a.m. |
Joins Teams meeting. | |
|
November 3 9 to 11 a.m. |
Joins Teams meeting. | |
|
December 8 9 to 11 a.m. |
Joins Teams meeting. |
| Meeting | Date | Meeting materials |
|---|---|---|
| SURSAC | September 8 | |
| SURSAC | August 4 |
|
| SURSAC | July 7 |
|
|
Safer Supply Work Group
|
June 13 |
HCA, Health Management Associates (HMA) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), will host a community meeting to present and discuss policy recommendations submitted by the Washington Safer Supply Work Group to the Washington state legislature. All are welcome - especially individuals and organizations involved in harm reduction, behavioral health, public safety, and community engagement. At the meeting, HMA will present the work group's final recommendations, provide education on safer supply programs and facilitate a live Q & A session. |
| SURSAC | June 2 | |
| SSWG | May 19 |
|
| SURSAC | May 5 | |
| SURSAC | April 7 | |
| SSWG | April 7 | Community webinar on safer supply recommendations
|
| SURSAC | March 3 | |
| SURSAC | February 3 | |
| SURSAC | January 6 |
| Meeting | Date | Meeting materials |
|---|---|---|
| SURSAC | December 2 | |
| SURSAC | November 4 | |
| SSWG | October 3 | |
| SSWG | September 23 | |
| SURSAC | September 9 | |
| SSWG | September 5 | |
| SURSAC | August 5 | |
| SSWG | August 1 | |
| SSWG | July 11 | |
| SURSAC | July 1 | |
| SSWG | June 6 | |
| SURSAC | June 3 | |
| SSWG | May 23 | |
| SSWG | May 9 | |
| SURSAC | May 6 | |
| SSWG | April 25 | |
| SSWG | April 11 | |
| SURSAC | April 1 | |
| SSWG | March 28 | |
| SURSAC | March 4 | |
| SURSAC |
February 5 |
|
| SURSAC | January 8 |
Since 2023, SURSAC has recommended several measures, many of which were adopted per 2E2SSB 5536, to help individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) access outreach, treatment, and recovery support services. These measures are intended to be:
The Safer Supply Work Group (SSWG) concluded its activities as of October 2024. In alignment with its statutory mandate, the work group completed a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape related to safer supply strategies. Preliminary recommendations were submitted to the governor and relevant legislative committees on December 1, 2023. The final report, incorporating the work group’s conclusive findings and recommendations, was delivered on December 1, 2024.
SSWG meeting schedule complete
The final meeting for SSWG was October 3, 2024. The schedule of meetings is now complete.
For questions about Blake:
Email: HCA ESB 5476
For questions about SURSAC:
Email: Michelle Martinez
Senior SUD project manager
Phone: 360-725-1139