Behavioral Health Advisory Council

The Washington State Behavioral Health Advisory Council (BHAC) advises and educates the Health Care Authority (HCA) on planning and implementing effective, integrated behavioral health services by promoting individual choice, prevention, and recovery in Washington State.

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Are you interested in joining the BHAC?

Send us an email.

About the council

The membership is intentionally inclusive and representative of all communities and individuals with lived experiences with mental health and substance use disorder across Washington State.

The Council is a requirement of the Community Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) and the Substance Use, Prevention, Treatment, Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS). The council is made up of 51 percent of individuals with lived experience with mental health and substance use disorder and representatives of seven state agencies serving those with behavioral health needs.    

Meeting information

Behavioral Health Advisory Council (BHAC) meetings take place the second Tuesday of every odd month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meetings are currently virtual and open to the public. Reach out to the BHAC coordinator for an invitation.

What does the council do?

The council makes recommendations concerning the needs, planning, operations, funding, and use of services for mental health, substance use, and gambling disorders.

Every year the council writes an executive summary of The Block Grant Peer Review which analyzes at least 5 percent of block grant funded SUD and MH treatment facilities in Washington State. 

Every two years the council submits its own recommendations for the MHBG and SUPTRS block grants as part of the states combined block grant application.

Council duties

Council members:

  • Review plans the state provides to the Council and recommend modifications.
  • Monitor, review, and evaluate—not less than once a year—the allocation and adequacy of mental health services within the state.
  • Study programs and services, analyze problems, and identify gaps and barriers in the services system.
  • Review materials provided and discuss and analyze current mental health programs and ancillary services.
  • Solicit representative points of view from the communities represented by the Planning Council members concerning mental health issues. Provide information on mental health issues within those communities.
  • Create and manage subcommittees, as necessary, to facilitate and inform its work.

Meetings

Behavioral Health Advisory Council (BHAC) meetings take place the second Tuesday of every odd month from 9 a.m. to noon. Meetings are currently virtual and open to the public. Reach out to the BHAC coordinator, Nathan Lusk, for an invitation.

2026
Date Materials
May 12
March 10
January 13
2025
Date Materials
November 12
September 9
July 8
May 13
March 11
January 14
2024
Date Materials
November 12
September 10
July 9
May 14

March 6
January 3

Council background

Beginning in 2012, the former Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) submitted one Unified Block Grant application for community mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services. However, implementing services and reporting progress for both block grants remained separate.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also encouraged states with Joint Block Grant applications to create a joint advisory council. Washington State transitioned the previous Mental Health Policy Advisory Council (MHPAC) into a council that addresses all behavioral health conditions: mental health, substance use, and problem gambling disorders.

Email us if you are interested in joining the council. 

 

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