Behavioral Health Facilities Program
Behavioral Health Facilities grants establish new behavioral health service capacity through acquisition, renovation or new construction of real property.
Our Program
The Behavioral Health Facilities (BHF) program aims to support community providers in expanding and establishing new capacity for behavioral health services in local communities.
Commerce’s BHF program funding opportunities include:
• Competitive grants to eligible organizations
• Direct appropriations from the Legislature
Funding Availability Information
The BHF program funding is open to eligible organizations who are either a community hospital or a community based behavioral health provider. Applicants must be either a nonprofit, for-profit, local government or a Tribe. Nonprofit and for-profit business applicants must be registered in the State of Washington. All applicants must be able to meet all applicable licensing and certification requirements under specific RCWs and WACs pertaining to the behavioral health services proposed in the facilities to which the funding will be applied.
Grants made by the BHF program are for reimbursement of capital projects only. Capital costs include acquisition, design, engineering, construction and capitalized equipment associated with establishing behavioral health facilities. If funding is provided for the acquisition of a building or land, the acquisition must result in increased community-based behavioral health care.
2021 - 2023 Eligible Organizations Webinar Materials
On October 21, 2021, we conducted a live informational webinar with Q&A session. Select the link below to view a recording of the presentation. Also available is a PDF of the PowerPoint slide presentation and a FAQ with questions and answers from the webinar.
Competitive Grants Status
The Fall 2021 competitive funding round applications in the Enhanced Services Facilities, Specialized Dementia Care, Regional Needs, and Crisis Triage and Stabilization funding categories closed on December 1, 2021. Commerce is now reviewing submitted applications and award decisions will be announced in March 2022. For applications in the 90 and 180-day Long-term Civil Commitment Beds, Child and Minor Youth, Crisis Triage and Stabilization for Trueblood Phase 2, Intensive Behavioral Health Facilities, Peer Respite and Secure Withdrawal Management and Stabilization funding categories closed on January 10, 2022. Commerce is now reviewing submitted applications and award decisions will be announced in late March or April 2022.
The Spring 2021 BHF-Premera Blue Cross Crisis Stabilization competitive funding round for behavioral health facilities closed July 15, 2021. Commerce awarded $2 million to two successful applicants that will create more community-based care options for rural clients seeking behavioral health crisis stabilization. For more information about awarded projects, see the list in the right-hand column under the header Funding Round Awardees.
The Winter 2020 BHF-Premera Blue Cross Crisis Stabilization competitive application round for behavioral health facilities closed December 28, 2020. Commerce awarded $2.24 million to three successful applicants that will create more community-based care options for rural clients seeking behavioral health crisis stabilization. For information about the awarded projects, see the list in the right-hand column under the header Funding Round Awardees.
The Spring 2020 competitive application rounds for Behavioral Health Facilities closed on June 16, 2020. Commerce awarded $33.8 million to 22 successful applicants that will create new beds and outpatient services. For information on awarded projects, see the list in the right-hand column under the header funding Round Awardees.
The Fall 2019 competitive application round for Behavioral Health Facilities closed on November 6, 2019. Commerce awarded $36.2 million to 24 successful applicants from across Washington, helping to create additional new beds and outpatient services for community-based behavioral health care. For information on awarded projects, see the list in the right-hand column under the header Funding Round Awardees.
Trueblood Crisis Triage and Stabilization Competitive Grant Opportunities
Trueblood is an active lawsuit that challenged unconstitutional delays in competency evaluation and restoration services.
In the 19-21 biennium, Commerce received $2 million for one or more crisis diversion or stabilization facilities to add 16 beds in the Spokane region. We awarded $1.96 million of that funding to Spokane County to help fund a new 32 bed facility that is expected to open in later this summer/fall 2021. These beds will address both urban and rural needs, consistent with the Trueblood vs. DSHS Settlement Agreement and Implementation Plan. Click here for the press release.
In the 21-23 biennium, Commerce has received $12 million for two 16-bed crisis triage and stabilization facilities in the King County region, one within the city of Seattle and one in south King County. Projects must be consistent with the settlement agreement in A.B, by and through Trueblood, et al., v. DSHS, et al. No. 15-35462. See the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) listed above for more information about funding available for these two facilities. On November 2, 2021, the BHF program hosted a webinar to share information about the funding opportunity. Select the link below to view a recording of the presentation. Also available is a PDF of the PowerPoint slide presentation and a FAQ with questions and answers from the webinar.
2019-21 Behavioral Health Facilities Funding
| Funding Category | Total Appropriation | Number of Projects Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Services Facilities | $11,277,000 | 7 |
| Dementia Care | $10,000,000 | 7 |
| Secure Withdrawal Management and Stabilization | $4,000,000 | 2 |
| Trueblood | $2,000,000 | 1 |
| Peer Respites | $5,000,000 | 3 |
| 90/180 Day Civil Commitments | $8,000,000 | 4 |
| Regional Needs | $4,000,000 | 5 |
| Intensive Behavioral Health | $8,000,000 | 3 |
| Child and Minor Youth | $20,954,000 | 15 |
| Direct Appropriation | $51,512,000 | 24 |
| Premera Crisis Stabilization | $2,240,000 | 3 |
| TOTAL | $126,983,000 | 74 |
Behavioral Health Facilities
Behavioral Health Model Ordinance Project
Related Law
Link to 2021-23 Program Legislation:
SHB 1080, Section 1069
Link to 2019-21 Program Legislation:
SHB 1102, Section 1041
Program Guidelines & FAQ
Funding Round Awardees
Program Staff
Department of Commerce
Amanda Sieler
Program Manager
Amanda.Sieler@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-791-1228
Kaletra Welch
Program Manager
Kaletra.Welch@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-764-0053
Tanya Mercier
Community Projects Supervisor
Tanya.Mercier@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-704-0139
Matt Mazur-Hart
Behavioral Health and Early Learning Section Manager
Matt.Mazur-Hart@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-742-9099
Behavioral Health Technical Assistance
Subject Matter Experts:
Secure Withdrawal Management and Stabilization – Zephyr Forest: zephyr.forest@hca.wa.gov
Intensive Behavioral Health Facilities – Matthew Gower: matthew.gower2@hca.wa.gov
90 and 180-day Long-term Civil Commitment Facilities – Margo Miller: margo.miller@hca.wa.gov
Peer Respites – Annie Dejka: annie.dejka@hca.wa.gov
Crisis Triage and Stabilization Facilities – Matthew Gower: matthew.gower2@hca.wa.gov
Crisis Triage and Stabilization Trueblood Phase 2 – Keith Lewis: keith.lewis@hca.wa.gov and Charles Gilman: charles.gilman@dshs.wa.gov
Regional Needs – Zephyr Forest: zephyr.forest@hca.wa.gov and Aaron Goddu: aaron.goddu@dshs.wa.gov
Child and Minor Youth – Amanda Lewis: amanda.lewis@hca.wa.gov
Peer Respite Tool Kit
Intensive Behavioral Health Treatment Services Tool Kit
90- and 180-Day Long Term Civil Commitment Tool Kit
Department of Health
Julie Tomaro
Division of Health Systems Quality Assurance
Facilities Program Manager
Julie.Tomaro@doh.wa.gov
Phone: 360-236-2937
Department of Social and Health Services
Jamie Tong
Resource Development Unit Manager
Jamie.Tong@dshs.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3293.