Behavioral Health Facilities Grant Program
The Department of Commerce manages awards through direct appropriation and competitive processes to community hospitals and other community entities around the state to expand and to establish new capacity for behavioral health services. Commerce partners in the program include the Department of Social and Health Services, the Health Care Authority, the Department of Health, and one representative each from a Managed Care Organization (MCO), an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), and the Association of County Humans Services (ACHS).
The Behavioral Health Facilities Grant program is open to nonprofits, public entities, tribes and for-profit businesses. You must be registered in the State of Washington and licensed to provide behavioral health services under specific RCWs or WACs.
This is a reimbursement-style grant for capital construction projects only. Program funds come from the sale of state bonds (no federal funds). Grant funds may be used for design, engineering, construction and equipment costs associated with establishing these facilities. New flexibility for the 2019-21 biennium grants includes the ability to fund the acquisition of a facility or land if the project results in increased capacity.
2017-19 Biennium Program Awards
Round One Behavioral Health Facilities application awards were made to 18 health care providers across Washington, helping to create 341 additional beds for people with a wide variety of behavioral health issues. Click here for a list of Round One award recipients.
Round Two Behavioral Health Facilities application awards were made to six health care providers to help create 71 additional beds. Click here for a list of Round Two award recipients.
Preparing for the 2019-21 Behavioral Health Capacity Grant Program
Now that the Legislature has passed and the Governor signed the 2019-21 capital budget, we have begun the process of establishing new program design: updating program guidelines, determining categories, award amounts and dates for what will likely be multiple application rounds, based on the legislation and policy recommendations of the legislatively-mandated Behavioral Health Facilities Advisory Group.
A good place to start is to review Program Guidelines from the 2017-19 biennium. Please note however these guidelines apply only to grants awarded during the 2017-19 program (links to those award recipients above). The new guidelines will be similar in many respects, but different in others for the 2019-21 program. The best way to stay informed of program developments is to sign up for email updates on this page, and periodically check the website.
Important Tip: In order to understand the breadth of the 2019-21 program’s legislative mandate, we highly recommend that you take time to review and become familiar with the program’s enabling legislation, which will be critical when planning an application. You may do that by clicking here, or the link on this page titled “Related Law for 2019-21 Awards.” Then search for Section 1041.
Related Law for 2017-19 Awards
Link to 2017-19 Program Legislation:
ESSB 6095, Section 1007
Related Law for 2019-21 Awards
Link to 2019-21 Program Legislation:
SHB 1102, Section 1041
Need help?
Department of Commerce
Pat Gibbon
Program Manager
Patricia.Gibbon@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3023
Health Care Authority
Melodie Pazolt
Section Manager
Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Melodie.Pazolt@hca.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-0487
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
Melena Thompson
Behavioral Health Administration
Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
Melena.Thompson@dshs.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-7543
Sandy Spiegelberg
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration
Residential Support Program Manager / Home and Community Services
Sandra.Spiegelberg@dshs.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-2576
Community Capital Facilities staff
capprograms@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-3075