Behavioral Health Facilities Program

Our Program
The Behavioral Health Facilities (BHF) program aims to support community providers in expanding and establishing new capacity for behavioral health services in 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 nonprofits, public entities, tribes and for-profit businesses. 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 capitalize 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
2019-21 Competitive Grants
The Winter 2020 Premera Crisis Stabilization competitive application round is now closed. We are in the application review period and award announcements will be posted to this webpage sometime in March 2021.
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 Competitive Grant
Trueblood is an active lawsuit that challenged unconstitutional delays in competency evaluation and restoration services. Commerce received $2 million for one or more crisis diversion or stabilization facilities to add 16 beds in the Spokane region.
Commerce awarded $1.96 million to Spokane County to help fund a new 32 bed facility that is expected to open in 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.
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 |
TOTAL | $124,743,000 | 71 |
Behavioral Health Facilities
Behavioral Health Model Ordinance Project
Related Law
Link to 2019-21 Program Legislation:
SHB 1102, Section 1041
Program Guidelines & FAQ
Direct Appropriation Guidelines
2017-2019 Awarded Project Guidelines
Fall 2019 Competitive Guidelines
Spring 2020 Competitive Guidelines
Winter 2020 Premera Crisis Stabilization Competitive Guidelines
19-21 BHF Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
2020 Premera Crisis Stabilization Frequently Asked Questions
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
Health Care Authority
Melodie Pazolt
Section Manager
Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Melodie.Pazolt@hca.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-0487
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
Justin DeFour
Resource and Development Program Director
Justin.DeFour@dshs.wa.gov
Phone: 360-870-6309