Behavioral Health Facilities Program

The Department of Commerce manages funding awards through direct appropriation and competitive processes that establish new capacity for behavioral health services by building or rehabilitating facilities. Commerce’s partners in the program include the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Health Care Authority (HCA), the Department of Health (DOH), and one representative each from a Managed Care Organization (MCO), an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), an Accountable Communities of Health (ACH), a Behavioral Health Administration Service Organization (BH-ASO), and the Association of County Humans Services (ACHS).

Three image collage with hands, a road and an architect

The Behavioral Health Facilities (BHF) Program’s competitive funding rounds are 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 Behavioral Health Facility Competitive Grant​

The third competitive application round closed June 16, 2020. Awards will be announced by the end of August 2020 for applicants that applied for funding of Community Behavioral Health Grants to Address Regional Needs and Enhanced Service Facilities (ESF).

The second competitive application round closed June 16, 2020. Awards will be announced by the end of August 2020 for applicants that applied for funding of Mental Health Peer Respite Centers, 90- or 180-day LTCC facilities, Intensive Behavioral Health Treatment facilities, and Specialized Dementia Care (SDC) facilities. 

Our first competitive application round for Behavioral Health Facilities Grant 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.

  • Enhanced Service Facilities – 5 awardees – $9.26 million awarded
  • Specialized Dementia Care – 2 awardees – $2.5 million awarded
  • Secure Withdrawal Management and Stabilization – 2 awardees – $4 million awarded
  • Community providers for child and minor youth behavioral health services – 15 awardees – $20,471,950 awarded

Please see this press release and this press release for more information and a list of the awarded recipients.

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.

Trueblood Program Guidelines.

Behavioral Health Model Ordinance Project

In addition to funding capital grant projects, Commerce is leading a project to develop local siting guidance for community-based behavioral health facilities.

Related Law for 2019-21 Awards

Link to 2019-21 Program Legislation:
SHB 1102, Section 1041

2017-2019 Guidelines​

2017-2019 Awarded Project Guidelines

2019-2021 Guidelines​

Spring 2020 Competitive Guidelines
Fall 2019 Competitive Guidelines
Direct Appropriation Guidelines
19-21 BHF Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Need help?​

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: 360-725-3074

Lindsey Erickson
Program Manager
Lindsey.Erickson@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 564-999-3200

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: 360-725-3020

Health Care Authority
Melodie Pazolt
Section Manager
Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
Melodie.Pazolt@hca.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-0487
Peer Respite Technical Assistance

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

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