Behavioral Health Facilities Program

Behavioral Health Facilities grants establish new behavioral health service capacity through acquisition, renovation or new construction of real property.

The Behavioral Health Facilities 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
• Closure prevention assistance for existing facilities

Funding availability

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. Funded projects 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. All funded projects must result in an increase in capacity for community-based behavioral health care.

Resources

Reports, guidelines and information

• Behavioral Health Facilities Program Guidelines – All Funding (PDF)
• 2020-2023 BHF Premera Blue Cross Crisis Stabilization Guidelines for Competitive Awards (PDF)
• 2023 Workshop for BHF Direct Appropriation Awardees (Vimeo)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Legislative reports

• March 2023 Crisis Stabilization Facilities Progress Report (PDF)
• 2022 Behavioral Health Facilities Report to the Legislature (PDF)

Previously awarded projects

• BHF-Program Investments by Biennia – 2013-2025 to 2023-2025 (PDF)
• Historic BHF Investments – 2013-2025 (PNG)

Legislative sources

• 2023-2025 Program Legislation:
  • Chapter 474, Laws of 2023
  • (ESSB5200, Section 1023)
    
• 2023-2025 Supplemental Budget:
  • SB5949, Chapter 375, Laws of 2024
    
    

Facility guidance and toolkits

• 90- and 180-Day Long Term Civil Commitment Toolkit
• 90- and 180-Day Long Term Civil Commitment Presentation Slides
• Child/Youth Residential Crisis Stabilization Program (RCSP) Fact Sheet
• Crisis Triage / Crisis Stabilization Facilities Fact Sheet
• Enhanced Services Facilities Fact Sheet (ESF) Information
• Intensive Behavioral Health Treatment Facilities (IBHTF) Toolkit
• Intensive Behavioral Health Treatment Facilities (IBHTF) Presentation Slides
• Peer Respite Fact Sheet
• Peer Respite Presentation Slides
• Secure Withdrawal Management & Stabilization (SWMS) Fact Sheet
• Specialized Dementia Care Program (SDCP) Information

Technical assistance

Health Care Authority

Contact HCABHFacilities@hca.wa.gov for help with Health Care Rates and Finance and these behavioral health facility types:

• 90- and-180-day Civil Commitment Facilities
• Child & Youth Residential Crisis Stabilization Program (RCSP)
• Crisis Triage / Crisis Stabilization Facilities (CSU)
• Intensive Behavioral Health Treatment Facilities (IBHTF)
• Mental Health Peer Respites
• Secure Withdrawal Management and Stabilization Facilities (SWMS)
• Trueblood Phase 2 – Crisis Stabilization and Triage Facilities

Department of Social and Health Services

Contact the Home and Community Services, Office of Community Transitions Resource Support and Development Unit by email at ResourceDevelopment@dshs.wa.gov for help with Aging and Long-Term Support Administration and these behavioral health facility types:

• Enhanced Services (ESF)
• Specialized Dementia Care Program (SDCP)

Department of Health

Contact Dan Overton, Inpatient/Residential Behavioral Health Facilities Program Manager, by email at Dan.Overton@doh.wa.gov for assistance with Community Health Systems.