Auburn, WA — Access to integrated health care is expanding in Auburn for 1,400 low-income residents with the addition of International Community Health Services (ICHS) at SOUND Behavioral Health’s Auburn Clinic. Patients can receive primary care and behavioral health services, get referrals for specialty care, and access health resources at the single care site located at 4238 Auburn Wy N. Opening June 16, ICHS at SOUND Auburn is unique because it centralizes health care services at a single site, lowering barriers to care and allowing patients to schedule multiple care services in one visit.

Combining primary care and behavioral health care in one clinic is crucial for delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care. This integrated approach supports whole-person health, improves outcomes through better care coordination, reduces stigma around seeking mental health support, and makes services more accessible and efficient.

“ICHS at SOUND Auburn provides much needed health resources to low income people,” said Kelli Nomura, CEO of ICHS. “By partnering with SOUND Behavioral Health, we are not only expanding access to medical care, we are building a bridge to behavioral health services, right here in Auburn. Together, we are ensuring more families can find trusted, culturally responsive care close to home.”

As South King County’s population has grown, some ICHS and SOUND Behavioral Health patients have faced long commutes to clinics in Seattle to access affordable, culturally appropriate care in the languages they speak. ICHS is collaborating with SOUND Behavioral Health to meet the needs of the people our organizations serve, in the place where they live.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to making care more accessible for the people who need it most,” said Katrina Egner, President and CEO of SOUND Behavioral Health. “Too many individuals and families in King County still face barriers when trying to access behavioral health and medical care. By working together with ICHS, we’re helping fulfill our goal that more people can find compassionate, lasting care in a convenient way.”

South King County’s growing behavioral health needs — including the impacts of the fentanyl epidemic, rising rates of depression and anxiety, and the challenges of accessing integrated care — make this collaboration especially timely. Additionally, it is common for individuals to experience both mental health conditions and chronic diseases, making it important to access behavioral health and medical care at one location.

ICHS and SOUND Behavioral Health are expanding in Auburn to help address unmet health needs which are prevalent throughout King County. Traditionally marginalized, ethnic, and low-income community members in South King County report higher levels of fair or poor health in comparison to their higher income counterparts elsewhere in King County, according to the 2022 ICHS Community Needs Assessment. Life expectancy is lowest in South King County at 79.1 years, according to the

2024 King County Community Health Needs Assessment.

The focus of ICHS at SOUND Auburn is on in-person, primary and behavioral health care. Services such as immunizations, mental health counseling, well-child services, and voluntary family planning are provided. The ICHS Mobile Dental Clinic will be located at ICHS at Sound Auburn once per month for visits and will expand its schedule for access based on need. Barriers to care access are eased because patients can access free transportation to and from the clinic.