This spring has marked a season of uncertainty for many of us, in unforeseen ways. Here at Sound, we’re working hard to remain a source of consistency and strength for those we serve, and for our partner organizations across King County, Washington State and nationally.
While we continue to serve our community, we’re also advocating strongly to ensure the funding and infrastructure that we rely on remains intact, so that we can continue to meet growing behavioral health needs.
As our state leaders work to finalize the next biennium’s budget in the coming weeks, we hope that they’ll maintain the support they’ve demonstrated for community behavioral health in recent years. Maintaining current Medicaid funding levels is critical, as it compensates Sound for most of the work we do. We recognize that hard decisions lie ahead, but cutting compensation for behavioral health services would be a step backward – a step that we, as a county and state – can’t afford.
Our services help drive efficiency and better outcomes across our county and state by easing burdens on first responders, law enforcement, and local hospitals. Through preventive and crisis care, we’re able to redirect individuals that might otherwise end up in an emergency room or jail to our treatment programs, where they can receive tailored and sustainable care. So, not only do we support people in need – we save money and support better outcomes system-wide.
For these and many other reasons, we’re encouraging state lawmakers to act as a steadying force in protecting existing Medicaid funding rates for behavioral health, even as economic uncertainty and federal policy changes continue to muddy the waters. Beyond public funding, this environment of uncertainty also highlights the importance of funding and support from business and community leaders, for which we are extremely grateful.
Continued investment in Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) is also key to building a more modern, integrated, and accessible behavioral health system in Washington. Through models like CCBHC and programs like our Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams, we are meeting people where they are with care that is responsive, coordinated, and lasting.
Thank you for standing with Sound and with the communities we serve. We remain committed to doing the next right thing—for our workforce, our clients, and our community.
Sincerely,
Katrina Egner
SOUND President & CEO
Earlier this month, on Suicide Prevention Day, our team hosted a booth at Southcenter Mall to share an important message with the community: suicide prevention starts with awareness. At our activation station, we provided resources and practical tips for recognizing when someone may be struggling and how to reach out with care. Engaging with visitors throughout the day reinforced just how vital small conversations can be in making a big difference.
Read moreThis September, SOUND celebrated the power of partnerships in advancing hope, healing, and recovery. Highlights included the ribbon-cutting of the new ICHS Auburn Clinic, bringing integrated health services under one roof, and the launch of our SOUND Activation Station at Southcenter Mall to raise awareness on suicide prevention. We look ahead with excitement to the upcoming Sound of Hope Gala, where we’ll continue building community support for accessible, equitable care.
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Earlier this month, we had the honor of cutting the ribbon and officially opening the doors to a new chapter of care in Auburn. In partnership with International Community Health Services (ICHS), SOUND's Auburn clinic is now home to integrated behavioral health, primary care, and mobile dental services, all under one roof. This collaboration is more than just a co-habitation; it’s a powerful step toward whole-person care that lowers barriers, makes services easier to access, and provides a more supportive experience for individuals and families in our community.
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