This winter is shaping up to be a transformational time for behavioral health care in our state. In January Washington received a $1 million CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program planning grant from SAMHSA, unlocking essential funding to support the implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model in this state. This model represents a long-term solution for building a more effective and sustainable community behavioral health system in Washington, and I’m excited and proud to see Sound Behavioral Health helping lead the way in implementing it in King County. I also want to express my deep gratitude to the Washington Council for Behavioral Health for their dedicated leadership in advocating for the statewide adoption of the CCBHC model. You can read the full announcement here:
With the 2025 Legislative Session in full swing, we are prioritizing our advocacy work through the Fourfront Contributor coalition. Our primary focus is protecting behavioral health services from potential budget cuts. Shortly before the session began, I participated in a panel discussion about CCBHCs at the annual Washington State of Reform Health Policy Conference in Seattle.
I also participated in a week of outreach and advocacy meetings in Olympia this month with several key legislators and members of Sound’s leadership team. In meeting with our government officials, we first expressed our sincere appreciation for their continued support and financial backing of Behavioral Health issues in our state. We also acknowledged the challenges posed by the current budget deficit. Despite them, we were able to secure sponsorship commitments to propose funding support for critical Sound program initiatives which will help ensure that vital Behavioral Health services remain accessible to those who need them most. For this, we are truly grateful for their unwavering help.
I am optimistic that our awareness efforts are resonating with state leadership as we work to ensure improving quality and access for behavioral health care remains a top priority for our state. It has been a chaotic start to the new year. In these uncertain times, I want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our community. We deeply understand the concerns and fears that recent political changes and executive orders may have created. Sound’s doors are, and will always, remain open to everyone. We stand firm in our belief in creating a space where everyone feels safe, respected, supported, and empowered.
In closing, I’d like to call attention to Sound’s recently updated mission statement: "Improving lives by providing equitable, recovery-focused behavioral health care for all in our community.
"Now, more than ever, we remain committed to that mission – and to building a community where everyone belongs. Everyone.
Please explore the many Ways to Give on the SOUND website. We are deeply grateful for your continued support of our critical mission.
Warm regards,
Katrina Egner
SOUND President & CEO
This month, I find myself reflecting on the power of partnership. Across our region, we have witnessed what is possible when communities come together around a shared vision. Seattle's successful role as a FIFA World Cup host city has showcased our region on a global stage and demonstrated the extraordinary impact of collaboration among businesses, community organizations, public agencies, volunteers, and civic leaders. We appreciated the opportunity, in coordination with King County, for SOUND’s Crisis Services team to contribute to the Behavioral Health Emergency Planning for the FIFA World Cup. Beyond the excitement of the tournament itself, the event has highlighted how collective effort can generate lasting economic opportunity, community pride, and positive outcomes that benefit us all.
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As SOUND Behavioral Health celebrates 60 years of serving the Puget Sound region, the organization has launched its new Corporate Community Partner Program, creating meaningful opportunities for businesses to invest in behavioral health while advancing employee wellness, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility goals.
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For more than 20 years, SOUND's Middle School Support Program (MSSP) has helped connect middle school students with behavioral health support where they need it most. The program is one part of SOUND's broader continuum of school-based behavioral health services, which bring care directly to students across King County. Since the program's inception, the Nesholm Family Foundation has helped sustain the MSSP through two decades of dedicated support, allowing students to access care in the place they spend much of their day: school.
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