DEAR FRIENDS OF SOUND,

In a time of volatility, here at Sound, we’re proud to be a constant source of support and care for King County’s most vulnerable community members. Every day, our team navigates complex challenges with aguiding mantra: to do the next right thing. Whether working directly with clients and families or making organization-wide decisions, this simple butpowerful axiom keeps us focused on our mission to provide hope, healing andrecovery to those who need it most.

Across our agency, we remain committed to ensuringaccess to care and expanding programs and services to meet the evolving needsof our community. We continue to be on the frontlines of pioneering innovativecare models, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs),which offer comprehensive, integrated care for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. Additionally, programs like our Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams (MRRCT) further solidify our dedication to meeting people where they are and providingthe critical support they need, when they need it.

The impact of our work extends far beyond our clients.By offering preventive services and crisis response, we help reduce the strainon emergency services, law enforcement, and hospital systems—when theseorganizations work in tandem, our work has the power to transform lives andbuild stronger communities.

Right now, budget constraints and policy discussions atthe federal and state level threaten to undermine essential funding forcommunity behavioral health. Most of our programs are funded by Medicaid—knownas Apple Health here in Washington state. Across the state, one in fiveresidents relies on Medicaid benefits for access to medical and behavioralhealth care. It is a vital resource that ensures people receive the treatmentthey need to live healthy, stable lives.

In the coming weeks and months, you may hear proposals to reduce Medicaid funding. While we can't predict how these policy discussions will unfold over time, we aregrateful for the Washington state legislature’s decision to maintain current Medicaid funding levels for our services, based on their draft budgets issued on March 24.

We’re working on multiple fronts to ensure we maintain a strong community behavioral health system long into the future. We’re actively engaged with state lawmakers to protect funding for community behavioral health and continue Washington’s momentum in modernizing our system through CCBHC. At the federal level, we are participating in national efforts to advocate for Medicaid and ensure access to behavioral health care.  

Despite the uncertainty, onething remains clear: we are committed to doing the next right thing. These newchallenges may feel scary, and the unknown can be difficult to grapple with –but stand strong in knowing that we have been here before, and we will be heretomorrow.

Every day, we stand with ourworkforce, our clients, and our community to ensure that Sound remains a placeof hope, healing and recovery. Thank you for your continued support in ourmission.

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Warm regards,

Katrina Egner
SOUND President & CEO