We're pleased to share that HealthierHere is collaborating with Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care and Vashon Youth and Family Services to help address key needs for behavioral health services and supports in Enumclaw and Vashon Island. This work is supported by funds from Cambia Health Solutions, as part of its commitment to address rural mental health needs across Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

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For Immediate Release: February 9, 2021

Seattle, WA
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Washington’s nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) have received $2 million from Cambia Health Solutions to address urgent mental and behavioral health needs intensified by COVID-19 in rural communities. The funds will be distributed across the ACHs, and each organization will disperse the dollars based on needs in their region.

“We’re honored to support the ACHs as they tackle the rising need for mental and behavioral health services across our communities,” said Peggy Maguire, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at Cambia Health Solutions.  “ACHs are trusted community-driven organizations and Cambia sees them as key partners to promote equity, foster resiliency and lift up community voice. We’re confident these investments will help break down the stigma surrounding mental health, improve access to behavioral support services, and support people in crisis or emotional distress.”

Each ACH will use the funding for initiatives tailored to address needs in their rural communities. In King County, the funds will help to address key needs for behavioral health services and supports in Enumclaw and Vashon Island.

HealthierHere, which serves as the ACH for King County, is a local collective action nonprofit that facilitates collaboration between communities and multi-sector organizations to advance health equity. With its partners – including Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care in Enumclaw, and Vashon Youth and Family Services on Vashon Island – HealthierHere will use the funds from Cambia to expand and enhance programs that provide behavioral health care and supports to adults and youth, with special focus on culturally, linguistically and trauma-informed care for individuals and families disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

“Cambia’s contribution will help us increase access to critical mental health and substance use disorder treatment services and supports in our rural, or more isolated, communities,” said Susan McLaughlin, Executive Director of HealthierHere. “The need for behavioral health care in King County is urgent and varies significantly in a region as large and diverse as ours. HealthierHere builds relationships with local partners to develop community-driven, multi-sector solutions that address community needs and this funding will allow us to expand the communities that can be reached.”

Cambia’s investment is part of a larger $11.5 million commitment to address rural mental health needs across Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

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‍About Cambia Health Solutions

‍Cambia Health Solutions, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is dedicated to transforming health care. We put people at the heart of everything we do as we work to make the health care system more economically sustainable and efficient for people and their families. Our company reaches millions of Americans nationwide, including more than 3.1 million people in the Pacific Northwest who are enrolled in our regional health plans. To learn more about us, visit CambiaHealth.com or Twitter.com/Cambia.

‍About HealthierHere

‍HealthierHere is a nonprofit collective impact organization dedicated to eliminating health disparities and improving the health and wellbeing of all people in King County, WA through innovative, community-driven, cross-sector collaborations. Governed by a 27-seat cross-sector board and guided by community, HealthierHere partners with health providers, social service agencies, community organizations, and consumers to catalyze, facilitate and measure new and better ways to address health and social needs – so that all people can get the care they need, how and when they need it.

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‍About Washington’s Accountable Communities of Health

‍Accountable Communities of Health are local partnerships that bring together health care payers and providers, public health, social services, community-based organizations, the justice system, schools, tribal partners, community members, and local government leaders to address health. ACHs seek to improve care, lower costs and strengthen communities.ACHs are an integral part of the Washington’s Medicaid transformation efforts. There are nine ACHs covering the state, each serving a distinct region. Over the past four years, ACHs have led efforts to transform local health care systems connecting health care and social services, developing plans to support health across sectors, and investing millions of dollars with providers and community partners. For more information, please visit www.washingtonach.org.‍

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Contact: 

‍Melissa Warner

HealthierHere

 mwarner@healthierhere.org

‍(206) 486-9339