Contact: 

Kelsey Nyland

Communications Director, Office of Recovery & Resilience

Kelsey.Nyland@snoco.org 

425-407-3071

Snohomish County Accepting Proposals to Increase Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Capacity

Snohomish County, Wash., November 30, 2022 – Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced that the County is accepting proposals to expand capacity of behavioral health facilities. The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will distribute funds from the County’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation, and it will focus on projects that increase available treatment capacity through capital facilities expansion or creation.

“The isolation and disruption caused by the pandemic have undoubtedly worsened challenges related to behavioral health across Snohomish County,” said Executive Somers. “As we talked to communities about ways to recover and move forward from COVID-19, there was consistent agreement around the need to expand affordable, high-quality behavioral health capacity serving all parts of the county. Our goal is to invest in projects that expand services, improve community health, and help ensure everyone in Snohomish County can access care when they need it.”

“We have seen the impacts that the pandemic is having on people’s mental and behavioral health,” said Council Chair Megan Dunn (District 2). “Our human services providers have shared that our current system does not have the bandwidth to meet this spike in need. This investment to expand behavioral health services will go a long way to help people’s mental and behavioral health and remove barriers to receiving needed care.”

“These funds will play a critical role in supporting those who are struggling with drug abuse in our communities. Snohomish County has and continues to invest heavily into addressing this key issue,” said Councilmember Nate Nehring (District 1).

“One of the keys to recovery is community. Placing these facilities where people can remain connected to their own community, no matter where it is in Snohomish County, will create opportunities for success,” said Councilmember Strom Peterson (District 3).

“Our rural communities currently suffer due to the lack of critical behavior health services available and convenient to the area,” said Councilmember Sam Low (District 5). “My hope is these funds will expand our service locations to help close the gap so the residents of East County have equal access to behavioral health resources.”

The County’s NOFA solicits projects from organizations that can expand behavioral health capacity. In particular, the County is seeking projects that:

• Focus on capital expenditures, like facilities;
• Meet communities where they are and ensure widespread geographic coverage; and
• Offer culturally responsive services to communities of color and residents who speak a language other than English.

Interested organizations can access the NOFA here, and the County will accept applications through January 27, 2023. The County will also host one remote technical assistance session for interested applicants; attendance at this session is strongly recommended. The session will take place on December 13, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Interested applicants can access the upcoming session on this website. Organizations can reach out to SnohomishCounty.Recovers@snoco.org with any questions.

Executive Somers established the Office of Recovery and Resilience to guide the County’s recovery work by ensuring federal pandemic relief is administered quickly, effectively, and equitably. Information on the County’s recovery work can be found at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/recovery.