Counties come together to discuss mental health and chemical dependency services

September 25, 2009

Summary

Officials and representatives from across the state met on September 24

Story

Over 80 representatives from 22 Washington counties gathered in Ellensburg on Thursday, September 24 for a conference on mental health and substance abuse issues. Attendees grappled with questions of how to fund and implement programs in a year of declining revenues. Challenges include issues such as homelessness and adequate resources for inpatient hospitalization; substance abuse services; and the provision of treatment options as an alternative to costly stays in jail and emergency rooms.

“All counties struggle with mental health and substance abuse problems. This conference allowed county leaders to proactively discuss methods of serving our communities well and spending tax dollars wisely,” said King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, who co-hosted the conference with the Washington State Association of Counties.

One of the main topics addressed at the conference was the mental health and chemical dependency sales tax, which is available to all Washington counties. The State Legislature provided authority to counties in 2005 to increase the sales tax by one-tenth of one cent – equivalent to a penny on a $10 purchase.

Since the legislature authorized it, 14 of Washington’s 39 counties have implemented the revenue option. The counties that have passed the one-tenth of one cent sales tax are Clallam, Clark, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Okanogan, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom.

Former King County Executive Randy Revelle was the keynote speaker at the conference. Mr. Revelle, currently the Senior Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs for the Washington State Hospital Association, discussed his personal story of recovery from mental illness. “It is important for county leaders to hear from each other as well as from individuals who have benefited from these programs as we continue to improve the system,” said Mr. Revelle.

“This conference was an excellent opportunity for leaders and practitioners, from both counties that have passed the tax and those who haven’t, to come together to discuss the complex and often challenging delivery of these vital services,” said Mason County Commissioner Lynda Ring-Erickson. Ring-Erickson also serves as the Executive Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, a non-partisan, non-profit association that serves all of Washington’s counties.

In addition, the conference covered a wide variety of issues, including topics such as building political and community support in order to secure funding; developing effective and efficient programs; performance measurement and evaluation; assessing legislative impacts on funding; and strategies for the current budget climate.

More information is available at Councilmember Ferguson's Web site