Washington State To Increase Inpatient Capacity For Children With Severe Behavioral Health Conditions

Legislators in the state of Washington funded several initiatives in the 2022 through 2023 biennium to support increased inpatient capacity for children and youth experiencing severe behavioral health conditions. Currently, the state funds 94 long-term inpatient beds for children statewide. It seeks to add at least 12 long-term beds to provide a habilitative mental health (HMH) program for children and youth with co-occurring mental health, intellectual/developmental disability, or autism. This is a new service for the state.

To determine provider organization interest in launching a HMH program with at least 12 beds, the Washington State Health . . .