How Philanthropy Can Support K-12 Students in Washington State: Updates from Behavioral Health Catalyst’s September Learning Session

The Behavioral Health Catalyst was thrilled to convene a learning session on September 19th, 2024, to consider recommendations and opportunities to improve the behavioral health of K-12 students in Washington (WA) State.

This session emerged from research commissioned by Washington Thriving, the effort to develop a statewide strategic plan for equitable behavioral health for Washingtonians from prenatal through age 25 (P-25)​. Behavioral Health Catalyst provides strategic advisory support to this work, co-chaired by Representative Lisa Callan and Diana Cockrell from the Washington Health Care Authority.

During the session, experts from the Bloom Works research team shared their process (referred to as a “Discovery Sprint”), insights, and recommendations.  This discovery sprint was a deep-dive into the question “How might we better connect middle and high school students to behavioral health services through school?”

Bloom Works’ research resulted in three key recommendations, built on the principles of strengthening collaboration between education and behavioral health, building services incrementally over time, and designed with relationships in mind:

1. Clarify roles, responsibilities, and ownership between education and behavioral health entities

2. Define minimum capabilities schools need in order to support students’ behavioral health in service of education outcomes

3. Investigate opportunities to develop sustainable funding and identify underused resources​

Following these recommendations, Bloom Works shared potential opportunities for philanthropy that emerged in the following areas:

1. Defining & implementing minimum capabilities related to behavioral health in schools

2. Learn more about what youth and families would find helpful in terms of connecting to behavioral health supports through schools

3. More effectively leveraging Medicaid for behavioral health supports in schools

Discussion from the experts and philanthropists in the room centered on different models of behavioral health in schools across Washington State, as well as consideration of where and how behavioral health care fits into schools generally, and the differentiation between the state’s role and the community’s role in this care.

As part of Washington Thriving, Behavioral Health Catalyst will continue working with Bloom Works, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Schools, and the Health Care Authority to action the recommendations. This includes additional conversations with interested philanthropists, with the aim of mobilizing funding where needed to advance the work.

You can join the discussion and learn more about philanthropic opportunities in Washington State by contacting us at info@BHCatalyst.org. 

Thank you to our speakers, collaborators, and network for making this session — and our exploration of this issue more broadly — possible.