Behavioral health advocacy is intense. This week it was like standing in front of a fire hose. Nearly all of the issues below predate the pandemic. Governor Inslee must assume leadership and help guide a path to fixing our broken system. Parents can’t do it alone.
Documenting new evidence of our system in crisis:
- Disability Rights Washington files lawsuit against Washington State DCYF for failures in the foster care system
- King County Prosecutor, Pete Holmes, files with US Supreme Court to give judges ability to overturn state laws and put minors in jail with longer sentences
- HCA still calling WISe voluntary, in conflict with HB 1874 and the TR lawsuit settlement requirement that WISe must be an intensive service.
- Top Medicaid provider says suicidal children have “agency” and must have the right to make their own choices.
- “Troubled teen industry” under fire covered on NPR [https://the1a.org/segments/troubled-teen-industry-paris-hilton]
- Utah legislature considering limits to isolation and restraint in youth behavioral health facilities
Parents in crisis this week
- Suicidal 17 year old’s 5th suicide attempt. Parent must defend herself against a false CPS complaint while being blocked by the treatment center from discussing treatment plans.
- Parents of 16 year old homicidal child are relinquishing custody to CPS wondering if there are any good options for their son
- Parent seeking residential care for suicidal transgender child in transition looking for a referral
- Parents fighting a safety plan for hospitalized suicidal child. Child refusing to go home. Hospital says they will release her to a youth shelter.
- Mom of a child repeatedly restrained in Kindergarten by school staff is now fighting with the district to allow an inclusive middle school placement.
- Kinship grandmother trying to prevent relinquishing custody of her child by obtaining residential care because the child is refusing WISe. HCA has been unresponsive for months.
Other advocacy efforts taken
- Reached out to Attorney General’s office to learn what course of action we can take to hold the HCA accountable
- Called upon my legislators to ask our Governor to call a meeting to address the crisis in children’s behavioral health
- Emailed HCA leadership calling them on the carpet for their bias against residential care and failure to educate the system about HB 1874
- Filed a public records request for HCA internal communications and work output on implementing HB 1874 & 2883
- Reached out to multiple lawyers considering a class action lawsuit or crowd-funding one
- Attempting coalition building efforts with BLM & JR reform constituents
- Organized parents to write in support HB 1086 Creating the state office of behavioral health consumer advocacy passed unanimously in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.
- Tried to find a way to send books and art supplies to incarcerated youth in Green Hill.
- Helped 2 families draft letters about their family behavioral health crises and ensuing trauma.
- Moderated Youth Behavioral Health Care Advocates of Washington. If you aren’t already a member, please join us!