The Community Linkages RFP is live now, a $3.6 million funding opportunity. BHT is inviting proposals from organizations providing care coordination and services for social determinants of health. Learn how to apply here.
Read MoreBHT took into consideration many factors when designing the funds flow model for Medicaid Transformation Project achievement in years 2019-2021. Click to read about the funds flow models approved by the BHT Board at their November 28, 2018 meeting.
Read MoreOn behalf of the Spokane Region’s participation in the Safety and Justice Challenge, BHT is releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to organizations that provide services that address community safety, early intervention, or reducing recidivism. A total of $75,000 is available to support innovative, community-based approaches to…
Read MoreA 6-part series focusing on internal human resource practices that can have an immediate impact on building equity into an organization's DNA. We are hosting this first cohort to gauge interest in equity-based series like these. Our hope is to have 6-8 organizations participate. Because of the limited size of this cohort, we are asking all interested organizations to fill out a short application. Applications are due by May 5.
Read MoreBHT is recruiting to fill open seats for our Rural Public Health and Managed Care representatives. BHT will prioritize BIPOC representation, gender diversity, people with lived experience, and age diversity for service on the Board. These two appointments will be a modified term running until the formal end of the Medicaid Waiver.
Read MoreThe BHT Board of directors unanimously approved a total of nearly $1.3M for a robust COVID response strategy. This decision will kick off a busy spring for our team and the many partners we will be working with to get this work off the ground.
Read MoreSmile Spokane and our partners work to eliminate oral health disparities in our region and our work is far from done. Many of these disparities result from historically racist health care policies that deny access and quality care to non-white people in the United States. When you look at the data it is an undeniable reality.
Read MoreWashington’s nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) have received $2 million from Cambia Health Solutions to address the urgent mental and behavioral health needs in rural communities intensified by COVID-19. The funds will be distributed across the ACHs, and each organization will disperse the dollars based on the needs in their region.
Read MoreJanuary 15 marked the last day of Open Enrollment 8. We are sure you can hear the collective sigh of relief as our hardworking Navigator Network eased back into a more normal pace of work. Our Access to Care team along with the entire Navigator Network assisted over 4,000 of these individuals in gaining or continuing their health coverage.
Read MoreThe report includes a regional overview: behavioral health needs, treatment, and financing, as well as focused subsections of the report provide more in-depth data on: 1) racial/ethnic disparities in behavioral health care access; 2) community behavioral health; and 3) transportation and geographic access to care.
Read MoreAt the September meeting, the BHT Board of Directors approved an allocation of up to $207,000 in funding from Integrated Managed Care (IMC) dollars to support the Washington State Broadband Office's Feasibility and Grant Maximization Initiative.
Read MoreBHT is inviting proposals with the intent to support innovative approaches that work to reduce recidivism, embed an equitable approach, and improve access to behavioral health services for criminal justice involved individuals, as well as, early intervention and prevention with youth.
Read MoreThe Health Benefit Exchange has announced a second Special Enrollment Period, from August 17-September 30.
Read MoreThis month the BHT Board approved for BHT staff to advocate for community water fluoridation via councilmanic action and approved an allocation of $250,000 from our Regional Infrastructure dollars to support the implementation once approved.
Read MoreThis week, BHT's Board of Directors unanimously approved several motions regarding racism and the action we will take to combat systems of oppression and steward change.
Read MoreBHT wrote the Spokane Public Schools Board in support of the adoption of the Board resolution on racial equity. The letter is copied below:
To:
School Board President, Jerrall Haynes
School Board Vice President, Michael Wiser
School Board Member, Nicki Lockwood
School Board Member, Jenny Slagle
School Board Member, Kevin Morrison
From: Alison Poulsen, Executive Director
Date: June 9, 2020
RE: Support for School Board Resolution on Racial Equity
On behalf of the Board and staff of Better Health Together (BHT), we strongly support the proposed Resolution on Racial Equity. BHT is committed to ensuring every person in our community has the institutional support to achieve their full health potential and that no person experiences negative health outcomes as a result of identity, environment, or experiences.
Over the past two years, BHT has committed our work to increase health equity through our Medicaid Transformation efforts. These efforts include:
Financially supporting our Community Voices Council members with stipends. It’s often an unfair financial burden to community members to participate, while organizations pay for their leaders to participate.
Organizationally supporting our county-based Collaboratives to select a community Equity project. The Spokane Collaborative has prioritized activities related to:
outreach to policymakers and landlords regarding rental assistance needs emerging during COVID;
parent & caregiver support trainings in the 99207 zip code, and connecting those trainings to resources & incentives such as food and financial assistance; and
creating messaging about available mental health resources while mental health stigma may be lessened during COVID.
Structuring our contracts with Primary Care and Behavioral Health providers to include Pay-for-Equity activities.
Deepening our BHT staff and Board’s commitment to equity via monthly equity trainings and workgroups focused on expanding knowledge and dismantling white supremacy culture.
We stand with Spokane Schools to build anti-racism into the bones of our society to increase empowerment, belonging, value, and hope for the future (adapted from Ijeoma Olou). We applaud your adoption of this Racial Equity resolution and action steps.
BHT is currently requesting proposals from individuals or organizations experienced in web design. The project is the creation of a website that will act as a centralized “check-point” for regional behavioral health and social determinants of health (SDoH) providers regarding key services, current availability, and org contact info.
Read More
