BHA Advisory Workgroup

The Behavioral Health Advisory Workgroup is an extensive 30-member team of tribal leaders and Behavioral Health providers in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho focused on prgoram development as outlined in the Board of Directors for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board Resolution 18-03-09. This project is identified as a priority for Tribes. Current funding sources include Washington tribes, Medicaid Transformation Funds, Swinomish SAMHSA and North Sound BHO.

This workgroup held their first meeting on September 27th, 2018 and through the leadership of workgroup chairperson, Marilyn Scott from Upper Skagit, many priority tasks are in the works. These priorities include BHA talking points for leaders, a S.W.O.T. Analysis to form action plans for future planning, a crosswalk of providers who could matriculate to the CHA or BHA role, a cross walk of the BHA Education program in Alaska and what Tribal colleges have in Washington. A strong partnership has been developed with the Washington certified peer support counselors for SUD as well as continued efforts for identification of local Tribal based practices for inclusion in the BHA Education Program.