Inslee Recommends $14 Million for Compass Health in Proposed Budget

From Compass Health

Feb. 16, Compass Health announced that Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed 2021-22 capital budget includes $14 million in funding for phase two of the organization’s Broadway Campus Redevelopment Project.

Though the budget must still pass the Washington State House and Senate, the proposal is an important step toward creating a state-of-the-art regional center to support behavioral health needs across Northwest Washington.“The Broadway Campus Redevelopment project is designed from the ground-up to meet the state’s goals for modernizing and transforming our behavioral healthcare system. It will enable individuals to receive innovative, evidence-based mental health care in their communities, helping to prevent escalation to inpatient care and easing the burden on local hospitals, law enforcement and homeless services,” said Tom Sebastian, Compass Health CEO and president. “We’re honored and humbled that Governor Inslee agrees our project is a smart investment for Washington State, and are hopeful that the House and Senate will align their support behind this shared vision.”

If approved, the funding will support design and construction of the second phase of the Broadway Campus Redevelopment project: a state-of-the-art facility for intensive behavioral health services to replace Compass Health’s 70-year-old Bailey Center building on Broadway Avenue.

The 82,000-square-foot building will house 32 beds for inpatient and crisis stabilization services and provide a range of other integrated preventive and emergency services for an estimated 2,000 adults each year. Additionally, the project provides economic stimulus, creating an estimated 150 to 200 jobs during design and construction, and employing 130 behavioral health and medical professionals long-term.

The proposal marks significant support for the three-phase project. Phase one is set to open in spring 2021 with 82 new units of permanent supportive housing, helping relieve critical homelessness issues that have been exacerbated by health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compass Health and its partners will deliver the first phase on budget and within its planned timeline, despite logistical challenges of 2020.

“We know that Governor Inslee is focused on investing in the relief, recovery and resilience of Washington, and this project is poised to help achieve those very goals,” said Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory, Compass Health board chair and recently retired Sno-Isle Libraries executive director. “The Governor’s recognition of the importance of this project is a testament to the incredible planning and hard work of our teams and our overarching goal to amplify our community support and services region-wide.”

Phase three of the campus redevelopment, still in the early design stages, is projected to focus on integrating behavioral health services with a primary healthcare clinic and pharmacy, in addition to supporting other services.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to share how we will ensure access to a full continuum of care, and though we recognize we are in the first phase of the budget approval process, we’re already seeing early positive feedback from legislators representing diverse regions and viewpoints,” said Sebastian. “At the end of the day, this project truly embodies Compass Health’s ability to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals throughout the communities we serve.”

A list of funding partners and project updates can be found on the Broadway Campus Redevelopment project page.

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