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Kids’ Mental Health—Pierce County (KMHPC) is a coalition of people and agencies in Pierce County that are joining together to address the growing behavioral health crisis among school age children and youth.

Our MissionKids’ Mental Health – Pierce County is dedicated to developing a coordinated, responsive behavioral health system that serves the needs of children, youth and families at the right time, in the best place, with the best outcome for every family. KMHPC coordinates with initiatives focused on young children to create a continuum of behavioral health services starting at birth.

For more information and to link arms to improve child and adolescent mental health in Pierce County visit: www.kidsmentalhealthpiercecounty.org 

Suggestion # 1: Focus on What You Can Control

“I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers flow in the right direction, will the earth turn as it was taught, and if not, how shall I correct it?”

(from the poem ‘I Worried’ by Mary Oliver)

Too many helpers feel helpless because we’re focused on all the things we don’t really have any control over. As Laura van Dernoot Lipsky puts it, “You know in your gut that there is only so much you can do, but you still feel responsible in some way.” (Trauma Stewardship, p. 51)  Link to Full Article 

KMHPC Named NAMI WA Program of the Year

Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County (KMHPC), a community collaborative created by Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital to improve access to youth mental health services, earned the “2021 Program of the Year” award from the Washington State chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition,” said Ashley Mangum, MSW, program manager for KMHPC and behavioral health social worker at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. “We are committed to doing everything we can to serve local youth and get them the help they need and deserve. We’re grateful for the enthusiasm and community support for Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County.”

Created in October 2018 by Mary Bridge Children’s and multiple partner agencies in Pierce County, KMHPC’s goal is to improve access to care and coordination for mental health services, bolster youth mobile crisis services, and develop a family wellness center for local families and youth.

“Mental illness is a top three cause for medical hospitalization for youth between 10 and 18 years old,” said Chris Ladish, PhD, chief clinical officer of pediatric behavioral health at Mary Bridge Children’s and MultiCare Behavioral Health Network. “Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County has and continues to work hard to destigmatize mental health by providing education and resources for youth struggling with behavioral health concerns.”

Today, KMHPC has more than 800 members representing 60 community agencies and stakeholders. The organization hosts free webinars and programs for youth, families and educators, and works with local school districts and school counselors to address the youth mental health crisis. Behavioral health navigators with KMHPC have helped more than 670 kids get support, connecting them to services and resources from Mary Bridge Children’s.

For more information about KMHPC, including how to get involved, visit kidsmentalhealthpiercecounty.org. For more information about behavioral health services at Mary Bridge Children’s, visit marybridge.org.

In 2020, NAMI Washington awarded KMHPC the first-ever “Youth Mental Health Program of the Year.” The organization solicits nominations every October and announces the winners in December. For more information about NAMI Washington, visit namiwa.org.

Pierce County
Behavioral Health Improvement Plan
In December 2020, the Pierce County Council passed Ordinance 2020- 138s, creating an additional sales and use tax for behavioral health and therapeutic courts. Consistent with RCW 82.14.460, revenue for this tax may be used to fund mental health, substance use disorder, and therapeutic court treatment programs and services. The ordinance requires the Human Services department to develop a Behavioral Health Improvement Plan (BHIP) to guide funding priorities over the next six years. The BHIP is to be submitted to the Council and updated biennially. This document is intended to fulfill the BHIP requirements outlined in the ordinance. Access Report Here 
KMHPC Upcoming Events & Webinars

20 Young People Die by Suicide Every Day in the United States

According to the National Institute for Mental Health’s most current data which is from 2018 – Approximately 7600 young people under the age of 25 died by suicide.

Join us for a private screening of My Ascension: A Documentary Film and Movement to Spread Hope and Fight Suicide

This private screening is for Pierce County High School Students & their support systems.

Doors open at 1:30PM – Space is limited.
Reserve Your Seat Today!
For more information or questions contact: Ashley Mangum at ashley.mangum@multicare.org or 253-403-4201

Learn More
"My Ascension" for Suicide Prevention - Film Trailer
Training Registration
Volunteers Needed for Youth Summit 
KMHPC extends an invitation for Pierce County Community Organizations to participate in a resource fair that will be held from 4-5 at the Summit. If you are able to participate please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/tzUBjFL6Ct 
The Kids Mental Health Pierce County Website  now features three resources to locate a Behavioral Health Provider in Pierce County. Visit the KMHPC website to learn more about: South Sound 2-1-1, Mary Bridge Behavioral Health Navigation, and the Washington State Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens. 
Community Resources and Events

Grant Announcement

Harm Reduction Grant Program

Application Due Date: Monday, February 7, 2022

The purpose of the program is to support community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services programs, and other harm reduction services. Funding will be used to enhance overdose and other types of prevention activities to help control the spread of infectious diseases and the consequences of such diseases for individuals with, or at risk of developing substance use disorders (SUD), support distribution of opioid overdose reversal medication to individuals at risk of overdose, build connections for individuals at risk for, or with, a SUD to overdose education, counseling, and health education, refer individuals to treatment for infectious diseases, such as HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and viral hepatitis, and encourage such individuals to take steps to reduce the negative personal and public health impacts of substance use or misuse. 

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Learn More About the Grant
Workforce Development

Looking for Mental Health Clinicians to Join Our Team!

The Youth Engagement Services (YES) Program is expanding into the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District! We are actively recruiting for 1 Mental Health Clinician-SW to join the YES Team. These positions will be working with students from Sumner-Bonney Lake to reduce disrupted learning due to behavioral health needs by providing Behavioral Health Navigation and Brief Intervention to SBLSD students.

Please share the position requisitions with anyone you think would be a good candidate:

Application Link 

Beacon Health Options is recruiting for a  NCWA Care Coordinator position.
https://anthemcareers.ttcportals.com/jobs/7852990-outreach-care-specialist-ii
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Copyright © 2021 Kids' Mental Health-- Pierce County, All rights reserved.



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