Pierce County announcement.
The Pierce County Human Services Behavioral Health program is accepting applications to provide mental health, substance use disorder, and therapeutic court-related services within Pierce County.
Applicants must apply online before 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 14. Interested parties will have an opportunity to attend a bidder’s conference before the deadline. Approximately $28 million is available to address the following funding targets identified in the 2021 Behavioral Health Improvement Plan:
- Rural Behavioral Health
- Behavioral Health Workforce
- Community Education
- Prevention and Early Intervention
- Outpatient and Community-Based Services
- Crisis and Inpatient Services
- Services for the Justice Involved
- Behavioral Health Housing Supports
“The pandemic exacerbated what we already knew – people in Pierce County are struggling to get their behavioral health needs met, especially in prevention and treatment,” says Human Services Director Heather Moss. “We’re looking for providers who can offer a wide range of services including treatment in rural communities, sobering centers, crisis intervention and prevention for children, and other innovative and effective programs that address the unmet substance use disorder and mental health needs in our community. Mental health can be maintained and restored in many ways – we welcome creative proposals from our social services community to help address this county’s mental health needs.”
Funding is available from two taxes, the Behavioral Health Tax and the Liquor Excise Tax. In December 2020, the Pierce County Council passed Ordinance 2020-138, authorizing a one-tenth of 1% Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts Tax (BHTC) in accordance with RCW 82.14.460. This fund was established for the purpose of improving the quality of life for county residents and decreasing criminal justice system costs and emergency department use by reducing negative outcomes associated with untreated mental health and substance use disorders. The liquor excise tax is used to fund substance use treatment programs provided by agencies licensed by the Department of Health.
Applicants must register with OpenGov, Pierce County’s new e-Procurement Portal, using this link. After signing up, an email will be sent to activate the account. There is no cost to register with OpenGov. Vendors already registered with OpenGov can view current solicitations at www.PierceCountyWa.gov/Bids.
Applications will be reviewed and scored by members of the Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB), which will then make recommendations to the Pierce County Executive and County Council. The BHAB serves in an advisory capacity to assist the County in meeting the comprehensive behavioral health planning responsibilities required by applicable laws.
Now that’s a grift if I ever seen one. Wow. How many different ways are we going to fund the bureaucracy of the homeless industrial complex? It’s actually pretty impressive. And that most people believe it to be a good thing! The propaganda is fantastic.
Indeed! When this came up a couple of years ago, agencies and companies showed up at testimony with their hands out, extolling the tax and attempting to claim their piece of the pie. The 2021 Behavioral Health Improvement Plan lists 33 different programs and positions to be filled with this money. It is very diffused which leads me to believe it will not be effective and there will be little if any accountability for changes in Pierce County mental health or homelessness situation. Would it not have been better to focus on just a few of the most pressing problems instead of offering something to everyone? That would have required an analytical rather than equitable approach.
I try not to be overly-judgemental of other people, but it really is near-impossible not to be, unless you go through life with a blindfold on.
I waited this morning in a Walmart parking lot, for my wife to come out with a few items she needed.
As I sat there, I observed several people who seemed to be more or less living in their cars.
One individual in particular was so large that I am not sure how “they” managed to insert themsrlves between the steering wheel and the back of the seat.
Perhaps they grew in place, as their dash and passenger-side seat were covered in food wrappers; their plates were long-expired; and it would be a safe wager that they had no insurance.
For the entire 15minutes or so that I was parked across from them, they tapped away on a cell phone, doing who-knows-what.
The drivers-side window was an opaque piece of plastic and duct tape.
As I sat there waiting, I filled my time on my phone, looking for a set of batteries for my truck, as my current set had started to fail.
I was shocked at the quotes which were north of $500 after tax – more than my parking lot companion’s car was worth.
I paused to thank the Lord for my ability to meet that demand and keep my truck rolling.
At the same time, I reflected on the many years of hard work, risk, and sacrifice that went into building my economic position.
I thought of the many times when my mental condition was less than stellar as I battled life’s circumstances.
I thought of the many forks in the road and crossroads, where pivotal decisions were made – where delayed gratification was chosen over instant gratification.
I looked back and wondered what “they” was typing and to who – again trying not to judge and failing completely.
I processed a swirl of emotions, trying to analyze what I was seeing.
I’m not proud of my conclusions, and I wondered just how many people are out there like that.
Is that what mental illness looks like, and how can we even begin to help someone who is making no effort to help themselves?
I had just received notification that the police caught the arsonist who recently set one of my properties on fire – my 8th arson in under 4 years.
I’d never even met the guy.
The last one we caught was released from Western State after a short stay – scotfree.
My tenants and staff are continuously assaulted by “mentally-ill?” people, who seem to have nothing but time on their hands, to do whatever they want, whenever they want to do it, like setting buildings on fire when we are not looking.
Yeah, I try not to be overly judgemental, but it’s really really hard.
All I’ve seen come from the multi-billion dollar mental health/pharmaceutical/psychological/social-justice industrial complex, is more mental health issues and a push toward communism, which is really what a conglomeration of dominant social programs is.
“Tax the rich, feed the poor, until there are no rich no more”.
Then we will all be eating cheeseburgers in a parking lot, and living a lie on a cell phone.
Darn it, there’s that judgement again. Forgive me Lord.
It’s long past time to have an honest brutal public discussion about mental health, rather than just more million$ toward “Healthcare professionals”.
Some of us are paying a much higher price for society’s “behavioral issues”, some of us are profiting from it, so please consider that before you throw your stone.
Brian,
Yes, thank you. Your words are much more eloquent then mine. I’m happy to have you as a neighbor. I’m very often reminded of the on going class action lawsuit against Tylenol regarding their medication and it’s effects on the unborn. I shop at the same Walmart. I’m also blessed to be in a position to be able to consistently care for what’s needed within my household after having come from some of the worst conditions we’ve had, until recently, in the Pierce County area.
Well as a mother of a 10 year heroin addict… And at this point has mental health issues… This may just save his life… If we could put them all on an island and treat them individually with love and dignity wouldn’t that be perfect
That is exactly my point! There needs to be a prioritized approach to the most pressing mental health needs of Pierce County, not dithered away across dozens of independent competing companies. What are the most pressing problems in Pierce County? I’m not sure that the 2021 Behavioral Health Improvement Plan is focuses on anything in particular, a recipe for a wasted effort. The best in the future for you addicted child but I wouldn’t depend upon “luck”.
It’s great to see that Pierce County is taking steps to address the growing need for mental health and substance use disorder services in their community. With $28 million in funding available, it’s clear that they are committed to making a significant impact. I’m curious to know more about the bidder’s conference – what kind of information will be shared and how will it benefit potential providers? Additionally, I’m interested in learning more about the specific services being targeted in the 2021 Behavioral Health Improvement Plan, particularly in regards to community education and prevention. How will these initiatives be implemented and measured for success?