Recognizing the continuing need for involuntary inpatient mental health services, the state Legislature funded $32 million in the 2015-2017 budget for capital grants to assist with construction or renovation for inpatient and crisis mental health services. WSHA advocated strongly for the funding for a capital pool. While many of the dollars were earmarked for specific projects, $5.5 million was placed into a competitive pool to be distributed to applicants through the state Department of Commerce. The number and amounts requested far exceeded the competitive pool amount. The Department received 15 applications requesting a total of more than $17 million. After the award announcement, grant recipients must agree to the terms of the funding and officially accept the award.
Last week, the department announced the following recipients:
- Jefferson County Public Hospital District No.2 – Port Townsend, $1.509 million
- Providence Mount Carmel Hospital – Colville, $2 million
- Rainier Springs, LLC – Vancouver, $5,000
- Spokane Springs, LLC – Spokane Valley, $5,000
- US HealthVest – Marysville, $10,000
- US HealthVest – Olympia, $10,000
- Walla Walla General Hospital – Walla Walla, $2 million
For existing hospitals, the capital grant award also comes with a Certificate of Need (CN) exemption through legislation WSHA supported last session. The CN exemption does not apply to the $5,000- $10,000 grant awards. If you have any questions, please contact Chelene Whiteaker at chelenew@wsha.org or (206) 216-2545. (Chelene Whiteaker)
