2024 Year in Review
/2024 has been a year of change, of growth, and of learning for our team at BHT. The renewal of our 1115 Waiver has given us a new opportunity to look ahead in 2025, but we would be remiss if we didn’t take a chance to acknowledge all the hard work and impact that went into 2024. This year we celebrated new beginnings for a few programs, and the sunsetting and bittersweet goodbyes for others. We continue to center community voice in all we do, and even had some fun along the way growing our team.
To our partners, we couldn’t have done any of this without you. Your work in our community is what feeds our passion for system change and our drive for equitable solutions to our most complex community needs.
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2024 By the Numbers
We Continue to Put Community Voice First
Uplifting community voice and co-creation with our region has always grounded our work at BHT. This year, we focused in on our collaboratives and how we uplift voices that aren’t always heard and prioritized in the dominant systems. Our Community Voices Council brings together folx on Medicaid in our region to ensure the work we are doing is directly in service of their unique needs. We partner with the Tribal Partners collaborative to bring indigenous voices and sovereignty to the forefront of our regional efforts, and we are working to find new ways to highlight the efforts of the community-based workforce who connects those most in need to vital everyday resources and the care they need.
Community Voices Council (CVC)
As we reflect on the past year, the work of the Community Voices Council (CVC) stands out as a cornerstone of our mission. This dedicated group, made up of community members who have navigated the complexities of Medicaid, experienced barriers to care, and/or faced challenges due to their identity, income, race, or ability, continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that our efforts remain grounded in the needs of the people we serve, in community voice. The CVC’s recommendations, insights, and evaluations have helped shape the direction of our work, ensuring that it not only addresses health disparities but also empowers individuals to take an active role in improving their health and the health of those around them.
In 2024, the CVC onboarded 10 new members, growing its membership to 21
Six members attended a two-day conference with Say It Out Loud in May. The conference was focused on equitable access to healthcare for members of the 2sLGBTQIA and trans communities.
Members of the CVC completed the 10-hour equity 101 training with BHT.
The CVC participated in providing feedback through surveys and focus groups to the Continuum of Care, Spokane CHHS department, VOA, the CHW network, and other local and state agencies/organizations.
The group's biggest success was its advocacy work to keep the opioid treatment program housed within Spokane Regional Health District. This included participating in public forums, completing surveys, and members testifying to the Board of Health. Their participation, along with that of other community advocates, was crucial to the vote to postpone any changes for a minimum of one year.
Thank you to our team members Heather Wallace and Ethan Senn for facilitating CVC work!
Tribal Partners Collaborative (TPC)
In 2024, the Tribal Partners Collaborative (TPC) made remarkable strides in strengthening its foundation and aligning its work with shared Indigenous values. In a significant move, the Collaborative rebranded itself to better reflect its commitment to health initiatives that are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and community-driven approaches. Through a thoughtful review of its core values—belonging, connection, honesty, and consistency—TPC implemented new conflict resolution frameworks and policies that foster a supportive and fair environment for all members.
The TPC also revised its bylaws to clarify membership rules, aligning its application process with strategic goals, and welcomed new members through orientation and cultural practices that honor Indigenous traditions. This focus on transparency and inclusivity has been central to TPC’s work, ensuring that its policies and structures reflect the needs and values of the community. Initiatives like talking circles, quarterly reviews, and welcoming packages underscore TPC’s thoughtful approach to engagement and relationship-building.
TPC continues to strengthen tribal collaboration, fostering meaningful connections and paving the way for a healthier, more unified future. We celebrate TPC’s dedication to uplifting Indigenous communities and look forward to their continued leadership in building a stronger, more inclusive health landscape.
Thank you to our team member Hadda Estrada for helping facilitate the collaborative’s efforts!
Highlighting Community Health Workers in Our Region
In 2024, we took the opportunity to highlight community health workers in eastern Washington. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the unsung heroes who bridge critical gaps in our healthcare system, ensuring that underserved communities receive the care and resources they need. These dedicated professionals are making an incredible impact on the ground by walking through neighborhoods, clinics, and homes to provide essential support.
As frontline public health workers, CHWs are trusted members of the communities they serve, using their deep understanding of local needs to connect individuals with vital services. Their work goes beyond simply offering information—they build lasting relationships and promote health equity by delivering culturally competent care, offering informal counseling, advocating for social services, and empowering individuals to take control of their health. By raising awareness of their contributions, we not only honor their tireless dedication but also highlight the critical role CHWs play in improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and fostering stronger, healthier communities throughout Eastern Washington and beyond.
Thank you to our team members Kim Wilson, Jesse Hill, and Scott Cameron for helping uplift our Community Health Workers!
Introducing New Programs to Address Community Need
In 2024, the team introduced two new programs that came out of needs that were identified in partner assessments in 2023. We knew grant-writing was a gap in our community, as our community-based organizations were busy serving folx and sometimes struggled finding time to apply for grants to expand their funding sources. We also know that a lot of grant and federal funding doesn’t cover events and the small costs from them that add up quickly. We addressed these gaps with two new programs in 2024 and are excited to be continuing these efforts in 2025! Read on to see the impact these programs have had on our region.
Creating Regional Impact with Grant-Writing Stipends
In 2023, BHT conducted interviews with community-based organizations to determine what needs were most important to them moving forward. A theme that emerged was the need for reliable funding, and we know from experience securing those resources often requires a strong grant-writing strategy.
Recognizing this critical need, we launched an initiative designed to directly support organizations in their pursuit of additional funding. As part of our ongoing commitment to building capacity within the community, we allocated up to $220,000 for Grant-Writing Stipends in 2024. These stipends were available to organizations seeking technical assistance in grant writing, empowering them to work with a grant-writing consultant of their choice.
Over the course of this initiative, we were able to award stipends to 48 organizations, supporting a range of impactful community efforts. These stipends have not only helped secure vital funding but have also provided a boost to the capacity of these organizations, enabling them to expand their work and make a greater impact in their communities. This work has also supported over a dozen grant writers.
Community organizations secured over $2.7M in grant dollars because of the Grant-Writing Stipend initiative, which increased regional capacity and helped organizations thrive.
Thank you to all the members of our grant writing panel and to the grant writers for helping create more sustainable funding in our region!
Investing in Community Events with BHT Sponsorship Funds
At BHT, we work to share our commitment to our community partners every day by finding and creating funding opportunities, but what about community needs that are out of the box?
In 2023, the BHT board allocated funds for community events to elevate our community support and live out our mission and values. BHT is committed to sponsoring events and community engagement activities that promote community wellness and elevate community voices.
In 2024, we had the chance to support over 50 events and allocate over $150,000 to events in our region. You can take a look at some of the events here!
Thank you to the members of our community sponsorship panel!
We also had some Bittersweet Goodbyes...
With the wrap-up of our first Waiver (Waiver 1115) and the conclusion of some flexible COVID dollar allocations, we have had to say some bittersweet goodbyes this year. Goodbyes are never easy, but we had the opportunity to look back on these programs and celebrate the achievements with these groups and collaboratives. We consider ourselves very lucky to have been able to support these programs, and we thank everyone who contributed their time, their energies, and their lived experience to support and uplift our region.
Celebrating 7 years of Impact with the Spokane Collaborative
Members of the spokane collaborative met for their last meeting to share resources and celebrate their time together
In November, we had our final meeting of the Spokane Collaborative, as the program’s funding will be discontinued in 2025. Though change and endings are sad, we took time to celebrate the milestones and successes with both past and present collaborative members.
The Spokane Collaborative had participation from 53 organizations that worked together to address equity gaps in the region. They were a driving force for change, writing letters to policymakers, sharing opportunities for cross-collaboration, and participating in “learning shorts”, bite-sized equity actions for bigger systems change. They were notably awarded the Cross-Sector Innovation Grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In its tenure, the Spokane Collaborative allocated over $900,000 to community projects to support regional equity. BHT has been fortunate to facilitate the Spokane Collaborative for the past seven years.
Spokane Collaborative Impact by the Numbers
53 organizations represented
Enjoyed 7 years of monthly and quarterly meetings
Funded 5 organizations with $100,000 for equity projects
Delivered responsible renters education curriculum to more than 60 people
Distributed 3,000 behavioral health resource guides
Provided 1,100 bus passes for oral health visits and distributed more than 2,000 oral health kits to CHWs
Shared countless connections and meals together
We look forward to continuing to build relationships through our Community Care Hub in the future.
Thank you to Hadda Estrada, Symetria Gongyin, Sarah Bollig Dorn and all of our team members who have supported this work throughout the years!
The Behavioral Health Forum
At the end of 2024, the Behavioral Health Forum allocated the last of its funds and closed a chapter of impactful work.
Since 2021, Better Health Together has convened a regional Behavioral Health Forum (BH Forum) comprised of organizations that provide behavioral health services and institutions that educate the behavioral health workforce.
Using $1.2M set aside by the BHT Board, this self-governing group designed and funded initiatives focused on the regional behavioral health workforce. BH Forum members used participatory budgeting and decision-making processes to design and launch specific initiatives.
The initiatives fell into four categories:
· Workforce Retention & Expansion
· Training & Education
· Peers & Community Health Workers
· Emerging Opportunities
Through its efforts, the BH Forum helped build a stronger, more resilient community-based workforce, supported clinicians, and offered valuable experiences to behavioral health interns. These investments strengthened behavioral health services in eastern Washington, leaving a legacy of growth and collaboration that will continue to benefit the community for years to come.
Thank you to Hannah Klassen, Sarah Bollig Dorn, and all of our team members who have supported this work throughout the years!
So, what’s next for BHT in 2025?
Our Evolution in 2025 as Eastern Washington's Community Care Hub
Over the past ten years, we’ve invested more than $90 million dollars into our health and social care delivery systems across Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Lincoln, and Adams counties and the Reservations of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
BHT is embarking on a new journey towards greater system change in 2024/25. We have been around long enough to know healthcare is more than what happens at your doctor . It’s the housing or shelter you come home to, the access and affordability of healthy food, the community who supports you, and so much more. Our mission at BHT is to improve the health of our region. We aim to create an integrated anti-racist health system that helps match folks to the best possible care coordinator for them, and supports the growth of a network of community-based organizations, behavioral health specialists, and healthcare centers that support community needs.
We know from experience our community has unique needs that can’t be served by providing the same care and treatment plan to all without considering diverse lived experience, cultural, and language needs. The question we have been asking ourselves more and more often lately is: how do we create a system that works for people, instead of one that makes people work? Some of you may remember we employed a community care hub model during COVID-19, where we would take referrals and assign them to partners that could help find the right care. We are now expanding on this system to help create a sustainable source for referral management and support community-based organizations throughout the region.
We all share the responsibility to evolve the system of care to be accountable to everyone in our region. We are also part of a larger state-wide network of Community Care Hubs. We can’t wait to share more as we continue to build our Community Care Hub in 2025!
Just For Kicks
What’s a year without a little fun and a lot of laughter? In 2024, we not only grew as a team but also made sure to take time to celebrate each other. From welcoming fresh faces into our team to hosting memorable staff get-togethers that brought us closer, it’s been a year full of connection. And let’s not forget the excitement of settling into our brand-new office—a space that reflects our vibrant energy and forward-thinking spirit. Here’s a look back at the highlights that added that extra spark to our year!
Welcoming New Staff: Celebrating Our Growing Team in 2024
In 2024, we welcomed eight incredibly talented new staff members to our team. Their unique skills, fresh perspectives, and passion for our mission have already made a significant impact. We're excited to see how they will continue to help us grow and thrive, and we feel lucky to have them as part of our team.
Memorable Moments from Our Staff Get-Togethers
This year, our staff get-togethers were nothing short of a blast! From team-building games to inviting our new skeleton friend Carlos to the team, we made sure to have fun while strengthening the bonds that make our team so special. These moments of laughter, collaboration, and shared experiences have helped us build a culture that’s not only about hard work but also about enjoying the journey together. We’re proud of the energy and camaraderie that thrives in our workplace—and we can’t wait to keep the good times rolling in the year ahead!
New Spaces, New Beginnings
In 2024, we took "moving up" to a whole new level—literally! We packed up our things and made the leap to the third floor of the Holley Mason building. The new space offers fresh views and a renewed energy that is already sparking creativity and collaboration. We’re all loving the upgrade and can’t wait to see what great things happen and what memories are made in our new space. (And if you missed it, our new address is 157 S Howard St. Suite 300, Spokane, WA 99201)
