News from HCA's Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery

2026 Community Survey Information & Documents Published

The Athena Forum CPWI Community Survey page is updated with information and documents related to the current, 2026 implementation of the survey. Files are also uploaded to the Community Library for your convenience.

Mark your calendars: CPWI Strategic Planning Training

The Athena Forum Strategic Planning Resources page is updated with 2026 information and expectations, including a Strategic Planning Training Plan with upcoming events.

Call for prevention professionals to volunteer for the 2026 Prevention Awards of Excellence review team

Each year, the Prevention Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding prevention professionals, community members, youth, and coalitions for their exemplary contributions to substance use disorder prevention and mental health promotion across Washington state. The awards are made possible by a volunteer review team, who review the current year's nominations. 

New Job Openings Posted

The Athena Forum Job Opening Announcements page has been updated with several new (non-HCA) positions in the prevention field, some within Washington State. Please note these positions are not within HCA or DBHR but we are sharing for your convenience. 

DBHR shares updated map of CPWI sites

We're pleased to share a new map of Community Prevention & Wellness Initiative (CPWI) sites across Washington, updated December 2025 with current communities served. 

Legislative session begins

The 2026 WA State legislative session is under way! This year is a “short session” meaning that it is half-way through the biennial budget approved in the 2025 session. This session is only 60-days long running from January 1, 2026 to March 12th, 2026.

A New Year's message from Sarah Mariani

I am grateful for the mentors who walk alongside our youth and help guide them towards whole health. I am grateful for the caregivers that are worried but ready to provide support. I am grateful for the coalition coordinators who navigate sticky situations in their communities and find resolutions. I am grateful for the community leaders who face budget and staffing challenges but find creative solutions.

Office of Tribal Affairs publishes Washington State Tribal Prevention System Fact Sheet

The Office of Tribal Affairs within the Washington State Health Care Authority is excited to publish the Washington State Tribal Prevention System Fact Sheet. This fact sheet provides an overview of the North Star program implemented by Tribal leaders across Washington, supported by the Office of Tribal Affairs, an approach to address the opioid crisis in Tribal communities. 

Outreach tips & Athena discussion forum

Highlighting coalition work is an important step in gaining recognition for the difference you are making. We’d like to pass along an advocacy tip from Johnny’s Ambassadors, encouraging coalitions to share educational prevention science and messaging with talk radio shows or podcasts. 


Welcome DCA, MHPP & SOR Community-Based Organization Grantees!

The Washington State Health Care Authority Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is excited to welcome Dedicated Cannabis Account (DCA), Mental Health Promotion Project (MHPP) and State Opioid Response (SOR) Community-Based Organization (CBO) grantees from the request for applications shared earlier this year.