News from HCA's Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery

Register for all days of CLI and review the pre-travel information document

The 2026 Coalition Leadership Institute will be held in-person at Evans Event Hall at Evergreen State College from June 22 through June 24.

Registration for all CLI days is now live! Please visit the CLI Athena Forum Calendar event for the registration link.

2026 Prevention Awards of Excellence Program Now Accepting Nominations!

The 2026 Prevention Awards of Excellence are an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations for their dedication and contributions to the Prevention field.

Are you someone with lived experience ready to share your story?

The Washington State Tribal Opioid Fentanyl Taskforce is looking for those with lived experience to share their stories at the Annual Tribal Opioid Summit, and collaborative engagement throughout 2026. Your partnership and leadership is central to addressing the ongoing impacts of the opioid and fentanyl crisis in Tribal communities. For more information on how to apply, read the Dear Tribal Leader letter.

Preparing Student Assistance Professionals for Minerva 2.0!

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) of the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is excited to welcome a new group of users to the Minerva 2.0 online reporting system. Starting September 2026, Student Assistance Professionals and ESD partners providing school-based services under CPWI will transition to using Minerva 2.0 to conduct monthly reporting.

DBHR celebrates SAMHSA site visit

The SUD Prevention and MH Promotion Section is proud to have participated in a four-day programmatic site visit conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on April 20-23, 2026, reviewing SUD prevention services. The visit was an excellent opportunity to highlight the work the Section leads in the state in cooperation with Tribes, state partner agencies, universities, counties, Educational Service Districts (ESDs) and schools, communities, other entities and prevention professionals.

Prevention begins with connection; the role of third places in mental health

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we at HCA are focusing on community connection and prevention in action. Prevention in behavioral health often centers on early intervention and access to care, but it also starts much earlier, in the everyday spaces where people connect. Third places are one example. These are spaces outside of home, work, or school where people gather, build relationships, and experience a sense of belonging. Libraries, youth centers, parks, gyms, cultural gatherings, and Tribal spaces can all function as third places, offering consistent, low-barrier opportunities for connection.

2025 Healthy Youth Survey results point to steady course in Washington youth well-being  

The statewide 2025 Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) results are now available, offering a look at the health and well-being of Washington’s young people. Conducted every two years, this survey is a collaborative effort of the Washington State Health Care Authority’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), the Department of Health (DOH), the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).    

Apply for the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Committee

As part of Washington state’s Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, we’re organizing an advisory committee (AC). The RHT-AC will help prioritize projects, make policy recommendations, and play a driving role for the RHT Program.

Register for the upcoming Healthy Youth Survey results webinar

The Healthy Youth Survey Planning Committee (HYSPC) is excited to announce the 2025 results webinar on May 14 at 3-5pm* via Zoom! 


Day one tentative agenda live! 2026 Coalition Leadership Institute

The 2026 Coalition Leadership Institute will be held in-person in Evans Event Hall at Evergreen State College from June 22 through June 24.