Last month, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) hosted its annual Prevention Summit in-person for the first time since 2019. With over 600 people in attendance, including nearly 170 youth, 360 adults, and 80 virtual attendees, the event was an amazing success.

Together, we learned about a broad range of prevention topics, connected with others in the prevention field, and recognized those that made significant contributions to advancing substance use disorder prevention and mental health promotion in Washington State. We are leading prevention together!

Thank you for joining us and helping make this the best Summit yet! We hope you left feeling inspired and empowered to continue the amazing work you are doing in your communities to create a healthier Washington.

Congratulations once again to the 2023 Prevention Awards of Excellence recipients – Mary Segawa, Leanne Reid, Laura Griner Hill, Eliel Galicia, Audrey Curtis, Samantha Stormont, Danielle Watkins, Michelle Dower, Blanca Hernandez, Sara Bumgardner, and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB)!

This event wouldn’t have been possible without our wonderful sponsors – the Washington State Department of Health, WSLCB, HCA/DBHR State Problem Gambling Program, and Safe RX; as well as our exhibitors – Rede Group, National Alliance on Mental Illness Washington, Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council, University of Washington Forefront Suicide Prevention, Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, Washington State Department of Commerce, and Washington State University. We also want to extend our gratitude to the various speakers and presenters including our emcee, De’Marco Fomby, as well as the multi-agency Prevention Summit Planning Committee. Thank you all for your support and willingness to share your expertise with the broader prevention field!

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Washington State Prevention Summit! Interested in joining the Planning Committee for next year’s event? Please email Isaac Derline.