More King County residents will be able to access behavioral health care, including at clinics in Kent and Auburn, with the recent selection of Tukwila-based Sound Behavioral Health to be part of a new state program.
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) chose Sound Behavioral Health to join the state’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Pre-Certification Cohort (CCBHC) – one of only 10 community behavioral health organizations chosen statewide, according to a Jan. 6 Sound Behavioral Health press release.
“For King County residents, this selection means Sound will broaden its planning to expand access to care, regardless of insurance or ability to pay, as the organization prepares its clinics for potential participation in the model,” according to a Sound spokesperson.
Sound has 16 locations in King County, including Kent, 841 Central Ave. N., and Auburn, 4250 Auburn Way N.
Sound’s selection follows years of experience operating several of its clinics under the CCBHC model through federal grants, where it strengthened same-day access, expanded treatment options and opened new doors to community partnerships, according to the press release.
During its first two grant years, Sound saw the impact of the model firsthand at its Capitol Hill clinic in Seattle: intakes increased by 81% and the percentage of people seen within 10 days of requesting an assessment rose from 81% to 91%. These early successes have positioned Sound to move swiftly into this next phase, building a fully integrated, recovery-focused system of care that supports individuals and families throughout King County, according to the press release.
“Being selected for CCBHC pre-certification is an exciting step forward for Sound and the communities we serve,” said Katrina Egner, CEO of Sound Behavioral Health. “This model allows us to dream big – to look beyond what behavioral health care has been and imagine what it could be. It’s about rethinking how we deliver care, how we collaborate, and how we build a system that truly meets people where they are in their recovery journey.”
For nearly 60 years, Sound has welcomed more than 15,000 people each year who are navigating mental health challenges, addiction, homelessness and more, according to its website. With 700-plus dedicated team members, mobile crisis teams, and 16 locations, Sound says it meets people where they are—whether at home, in shelters, hospitals or schools.
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