Forum to be held Jan. 7 in Vancouver
Rep. Vicki Kraft is inviting mental health experts and providers from throughout Clark County to join her Tue., Jan. 7, at Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver for a discussion on the mental health care needs in the local area and potential solutions that could address those issues.
“We have great local services to help those who are afflicted with mental illness, but many operate independently from each other or may be unaware of other nearby services that exist. With the decertification last year of Western State Hospital near Tacoma, I want to make sure Clark County is in the best position possible to serve the mental health needs in our community,” said Kraft, R-Vancouver.
“My objective in hosting this forum is to bring together providers, non-profit organizations, legislators, government officials, and all who work with the mentally ill, so that we can coalesce toward effective solutions that best serve Southwest Washington,” noted Kraft.
A presentation will be provided on Clark County’s Medicaid behavioral health capacity, followed by two panel discussions focusing on mental health priorities, needs and solutions.
“As the 2020 legislative session gets underway Jan. 13, it will be important to bring this local perspective to Olympia while the Legislature continues to grapple with how to sufficiently address the mental health issue in our state. However, I believe it’s just as important to work together as a community, without waiting for the state to act — and that’s what this forum is about — bringing the stakeholders together to discuss what we can do right now in Clark County,” added Kraft.
The Mental Health Services Forum for Clark County will be held Tue., Jan. 7, 3:30-6 p.m. at WSU Vancouver’s Dengerink Building, VDEN 110 Lecture Hall, 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver.
Mental health professionals who would like more information or have questions may contact Rep. Kraft’s 17th District Office in Vancouver at (360) 258-1466, or email: vicki.kraft@leg.wa.gov.
Information provided by Washington State House Republican Communications, houserepublicans.wa.gov
