CONTACT: Renae Miller, Public Information Supervisor, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, (360) 463-0362 or renae.miller@co.thurston.wa.us; Dr. Jen Freiheit, Director, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Announces 2026 – 2027 Behavioral Health Community Grant Awardees
Grants will provide critical mental health and substance abuse services

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved $750,000 in Behavioral Health Community Grant funds over a two-year period (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027) for five community organizations to provide behavioral health and recovery support services in Thurston County. These awards will benefit Thurston County residents with mental health and/or substance use needs. 

To qualify for Behavioral Health Community Grant funds, organizations must implement evidence‑based or promising practices that demonstrate effective support for individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders in achieving their treatment and recovery goals.

Projects funded include:

Interfaith Works Mental Health Support Services ($152,146 in 2026 and $156,531 in 2027): Funding will support peer-led case management and mental health services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Catholic Community Services Thurston Adult Behavioral Health ($144,633 in 2026 and $140,248 in 2027): Funding will support peer-led case management and mental health services to individuals experiencing homelessness and are living with complex behavioral health needs.

HeartStrides Therapeutic Horsemanship Equine Assisted Peer Support ($50,120 in 2026 and 2027): Funding will support therapeutic equine-assisted peer support to participants in Thurston County DUI/Drug Court, Family Recovery Court, and THRIVE Court. 

Dispute Resolution Center Restorative Justice Dialogues ($8,101 in 2026 and 2027): Funding will support mediated dialogues for justice-involved youth and adults.

Thurston-Mason National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ending the Silence ($20,000 in 2026 and 2027): Funding will support mental health education and treatment coordination in middle and high schools.

These projects shall be funded through a combination of Treatment Sales Tax (TST) funds as designated under RCW 82.14.460, and/or Property Tax Levy Funds as designated under RCW 71.20.110 (also referred to as Public Health & Social Services Millage Funds). These funding sources are important local funding streams that work alongside federal and state funding, such as Medicaid, to meet mental health and substance use needs in Thurston County. By expanding access to behavioral health services, funded programs also aim to reduce costs related to justice involvement, emergency room use, health care, and public assistance.

For more information about Treatment Sales Tax, visit: www.thurstoncountywa.gov/tst or contact the Behavioral Health Fund Program at TST@co.thurston.wa.us