Treatment Sales Tax Program
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​TST Advisory Committee seeking new members for 2019! Information and application available here.

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What is Treatment Sales Tax?

The Treatment Sales Tax (TST) is a local funding stream that works alongside federal and state funding such as Medicaid to meet mental health and substance use needs in Thurston County. Through reduced justice involvement, emergency room use, health care costs, and public assistance and increased earnings, TST programs save our community approximately $4 for every $1 spent. TST is a 1/10 of 1% sales tax collected in Thurston County since 2009. In 2018, this tax is expected to generate nearly $6 million in revenue. Funds are spent on a variety of services including treatment courts such as Drug Court, services at the Thurston County Correctional Facility, community programs, and programs serving youth and families.
 
 
Review the full Overview here!
Advisory Committee Agendas ＆ Minutes

Please find our Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas & Meeting Minutes here.

TST Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and fall under the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).

2017 Annual Report

​2017 Annual Report (Final).pdf

​For more information about the Treatment Sales Tax fund please contact:

Carrie Hennen | TST Program Manager
Thurston County Public Health & Social Services
412 Lilly Road NE, Olympia, WA 98502
PH 360.867.2092 | FX 360.786.5140
Email Carrie

How are TST funds spent?

How are TST funds spent?

 
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Youth and Family Services includes community and school-based behavioral health services and treatment for youth, services to youth in detention, Family Recovery Court, and services to pregnant and parenting women.
Treatment Courts include Drug Court, DUI Court, Mental Health Court, and Veteran’s Court and their associated judicial, prosecution, and defense time.   
Adult Programs includes treatment, housing, employment, re-entry, and case management services for adults with mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders in the community and/or in jail, including specialized services for Veterans. 
Administration includes oversight and monitoring of TST funds as well as staff training. 
Community Grants are proposed and awarded annually to community organizations that provide behavioral health services.
What are the goals of the Treatment Sales Tax?

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The Treatment Sales Tax program intends to:

  • ​Improve the quality of life for Thurston County residents with behavioral health needs;

  • Reduce criminal justice involvement for individuals with behavioral health needs, including jail diversion and reducing recidivism;

  • Promote collaboration, coordination, and training across funded programs: Community Programs, Behavioral Health Providers, Corrections, Treatment Courts, Housing Services, and Youth & Family Services;

How can community agencies, schools, or other jurisdictions apply for TST funding?

Every 1-2 years, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) for TST funding; an example of an RFP from a prior year can be found here.

Past grantees have included treatment providers, community agencies, school districts, and local jurisdictions. The next RFP process will be in early 2019; updates and application materials will be posted to this website. Please note that the majority of TST funding is allocated to County offices and departments through the County’s biennial budget process.

What is the Advisory Committee, and who can participate?

The TST Advisory Committee is a group of 7 volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The TST Advisory Committee’s primary role is to make non-binding recommendations to the BOCC regarding the use of TST funds. The Committee also works to identify gaps in the local behavioral health system, promote collaboration among funded programs, and review program data to support ongoing program improvement.

Who is eligible to participate?

  • Thurston County resident
  • Have no current or recent (within one year) interest in any organization receiving Treatment Sales Tax funds
  • Can commit time (see below) to serve on this committee
  • Have no personal or immediate family member commitment, investment, obligation, or substantive involvement (financial or otherwise), in any agency contracting with, submitting proposals to, or expected to submit proposals to the Treatment Sales Tax fund

What is the time commitment?

Committee members are appointed by the BOCC to staggered 2-3 years terms. In 2019, the Committee will meet approximately 6-8 times for 2-3 hours. In 2020, which is a budget development year, the Committee will meet approximately 8-10 times.

How do I become a member?

Applications for membership will be available on this website in December 2018. Or please contact Carrie Hennen, carrie.hennen@co.thurston.wa.us to be added to the list to receive an application when they become available.

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ANNOUNCEMENT October 2018: Seeking New Advisory Committee Members for 2019!

​Announcement Archives

​Treatment Sales Tax: Job Opening for Data Analyst-- click here for details!

​Press Release-- RFP for TST Community Grants (March 15, 2018)

Request for Proposals (RFP) for TST Community Grants -- Due April 18, 2018