Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
HB 1929
Brief Description: Supporting young adults following inpatient behavioral health treatment.
Sponsors: Representatives Cortes, Eslick, Ortiz-Self, Leavitt, Duerr, Ramel, Slatter, Taylor, Orwall, Ryu, Reed, Simmons, Ormsby, Fey, Callan, Peterson, Timmons, Kloba, Macri, Street, Gregerson, Doglio, Paul, Chopp, Mena, Goodman, Lekanoff, Reeves, Fosse, Pollet and Davis.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes the Post-Inpatient Housing Program for Young Adults (Program) to provide supportive transitional housing with behavioral health supports for persons ages 18 to 24, who are exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment.
  • Directs the Health Care Authority to administer the Program by providing funding to community-based organizations to operate at least two resident programs with six to ten beds each to serve Program participants for up to 90 days.
Hearing Date: 1/16/24
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:

The Health Care Authority (Authority) provides medical care services to eligible low-income state residents and their families, primarily through the Medicaid program.  Coverage for medical services is provided through fee-for-service and managed care systems.  Managed care is a prepaid, comprehensive system for delivering a complete medical benefits package that is available for eligible families, children under age 19, low-income adults, certain disabled individuals, and pregnant women.

 

In January 2017 the Authority received federal waiver approval for the Foundational Community Supports Program which provides supported employment and supported housing services to Medicaid clients.  Supported employment services are services that help individuals with barriers to employment obtain and keep a job, including employment assessments; assistance with applications, community resources, and employer outreach; and education, training, and coaching necessary to maintain employment.  Supported employment services do not pay for wages and wage enhancements.  Supported housing services are services that help individuals obtain and keep housing, including supports that assess housing needs, identify appropriate resources, and develop the independent living skills necessary to remain in stable housing. 

 

The Authority's supported housing services do not pay for rent or other room and board related costs.  Through the Apple Health and Homes program, the Department of Commerce provides housing resources and combines them with supported employment and supported housing services for Medicaid clients through the Authority.  In addition, the 2023-25 Operating Budget includes funds for the Authority to contract with an entity to provide community providers that serve unaccompanied youth and young adults with information and support related to safe housing and support services for youth exiting inpatient behavioral health facilities.
Summary of Bill:

The Post-Inpatient Housing Program for Young Adults (Program) is established within the Health Care Authority (Authority).  The purpose of the Program is to provide supportive transitional housing with behavioral health supports focused on securing long-term housing for young adults exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment.  The Program is subject to appropriated funds.

 

The Program is available for persons ages 18 to 24 who:  (1) are exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment or have exited behavioral health treatment and are engaged in a recovery plan; and (2) have not secured long-term housing.  

 

Under the Program, the Authority must provide funding to at least one community-based organization to operate residential programs with six to ten beds to serve eligible persons for up to 90 days.  At least two residential programs must be created with at least one on each side of the state.  The residential programs must engage peers with behavioral health experience.  The residential programs must create a developmentally and culturally responsive environment that values healing and recovery and supports the ongoing healing of Program participants.  The community-based organizations may choose which eligible persons to serve. 

 

The Authority must also provide flexible funding to support the immediate needs of Program participants to assist with the person's housing stability, education, or employment or to meet basic needs.  Flexible funding uses include items such as car repair or transportation assistance, rental application fees, security deposits, and short-term rental assistance.

 

The Authority must contract for behavioral health support services for Program participants, including on-site and community-based behavioral health supports, peer supports, and medication management.

 

The Authority must consult with a transition support provider during the community-based organization selection process.  A "transition support provider" is defined as a community-based organization that:  (1) provides information and support services related to safe housing and support services for youth exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment; and (2) organizes community housing providers, inpatient behavioral health discharge planners, and young persons with lived experience of behavioral health conditions or unaccompanied homelessness.  The Authority must provide funding to the transition support provider to consult with and train the residential programs, conduct return to community planning for Program participants, and contact former Program participants
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 4, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.