Contact:

​Carrie Hennen, Treatment Sales Tax Program Manager, (360) 742-9707 or email at carrie.hennen@co.thurston.wa.us

OLYMPIA – Today, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve $1.2 million in Treatment Sales Tax (TST) funds over a 19-month period beginning June 1, 2022 for six community organizations to provide services in Thurston County. These awards will benefit Thurston County residents with mental health or substance use issues.

To qualify for TST funds, organizations must use evidence-based or promising practices that demonstrate consistent and effective help for people with substance abuse or mental health challenges achieve their goals. 

Programs funded include:

HeartStrides - Equine Assisted Youth Peer Support ($106,240 from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023): Funding will expand a program that provides Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EATT), recovery support, peer, and horsemanship lessons for youth experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges.

Providence Southwest WA Mobile Health Clinic ($406,727 from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023): Funding will support a Mobile Health Clinic van that will go to a variety of rotating locations in Thurston County to provide outreach to unhoused individuals and engage them in coordinated care for mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring physical health problems. 

Peer Olympia ($120,742 from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023): Funding will support peer coaching for adults in recovery for behavioral health issues with a focus on serving individuals experiencing homelessness and veterans; funds will also enhance training for peers. Virtual and in-person services will be available. 

Family Support Center of South Sound- Housing Support for Families in Treatment Courts ($298,394 from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023): Funding will provide intensive case management and housing search support paired with rental assistance to families with children enrolled in one of Thurston County’s treatment courts.

Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council- Preparation for Reentry Program (PREP) Expansion ($205,000 from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023): Expands the current PREP services (employment preparation and support services for incarcerated adults at the Thurston County Jail) to serve more legally involved individuals with behavioral health needs and to provide peer mentorship and navigation services. 

Family Education and Support Services- Parents for Parents Peer Case Management & Support ($120,000 from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023): Funding will support brief peer case management and weekly support groups to parents in recovery and/or parents with behavioral health needs to aid them in achieving mental and family well-being. 

Washington State law allows counties to collect a 1/10 of 1% sales tax to fund enhanced and expanded substance use and mental health treatment services, as well as treatment courts. Thurston County has collected Treatment Sales Tax since 2009. 

TST is an important local funding stream that works 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 treatment, TST-funded programs also reduce costs related to justice involvement, emergency room use, health care, and public assistance.

For more information about the Treatment Sales Tax visit the TST webpage.

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