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Coalition seeks support from Gig Harbor to help treat area's mental health needs

News Tribune (Tacoma, WA)
Jun 29, 2016

June 29--Concern about mental health care is a national conversation that includes Pierce County and Gig Harbor.

To address this concern, the South Sound Behavioral Health Coalition spoke to the Gig Harbor City Council Monday night to ask for support for the future 120-bed psychiatric hospital planned to be built in Tacoma in partnership with MultiCare Health System and CHI Franciscan Health.

Bill Weyerhauser, co-chair of the coalition, told the Council that national statistics currently rate Washington as No. 48 out of 50 for mental health needs, providing only 2.8 beds for every 100,000 people.

"Our capacity does not begin to meet the need," Weyerhauser said. "We do feel that our county face a crises that has been growing over time but has been coming to a head as to the number of severely mentally ill people in our county who have nowhere to seek treatment in an acute mental health facility."

Joining Weyerhauser were Gig Harbor residents Brad Cheney, also co-chair of the coalition, and Sara Long, along with Pierce County Councilman Derek Young.

"This coalition seeks a private-public partnership because, at least to us, this seems to be a responsibility not only for the two hospitals to address, but also for the municipalities who are affected," Weyerhauser said.

Young said that the county is supportive -- but not yet committed -- to the project.

"With the effort from the coalition here, I think that brings more horsepower behind the movement," Young said.

Ingrid Gourley-Mungia, a government affairs manager for Multicare, said that the hospital will be constructed on the Allenmore campus in Tacoma, replacing an older building, with the doors of the new hospital planned to open by 2018.

"This hospital just won't be a standalone but it will be linked with other services already happening in the community," Gourley-Mungia said.

The funding so far includes $5 million from Washington state in 2015, and applications this year for $3 to $5 million grants.

Tim Thompson, of Thompson Consulting Group, which coordinates the coalition's activities and will implement government funding, reiterated the mental health crises currently faced in Pierce County and South King County.

"We are one of the worst underserved areas in the whole of the United States," Thompson said. "What this coalition has decided to do is say, 'This is a community crises that requires a community response.'"

The coalition is asking for $5 to $7 million in federal funding, along with the $5 million to date from the state, with more grants available in the coming year. Additionally, municipalities in the surrounding area were visited and asked for their financial support of the hospital.

The city of Tacoma has approved $1.5 million toward the project on their next budgeting session, and the coalition has asked for $1.75 million from Pierce County.

The coalition asked the City Council to consider $150,000, with a formal request anticipated at a later date.

"Our plea would be looking to do this over a number of years," Thompson said. "If you look at the national data ... the fact is this hospital is vitally needed in your community."

Harborview Drive sidewalk improvement project

After revisiting the Harborview Drive sidewalk improvement project, the Council voted unanimously to reject contractor bids and directed staff to redesign the project to stay further within budget.

This decision was reached after a presentation from Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm and Senior Engineer Trent Ward, who requested additional funding to meet contractor bids that were higher than anticipated, representing an upper trend in contractor costs.

This project is funded in part by a transportation grant received from the State Transportation Board in 2014.

Vacating a portion of Woodworth Avenue

The City Council voted unanimously to vacate a 33-foot-wide portion of Woodworth Avenue to property owner Michael Hall.

City Engineer Steve Misiurak said that the area and request was reviewed by city staff, which recommended the Council approve the request.

Andrea Haffly: 253-358-4155, @gateway_andrea

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(c)2016 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)

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