Daybreak provided stabilizing resources for young people with severe mental health and substance use conditions. However, both the Brush Prairie and Spokane facilities closed in June 2023 after the Washington Department of Health revoked the nonprofit's license. The department said staff at both facilities have not cooperated with an investigation into multiple allegations of misconduct by staff members toward teenage patients since March 2022.
The nonprofit continues to fight closure in court.
The facility's closure created a gap in residential treatment options for children across the state.
“That was a huge loss,” McClintock said. “There were a lot of kids there and it was the only place in the area to go unless you went to Oregon.”
McClintock and Republican Rep. Greg Cheney, both of the 18th District, helped secure funding for the new center.
Approximately $15 million of the funding will be used to purchase the building, $1 million for construction and infrastructure, and the remainder for staffing, McClintock said.
The goal is to have the facility open by the end of summer, she said.
“This is a huge win, not just for Southwest Washington, but for the entire state,” McClintock said.
The recovery center is a step in the right direction, said Kim Schneiderman, executive director of the National Alliance for Mental Health of Southwest Washington.
“This is important because we don't want young people dealing with these issues miles away from their families,” Schneiderman said.
Still, she encouraged continued conversation and education in the community about the prevalence of mental health issues and substance use among children.
“It's not going to go away. Sticking your head in the sand and pretending it doesn't exist isn't going to make it go away. It's not going to protect your loved ones,” Schneiderman said. Ta.
Washington ranks 31st among states for providing access to mental health care, according to a Forbes Advisor study. Approximately 50 percent of young people in Washington state who suffered from life-threatening depression in the past year did not receive mental health services.
According to the state Department of Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24 in Washington state.
McClintock said recovery centers are so important because children shouldn't be treated in the same place as adults. Children need to be surrounded by other children and health care providers who understand youth mental health and substance use issues, she says.
“Securing their place is critical to their recovery,” McClintock said. “Adding 54 beds for youth struggling with substance abuse and behavioral health issues is a game-changer for Clark County.”
