Launching Survey Series for Feedback on the Draft Content (Under Development) of the Strategic Plan (Survey 1 Now Open for Feedback!)
Washington Thriving is interested in your feedback on the developing content of the Prenatal-through-age-25 Strategic Plan. The planned survey series will include (subject to change):
Survey 1: Initial Survey (current): May 15 - 31, 2025
Survey 2: In-Depth Recommendations Area 1: June 1 - 15, 2025
Survey 3: In-Depth Recommendations Area 2: June 16 - 30, 2025
Survey 4: In-Depth Recommendations Area 3: July 1 - 15, 2025
Survey 5: Final Integration Survey: July 16 - 31, 2025
Get Started on Survey 1: The High Level Goals of the Prenatal-through-age-25 Strategic Plan
The link to the survey follows the contextual information provided below. The estimated time to complete the survey is 10-15 minutes.
Thank you for participating in this survey about Washington's Prenatal-through-Age-25 Behavioral Health Strategic Plan (P-25 Strategic Plan). The P-25 Strategic Plan is currently under development. Your feedback will help shape the final recommendations submitted to Washington’s Legislature by November 1, 2025.
This initial survey focuses on gathering feedback on the overall strategic framework and high-level goals of the Strategic Plan under development.
Before You Start
Before you answer the questions, please read the information below. This explains what Washington Thriving is thinking about doing and why. You can look back at this information while you answer the survey questions.
Washington Thriving is working on a plan to make Washington State’s Behavioral Health system work better for pregnant people, infants, kids, teens, and young adults (P-25) and their caregivers and families – allowing them access what they need when they need it and to thrive. This includes the ways in which the system:
Is truly guided by those it serves
Makes getting help straightforward and dignified
Adapts to each person’s unique situation
Ensures fairness and cultural safety for all
Uses information to grow smarter over time
Builds well-being before problems develop
Strengthens natural support networks
Builds widespread awareness and literacy
Components work together seamlessly
Ensures the right help is available to everyone
The Strategic Plan – currently in development - talks about three (3) important and connected goals – or “strategic imperatives” - to shift from how things work today to achieving the lasting change Washingtonians want to see in the behavioral health system that serves Washington’s young people. If the plan succeeds in these key areas, it will create lasting positive change for young people and their families across the state.
The Strategic Plan delivered by November 2025 will speak to specific strategic recommendations within each of these 3 areas. Future surveys will go into greater detail in each area and its recommendations (see above schedule). This initial survey focuses on reactions to the overall framework and goals.
Goal 1: Strengthening system infrastructure: building a strong foundation
This part is about creating and/or reinforcing the basic building blocks that make the whole system work. It's like making sure a house has a good foundation, electricity, and plumbing.
The emerging recommendations in these areas focus on:
Having enough trained counselors, therapists, and other helpers with the right skills in the right places (a diverse, well-trained, thriving behavioral health workforce)
Making sure services and supports have enough money to keep running and reach everyone who needs them (finance mechanisms and payment models)
Creating clearer leadership, accountability, and coordination so everyone knows who's responsible for what (governance and coordination)
Making sure different actors share information with each other and have good data to understand what’s working and what isn’t (integrated data and collective learning)
Other factors like supportive policy, shared resources, and more that make sure everything works together well (enablers)
Goal 2: Expanding comprehensive offerings: making sure the right help is available
This part is about making sure everyone can get the type of help they need, when they need it. From expecting parents to 25-year-olds, everyone should have access to services and supports that fit them and their needs.
The emerging recommendations in these areas focus on:
Having services and supports that match different ages and stages of growing up and focusing on giving extra support during important life changes (targeting support at developmental milestones of greatest impact)
Creating a connected network of help around each young person and their caregivers/family (seamless ecosystem of care coordination, information & navigation, and family advocacy and support)
Creating services and supports that respect different cultures and backgrounds (culturally and linguistically attuned care)
Offering different levels of help depending on what someone needs (tiered service coordination) and filling the biggest gaps in existing services and supports (comprehensive set of offerings)
Goal 3: Embedding core values within practice: making sure the guiding principles become day-to-day practice
This part is about how the system provides support and making sure it aligns with important values like respect, inclusion, and cultural awareness.
The emerging recommendations in these areas focus on:
Making sure services treat everyone with respect and dignity
Recognizing that many people have experienced difficult or traumatic events that affect how they feel, think, and respond to care; and that services should create safe environments, avoid re-traumatizing people, build trust, and empower individuals in their own healing journey
Creating services that understand different cultures and backgrounds
Building on people’s strengths, not just focusing on problems
Centering young people and families in decisions about their care
Creating meaningful partnerships in learning and decision making
How to Use This Information
The survey includes specific questions about your thoughts on this content and whether you agree with this direction. Please share your thoughts!
Your ideas will help shape the final plan. You can complete the survey until May 31.
Link to survey - get started now! (Estimated 10-15 minutes to complete)
Thanks for helping build a better Behavioral Health system for Washington's young people!
Questions? Contact Washington Thriving at info@washingtonthriving.org.