A Systems Modeling Effort: A Conversational Resource to Explore System Dynamics in Support of Washington Thriving’s Early Implementation
Washington Thriving recognizes that multiple interconnected systems collectively affect young people’s behavioral health and well-being across our state. To help make sense of that complexity, in 2025 Washington Thriving brought together a small team of experts from across child- and young adult- serving systems to map how those systems connect and to identify where change could have the greatest impact. This effort was led by Systems Dynamics expert Chris Soderquist and under the steer of the Washington Thriving Advisory Group.
The resulting conversational tool is a first attempt at a working model. It can be used to explore and discuss how the systems around young people, from before birth through early adulthood, interact to shape their behavioral health in Washington. The tool was developed using the combination of inputs from the cross-systems modeling team, peer reviewed research, and an AI-powered research tool (Perplexity AI) which was used to fill gaps where traditional data were not available.
The tool models how different types of interventions and system conditions work together to affect youth behavioral health over time. It looks 20 years into the future (2025–2045) to help users think through how changes made today might play out across different populations and developmental stages, from early childhood through young adulthood.
Users can adjust key inputs including:
Helping young people who are already struggling:
Conventional Resources — the traditional behavioral health workforce
Unconventional Resources — school-based support, peer support, and other innovative approaches
System Conditions — factors like cost, insurance barriers, and health literacy
Addressing root causes before problems develop:
Fairness in Systems Design — reducing structural inequities
Vital Conditions — local economy, education, housing, and transportation
Belonging & Civic Muscle — social connection and community power
By adjusting these inputs, users can explore how different combinations of investment and change across systems might shift outcomes for young people in Washington over time. For more information about how to use the tool, see the guided walkthrough here.
This version is a starting point that reflects the best available data and cross-system input at the time of development. There is potential to evolve the model through strengthening the underlying data, deepening cross-system conversations, and/or zooming in on a particular area of the model to develop a more detailed picture.
As Washington Thriving moves into implementation, this tool could help groups from different parts of the system align on shared strategies, talk through system-level goals, and figure out where investments will make the greatest impact.
A System of Care reflects the interaction and intersection of multiple collaborative efforts working towards the same goal of improved care for a population. Stay tuned as Washington Thriving explores tools and insights like these as Washington works towards strengthening its Behavioral Health System of Care for young people in our state.