Centering Diverse Healers in Youth Well-Being and Mental Health

Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), in collaboration with King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), has announced the "Centering Diverse Healers in Youth Well-Being and Mental Health Request for Proposal (RFP)." This grant program aims to fund creative ideas and approaches that support diverse youth mental health providers, healers, and wellness supporters, particularly those connected to LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities. The program also seeks to improve the retention of diverse providers within the youth mental health field. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of promoting public health and human services by addressing critical needs in youth mental health, with a specific focus on equity and access for underserved populations. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are diverse youth mental health providers, healers, and wellness supporters, as well as LGBTQIA and BIPOC youth in King County. The impact goals are centered on increasing access to mental health resources and trainings for these communities, improving the retention of youth-serving organizations that support youth mental health, and enhancing support for diverse providers who offer youth mental health and well-being services. The program prioritizes proposals from organizations with deep connections to BIPOC and/or LGBTQ populations in King County, emphasizing their ability to support young people from these backgrounds and to support diverse providers within these communities. The expected outcomes and measurable results include increased access to mental health resources and trainings, improved retention for youth-serving organizations, and increased support for diverse providers of youth mental health services. PHSKC and DCHS have a budgeted amount not to exceed $300,000 per award from December 2024-2027, with the anticipation of funding up to five organizations for the three-year award period. This financial commitment and the clear outcome objectives demonstrate a strategic approach to achieving tangible improvements in youth mental health services and provider support. The strategic priorities of PHSKC and DCHS, as reflected in this RFP, revolve around fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in mental health care. Their theory of change appears to be that by investing in and supporting diverse providers and organizations deeply connected to LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, they can significantly improve the well-being and mental health outcomes for youth in King County. This approach acknowledges that culturally competent and community-rooted care is essential for effective mental health interventions and for building a sustainable network of diverse healers.