[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6169981,"mediaKeyId","5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7","parentId",5401560,"title","King County audit finds gaps in jail behavioral health medication access and release supplies","audioSeconds",884,"startMs",574000,"endMs",1458000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7&start=574&end=1458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7/thumbnail_574000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169981/Whatcom-County/Washington/King-County-audit-finds-gaps-in-jail-behavioral-health-medication-access-and-release-supplies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169981-8b6b876d6f980fdff12f9b096a930c58/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921255&Signature=mQq2pwiJX4fFztQPcq2iwF2hgnKWVWCkqQ4Dkm0GqaOOxw8qG1tjgrSR7kFoUbx6kZhY68r7Sovnjsk5~oODr3bc2nvXQAG5ge7akzUMYNFKQZszW4rVIw00xTBqmNK4Z~ZiH3Tc1RdWKkjeW-gw205ystc~p-7vSbF5~aHowiLqgvC7sFE2JQur2tWiswBuxCqAidfaK61y5zzSLO6J1gRj5hZWoF3ISYqLD-BR6rKi3VA-rdauBgW9vonMnReDYr-qO1KEM7voosQj16TBmH6cDut8L64xB7IQooD-KCEuNjo2aburgmmTPTV3qg99J9LZ5lL--NHJX3xTU92iKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Whatcom County, WA","date","2025-07-15T20:11:46Z","article","On July 15, auditors from the King County Auditor’s Office presented findings from an audit of behavioral health medication practices at King County’s downtown jail to the Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force behavioral health committee.

Basil Hariri of the King County Auditor’s Office summarized the audit’s primary finding: “We generally found that jail health services treats patients with acute symptoms quickly within 24 hours, but those with less obvious symptoms can wait a month or more, and are often released before seeing a provider.” He said most behavioral-health medication orders are placed within two days of booking and most doses are administered within 24 hours of ordering, but some medications required a psychiatric clinic appointment and those appointments often occur after release.

Auditor Elise Garvey described two other core findings: medication changes or discontinuations can cause negative side effects and communication about those changes is sometimes limited, and jail health provided a medication supply at release to fewer than 20 percent of patients prescribed behavioral-health medications in 2023. “Given the current wait times to see a community provider in the area, [a seven-day supply policy] is not always sufficient,” Garvey said, noting that patients and advocates reported many people were unaware they could request medications at release.

The auditors noted operational complications specific to jail health: medication verification requires pharmacy contacts or access to electronic medical records (Epic), correctional staffing shortages can delay escorted appointments, and nurses use paper administration logs that complicate analysis of actual medication receipt. The audit identified racial disparities in medication-order timeliness and recommended jail health review causes and address inequities; Hariri summarized that “black folks received medication in a less timely manner” in the analysis covered by the report.

The auditors made 12 recommendations to improve access, transparency, and monitoring. Key suggestions presented to the committee included developing a documented plan to reduce psychiatric clinic wait times for patients in general population housing, revising prescribing guidelines with risk assessments and stakeholder input, improving communications to patients (including those with limited literacy), expanding pathways to provide medication at release without relying on proactive patient requests, and transitioning from paper administration logs to an electronic medication administration system to enable analysis.

Committee members asked whether jail health could provide longer release supplies and whether the audit analyzed post-release outcomes or recidivism; auditors said release-supply decisions reflect risk assessments and some program exceptions exist, but jail health lacks robust capacity to track patients after release and the audit did not analyze recidivism. Auditors emphasized that some long clinic wait times are driven by short jail stays and by the need to prioritize higher-acuity patients.

The audit cites standards from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and uses King County and state data to provide regional context. The auditors recommended follow-up work and said jail health agreed with all 12 recommendations.

Ending: The committee thanked the auditors and agreed to consider selected audit recommendations in local comparisons and in diversion/reentry discussions; staff said they would follow up about potential local applications of the audit’s recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","IPRTF - Behavioral Health Committee - July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On July 15, auditors from the King County Auditor’s Office presented findings showing that jail health services treat acute behavioral-health symptoms quickly but often take a month or more to reach patients with less-visible needs; few patients receive medication supplies at release and some medication changes occur without prior patient consultation.","taxTitle","Whatcom County, Washington","taxId",2976,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169986,"Whatcom County EMS: one-day overdose spikes prompt closer review; Narcan credited with saving lives",177,85000,262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7&start=85&end=262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7/thumbnail_85000.jpg","/articles/6169986/Whatcom-County/Washington/Whatcom-County-EMS-one-day-overdose-spikes-prompt-closer-review-Narcan-credited-with-saving-lives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169986-44fde9c7f0b41e4802feef9e783af084/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921255&Signature=CSBSwCZZ-Tzar2cmHOijl2LMtzGM5eQo7GkFKI8i2~qQuJRUwFKCTho8Wec0buhD4Aer-5QPCBkN09b~edd-1DzcZNaIGNE2g8G84azfhW0y9IGt87SYekxLEbhZHzLrjH-Do6am3-aRKJt0NCtYMvRfr30VdrSrG0G5twD871~0u06uQ1UmLCl09YPyVpmHkVP00c~ZdCYEeynyrsYdmF6oqv3CiBGbskKa4rV7e~jrf2JUxr4V9EvXzEAa-T3swA7p6CuXyNrCH-mjlu-m3CwGf2grAlDoFZYa3CeHA-K-ijqXBTrcrH2aR8Izc4-90JHFir5SqvILj3Zk6C1gkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 15, Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services presented updated overdose surveillance data to the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force behavioral health committee, reporting a cluster of overdoses on July 12 and a small number of additional incidents over the next two days that have prompted local review.

The presentation, given by Mike Hillig of Whatcom County EMS, said the county saw a sudden “spike in a given day” that may reflect a batch of dangerous drugs, non-opioid overdoses such as methamphetamine or alcohol, or random clustering. “I just find it interesting that we have this sudden spike in in a given day, but then the next two days, it’s only 1 or 0,” Hillig said.

The county’s monthly overdose counts have been roughly steady over the past four to five months, Hillig said, generally in the 130–190 range, and roughly comparable to 2022 year-to-date totals. Hillig pointed committee members to statewide comparisons produced by the Washington State Department of Health, saying Whatcom County’s age-adjusted overdose rate sits above the state adjusted rate (34.6 per 100,000 on the slide Hillig cited).

Hillig emphasized the continuing role of pre-EMS naloxone distribution: “Prior to [EMS] medications distributed … 61 percent of the people survived their overdose prior to EMS getting on scene.” He told the committee that the county has “saturated the county with Narcan” and that community distribution is “absolutely saving lives.” Hillig also cited emergency-department visit data showing that non-opioid substances, including alcohol and stimulants, account for a meaningful share of overdose visits.

Hillig recommended committee members review the state Department of Health’s epidemiology slides and offered to circulate the state presentation and the King County monthly overdose surveillance report for regional context; members requested a link be sent to staff so they could review the materials.

The presentation prompted committee questions about whether the same locations were involved in the clusters and whether toxicology will clarify the substances. Hillig said the county sheriff and medical examiner were checking for correlations.

The committee did not take formal action on the data; members asked staff to circulate the state slides and regional reports for further review.

Looking ahead, Hillig suggested the committee consider a quarterly state-level briefing from the DOH epidemiology team to place local trends in a statewide context.

Ending: Committee members requested the presentation materials be distributed by staff and signaled interest in monitoring whether the short clusters reflect localized bad batches of drugs or other causes.","On July 15, Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services presented updated overdose surveillance data to the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force behavioral health committee, reporting a cluster of overdoses on July 12 and a small number of additional incidents over the next two days that have prompted local review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169968,"IPRTF approves data workgroup recommendation to fund a county position for performance measurement",1090,4155000,5245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7&start=4155&end=5245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7/thumbnail_4155000.jpg","/articles/6169968/Whatcom-County/Washington/IPRTF-approves-data-workgroup-recommendation-to-fund-a-county-position-for-performance-measurement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169968-d224f52ca3a4897021c5538056f8ddd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921255&Signature=Q93eViTF3ha9zUPLH5rdVJxZGExHeRUNoWJGnAH2t4f76-kUew1UhGTI9Memy-EUH~BFRhvApavDyZm4hzUJkaFbc9CnIkXJ7Ry4iAx-4IY9hm03kg7i4xpvi4mldwjlXVcHD5ig8CgG3MkpmUrUK-dzE~0QEZyY~r7GYu1luem-UIw7J9XDppSTr3sI~CKrRH2Q4uL28Yi4FB8L0h9wc0E4Z4hxnnUkwGI1FckzUW6Y1I32a-05zXVdb8IIvWcJfWM6kA5co6w5fYmMaJcT~Rm9AAulzm9FYrTFOR8YHVY6Z2RzUsRB2ggwaTTpTxCCQ9nmOJ9yaSGhdhE6qmbqWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the July 15 meeting, the committee considered recommendations from the data workgroup that synthesized VillageReach’s evaluation framework. The data group recommended, as its primary near-term action, that Whatcom County establish and fund a dedicated position to lead implementation of the measurement and evaluation plan and to coordinate cross-system data integration.

Dean and Bertie, representing the data subgroup, described the need for a funded project manager because data collection and cross-agency coordination exceed current staff capacity. As Bertie summarized, the legal and justice committee’s review raised concerns that “in their individual departments, there was not a penny, a 10 minutes of staff time to, share with any data project,” and the recommendation therefore called for county-funded capacity rather than expecting participating agencies to absorb the work.

A committee member moved to approve recommendation number 1 (establish and fund the position); another committee member seconded the motion. The committee voted by roll call: eight members voted yes; none opposed. The committee chair declared the motion carried.

The committee asked staff and the executive’s office to treat the recommendation as a formal advisory request to county leadership and to work on a budget and scope for the proposed position and supporting resources.

Ending: Committee members tasked staff to forward the approved recommendation to the county executive with a proposed scope and budget and to begin identifying near-term measures that could be reported while larger integration work proceeds.","The behavioral health committee approved a data workgroup recommendation to ask the county to create and fund a dedicated position to implement the VillageReach evaluation and measurement plan; the motion passed 8–0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169973,"JPOP reports jail survey and ongoing planning work; behavioral health and housing insecurities highlighted",324,3007000,3331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7&start=3007&end=3331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/6169973/Whatcom-County/Washington/JPOP-reports-jail-survey-and-ongoing-planning-work-behavioral-health-and-housing-insecurities-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169973-6d8bed40fef61767ba29083effa94ab2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921255&Signature=SHBNaLk9Cy~0WmY75adGBvpUnS5I46JNbGWxrfML-xk7~fT9TnTwgUDOhcZdFuX4aWQw1Vtua3UrR8d7qa~-tcG1kaipPUaKnSweCGZ4DXlSwKVfi0-TJph58e6PEog5RQTIZBH2UG9AqQqeem60ZdcCX7OhI8mFisbuvOiHge8R-WbB~BiNXU9zAziJ~Mre0Ddmba6RRyKw5OlSMOxSG9oEKYvUYzBuz0T1kMO82i6DRm~DsZtDAyFCwQhg6WXpd0OouvQqiLQa~TFq-hPkYIvTDCvpT6LyGZsA6VDjR~kOjOiZQd3Gx62IF7insNv~~kNiHSpD-IgF1E-weEQm5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Detective Thompson provided the committee with an update on the Jail Planning and Oversight Project (JPOP) on July 15, reporting completion of a local jail survey and an implementation evaluation as part of ongoing oversight.

Thompson said a facility survey report (89 pages) documented that behavioral-health issues and housing insecurity are prevalent among people in the jail, many of whom cycle through the system. The survey highlighted the recidivism challenge and the impacts of incarceration on education, employment and housing stability. Thompson said the survey and an external performance-measurement plan provide a local baseline to guide future design and service decisions.

Thompson and other speakers said JPOP is coordinating with county owner’s representatives and consultants on design elements for a new facility, including spaces for therapeutic services, group meeting areas and increased access to natural light — features lacking in the current facility. Thompson also described outreach and communication work to improve how the project shares plans and gathers public input.

Committee members discussed overlap between subcommittees (behavioral health, reentry/diversion, data) and requested clearer delineation of roles and communication channels to avoid duplication of effort. Thompson asked committee members what tasks JPOP could take on to support behavioral health committee goals and to avoid overlap; members suggested better distribution of the jail survey report and periodic progress updates.

Ending: Staff agreed to distribute the jail survey report to committee members and to coordinate clearer communication about roles and deliverables among JPOP, the task force and subcommittees.","The Jail Planning and Oversight (JPOP) update noted an 89-page local jail survey report identifying behavioral health needs and housing insecurity among people booked into jail, and described implementation planning for reentry, therapeutic interventions, and design elements for a future facility.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169978,"City and state funds secure Alternate Response Team operations; county adds staff with BHASO support",155,2792000,2947000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7&start=2792&end=2947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5401560-91e99cb2e1cb29f9a2d5fcce037caee7/thumbnail_2792000.jpg","/articles/6169978/Whatcom-County/Washington/City-and-state-funds-secure-Alternate-Response-Team-operations-county-adds-staff-with-BHASO-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169978-00424cb25750d9acec894f75b560ffda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921255&Signature=A2zFZziO46R3BTpMB~OB9LlD~z-yQ280AHxs-f5cIyJnqV-rTGw6CBDqHq9v-SZj5RNBQ4B2ypQhIZj4JE1nBDwhsCMwiJkT1qbwdXPM5BPSSWiiKJe0CbQJwTSDQHaChXSlaQAS7E0MFC6AOTT1e11Cg5p4Mik03vzXr-CkZru3s9COFiByK6WVUnkGn-f0~x1pJWMJvRMiKZDgB-zAKsWuRTeETLaufS4v~DpAdD0gaurOrGhgWyIlLGhJTCSOz~DUxEmRHSDSKZeTmIq1YniR9oFnB4mlGyOhDMFgqZcz0IZeN9fo-NJ9AoFxjSMBXikHVSatkoULJx-UHy5Akg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On July 15, the committee received an operations and funding update on the Alternate Response Team (ART). Dan Hamill reported that the city council approved a $375,000 allocation for ART covering the next 18 months.

Melora, ART program staff, described current operations and funding: the team has five staff and one supervisor, provides services Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and includes an embedded staff member at Whatcom 9-1-1. “We are 1 of 2 alternative response teams in the state,” Melora said, noting Seattle is the other program. She said the total current cost of ART is more than $1 million per year, and the program’s revenue mix includes city and county contributions, nearly $600,000 per year in two-year legislative funding, and Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BHASO) funds that will support one additional staff position.

Melora said the city and county contributions, paired with legislative support, mean the program will maintain current services and can post and recruit for a sixth staff person; the additional hire will be used to evaluate how to expand hours. Committee members had no substantive questions about the allocation.

Ending: ART leaders said the program’s multi-year and multi-source funding provides near-term stability and will allow modest staffing expansion pending hiring.","Bellingham and Whatcom County update: city council approved $375,000 over 18 months for the Alternate Response Team (ART); the program remains funded from multiple sources including near-$600,000-per-year state legislative funding and BHASO support to add one staff member.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

King County audit finds gaps in jail behavioral health medication access and release supplies

Whatcom County EMS: one-day overdose spikes prompt closer review; Narcan credited with saving lives

IPRTF approves data workgroup recommendation to fund a county position for performance measurement

JPOP reports jail survey and ongoing planning work; behavioral health and housing insecurities highlighted

City and state funds secure Alternate Response Team operations; county adds staff with BHASO support