House panel hears bill to create statewide behavioral‑health training and technical assistance network for schools

The House Education Committee on Tuesday heard House Bill 1634, which would direct the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a coordinating hub and a statewide and regional technical‑assistance network to help public schools and school districts coordinate comprehensive behavioral‑health services for students.

The bill, introduced by Representative Milin Tai, would assemble statewide and regional partners — including educational service districts (ESDs), academic centers of excellence, and community‑based organizations — to provide needs assessments, evidence‑based program design and evaluation, crisis intervention guidance and connections to community behavioral‑health providers. OSPI would run the coordinating hub, set partner criteria and analyze data to set priorities. A fiscal note has been requested.

Megan Wargacki, counsel to the committee, summarized background included in the bill: the role of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group, the statutory requirement for school district plans to respond to student distress, and the…