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The Washington State Mental Health Summit

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Exciting work is being done all over our region, but the work is only as effective as it's reach. Much of the promising work in the world of Mental Health is siloed geographically or organizationally and it is part of the mission of Chad's Legacy Project to help create a new network and action-based plan for collaboration and execution to maximize the potential of all work, current and future, being done in our state and beyond. The first formal event on October 5th, 2017 and continues today, with the most recent event held on May 13th, 2025.​​

For a detailed look at past and future events, go to www.wamhsummit.org

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Advancement of Mental Health Education Schools

Learn all bout our efforts at www.mentalhealthinstruction.org

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Broad Mental Health First Aid Implementation in Washington State 

The CLP goal is to create awareness and availability of this training to the same level as CPR training, providing easy access to peer and family support individuals and the general public interested in being ready to effectively help an individual in crisis.  The CLP mission beginning in 2019 was to expand this success beyond King County and into all parts of Washington State. The MHFA Material Support Fund CLP fund will help provide manuals and cover virtual seat fee costs to instructors in rural areas outside King County where the cost of materials is overly burdensome. 

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Expansion of the Certified Peer Specialist Workforce 

We recognize the critical importance of introducing a member of the provider team into the chain of care early in the process that can effectively develop a relationship of trust with a new patient/client. Certified Peer Specialists with lived experience provide that bridge to trust, continued care and positive outcomes. This workforce can also help reduce the need for limited and more expensive services when a patient/client fully accepts help at onset of symptoms. CLP has created a fund by which those seeking to become a Certified Peer Specialist can apply for a scholarship grant when affordability of attending the Washington Healthcare Authority training is of issue. 

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Fostering Utilization and Engagement of Mental Health Advance Directives

In 2003, extensive work was done in Washington State to develop a document and laws providing a vehicle of self-determination for care during mental health crisis moments. Despite the best of intentions, the document and law became underutilized and subsequently forgotten. As part of a renewed effort to provide a tool for trust building between patient/client and provider, new work began in late 2020 to address challenges in implementation and provide a path to widespread utilization. The projected benefit is reduced forced hospitalization, increased early care and reduced pressure on the healthcare system, as well as a more positive care path experience.  Chad's Legacy Project coordinated new communication between leaders in this arena from Washington, California (the Saks Institute, USC Gould School of Law) and Texas (Texas RioGrande Legal Aid) to develop a system by which this key document of self-determination can become a well-utilized tool for those that suffer from serious mental illnesses.

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The work led by Chad's Legacy Project has now moved to a legislative implementation workgroup as part of the 2024 bill 2ssb 5660, and  led by the Washington State Healthcare Authority, Healthcare Management Associates and Chad's Legacy Project for systems implementation. This new workgroup is expected to launch pilots in fall, 2025 and develop recommendations for the 2026 legislative session.

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