Warnick-sponsored bill looks to involve families in behavioral health outcomes
The Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, southwest of Spokane, is one of three state hospitals with patients that may benefit from a new bill sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg, which will assist patients and their families in the transition to at-home care.
Washington Department of State Health Services/courtesy photo
OLYMPIA — Families of state hospital patients may have opportunities to receive training and more support under legislation moved into the Washington State House of Representatives on Saturday.
Senate Bill 5807 would establish a Bureau of Family Experience in each state hospital by Jan. 1, 2024, to foster better engagements between facilities and a patient’s support system.
Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, said the cost of SB 5807 pales in comparison to what families have gone through as their loved ones face behavioral health concerns. She hopes this legislation will form a catalyst between families and hospitals to provide patients better care.
“There’s a missing middle,” Warnick said. “We have great caregivers in this state …, but we sometimes leave our family members out.”
Washington is home to three state hospitals; the Western and Eastern state hospitals and the Child Study and Treatment Center. SB 5807 would cost the state around $2 million initially and then $3 million each biennium moving forward to maintain operation of the state’s mental health facilities.
The bureaus at each hospital would provide support and training to patients’ family members and caregivers, which includes the Psychosis REACH program and a trained family bridger as developed by the University of Washington.
Studies have shown that family interventions have significant impact on a patient's care, said Sarah Kopelovich, University of Washington professor, during a work session in January. Relapse rates go down around 40% and rehospitalizations become less common.
Kopelovich said Psychosis REACH focuses on psychoeducation, caregiver self-care and cognitive behavioral skills training.
“Just as we scale up family members to manage a chronic physical health condition, we can scale up family members to engage in more therapeutic communication to help their loved ones,” she said.
University of Washington professor Maria Monroe-DeVita testified in support of SB 5807 during a Senate Behavioral Health Subcommittee public hearing in January. She said the bill will help teach family members about their loved ones’ perspectives and how to interact better with them.
The University of Washington would work with the Department of Social and Health Services to support the state hospitals and formulate a training curriculum for family peer specialists.
Warnick said patients often struggle when released from state hospitals without their families’ involvement. The at-home support element of a patient’s care is critical to their continued success.
The Senate voted unanimously to move the legislation onto the House during its floor session on Saturday.
Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, urged legislators to support SB 5807 as it continues to move through the legislature.