We were excited to host a summit between Washington State Behavioral Health Navigators (BHN) and Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) on the UW campus last week, (Monday March 27th, 2023). The event was facilitated by Forefront School Based Programs Manager, Megan Reibel, and focused on connection, statewide BHN goals and visioning, and shared work. 

In 2019, the state legislature passed House Bill 1216, School Safety and Student Well-being, which established the BHN role in all nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs), as part of a network of Regional School Safety and Student Well-being Centers. It also mandated OSPI to provide leadership and support to the BHNs across the state, and Forefront has worked with both OSPI and the Behavioral Health Navigators since 2020, to help support the collaborative efforts of these agencies through training and development and coordinated projects related to suicide prevention (Postvention Guide, updating the Model Template, etc). Because of the impact of COVID-19, this event was one of the first where the larger group met in person. 

“This group’s professionalism and shared commitment to improving the behavioral health outcomes of our students, educators, and larger school communities is inspiring. The work is messy and complex, and we are thrilled to work alongside the Navigators and OSPI in this important work.” Megan Reibel, Forefront School Based Programs Manager 

This meeting was an opportunity to define roles, collaborate on goals, and connect with each other over the shared passion for helping young people in the school system. Participants spent the day deepening relationships, creating shared goals and priorities, and defining roles and responsibilities.

We look forward to making collaborative in-person work summits a regular event, to help the BHNs and OSPI strengthen their relationships and the supports for school districts, schools and youth across Washington.