In addition to being a skilled and respected behavioral health professional, we are seeking a visionary, with a passion for mental health, substance use disorder recovery and prevention efforts. If you are committed to utilizing evidence based and innovative approaches to address the needs of very diverse groups, this opportunity may be for you! Persons with lived experience with behavioral health systems are encouraged to apply.
All HCA employees will apply an equity lens to their work, which may include but is not limited to all analyses of core business and processes.
Division philosophy statement:
The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) values and seeks diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral to the behavioral health field. We support, embrace, and celebrate everyone’s uniqueness, promote inclusion, and commit to remove systemic barriers that affect our workforce, our providers, and the people that receive prevention, treatment, and/or recovery support services.
About the division:
DBHR is responsible for administering the publicly-funded community mental health, substance use disorder, and problem gambling service delivery systems available within the State of Washington. Division-administered programs serve children, adolescents and adults, and their family members, experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, alcohol and other substance use disorders, or at risk of developing a substance use disorder, problem gambling, or with a combination of these issues. Direct, community-based prevention, intervention, outreach and engagement, treatment and recovery support services are contracted for through Managed Care Organizations, Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations, Tribal Governments, County Governments or direct to community based service organizations. Individuals that need behavioral health treatment services typically are enrolled in Medicaid or are low-income and meeting statutory definitions for priority need. DBHR works closely with HCA divisional and statewide system partners to serve individuals effectively and efficiently.
About the position:
At the Health Care Authority, this position is the appointing authority for DBHR and reports directly to the HCA Director.
The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division Director provides executive leadership, overall direction, and strategic vision to the State of Washington’s community behavioral health system. The position works with tribal governments and a variety of stakeholders including the Governor’s office, other state agencies, federal partners, and community organizations.
This position serves and is recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) as:
- The Single State Authority (SSA) representative responsible for the administration of the State Substance Use Disorder program on behalf of the State of Washington. This includes administration of federal grants and representing the Health Care Authority in national associations; AND
- The Single State Agency (SSA) representative (Mental Health Commissioner) responsible for the administration of the State mental health program on behalf of the Health Care Authority. This includes administration of federal grants and representing the HCA in national associations.
This position is eligible to telework but is frequently required to attend in-person on-site and off-site meetings and other events, including travel within and out-of-state, to meet business need. The default assigned work location of all Health Care Authority (HCA) positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs. HCA may choose, but is not required, to support out-of-state telework on a case-by-case basis.
