Mind Uncharted Explore. Discover. Learn.
MultiCare to Open Behavioral Health Clinic in Hillyard Neighborhood
MultiCare providers plan to offer mental health services in the Hillyard neighborhood with the opening of a new behavioral health clinic this fall. The project, located at the former Hillyard library building, received $2.58 million in funding from donors, the city of Spokane, Spokane County, and other groups.
Services to be Provided
MultiCare will operate the clinic and gradually add over 20 behavioral health providers to offer individual and group outpatient therapy for youth and adults. The clinic’s virtual services will also provide help to rural clients. Majority of the clinic’s over 20 staff members are licensed mental health therapists. However, there will also be psychiatrists and psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioners who provide medication.
Long-Term Goals
MultiCare plans to encourage more graduates to become behavioral health providers by working with area universities offering career-related educational programs. Their goal is to offer walk-in services in the future. MultiCare expects the Northeast Community Center to provide referrals and serve as a resource for patients with additional needs completing the services being offered by SNAP and the Children’s Home Society of Washington. The clinic will also be open to people with all insurance types: Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial providers.
The community had identified mental health as one of their top needs in the Hillyard neighborhood. The pandemic worsened the situation, leading to a higher need for mental health services. MultiCare’s goal is to offer services for all ages, both mental health, and substance use programs, especially for adolescents.
How the funding was obtained
The Department of Commerce, city of Spokane, Spokane County, and Ballmer Group significantly contributed to the project’s funding. The 2021 MultiCare “Heart Strings for Hope” benefit concert also brought a significant amount of donations.
Clark said a goal in future years is to offer walk-in services, versus appointment-only care.
Once the clinic opens, the Northeast Community Center would provide referrals and serve as a resource for patients with other needs. The center’s agency partners include SNAP, the Children’s Home Society of Washington, the Hillyard Senior Center, Unify Community Health, and the Spokane Women, Infants, and Children program.
Providing behavioral health care next to those other services can help families.
“Easy access is the goal,” Clark said. “In the next several years, we’d like to serve over 50,000 visits a year, once fully staffed.”
