The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
Donnelly: Daybreak facility is irreplaceable in saving lives
By Ann Donnelly
Published: March 5, 2023, 6:01am
Share:
Housed in a modern, welcoming facility in Brush Prairie, Daybreak Youth Services is unique in our region. It accepts Medicare and Medicaid payments, essential in most cases, and provides multimonth in-patient and outpatient treatment of boys for substance abuse and behavioral conditions.
As I observed during a January visit, Daybreak’s patients are dauntingly complex: trauma-scarred boys whose brains are still developing. Daybreak’s approach addresses the childhood trauma at the root of much substance abuse with an expansive curriculum treating the body, mind and soul. Patients continue their school studies on site. According to testimonials from former patients, Daybreak has saved many lives.
Daybreak should serve as a model for the state’s needs, yet Daybreak has itself experienced turmoil, mainly from 2018 to 2022. Fortunately, dedicated board members persevered. In 2019, an experienced health care executive, Thomas Russell, became CEO. The new team emphasized operational excellence, financial sustainability and mission.
In recent months, Daybreak’s board and new management team hosted a series of evening tours of the facility for Clark County elected officials, business and community leaders, and law enforcement. Visitors met the staff, learned about the curriculum, and observed the vulnerable teenagers enjoying their off hours together.
Attending on Jan. 24, I found the accredited classrooms and indoor basketball court impressive and the staff inspiring. With its capacity of up to 60 in-patients, Daybreak makes a strong case that it has turned the corner on its past trouble. Without Daybreak, some of the boys would doubtless relapse and become homeless.
To understand Daybreak’s challenges — some solved, others remaining — we draw upon its history.
In 1978, a young veterinarian and farmer near Spokane, Bill Yakely, was inspired to “help the children.” His pastor and neighbors joined him, and they settled on providing help for teenagers caught in substance abuse co-occurring with mental conditions, as the greatest need. Daybreak became reality.
More than 40 years later, Daybreak remains a rare haven for youths 14 to 17, with girls served in the Spokane in-patient center and boys in Brush Prairie. Treatment is evidence-based, intensely personalized and holistic to address the scars of trauma through in-patient and outpatient care.
In 2018, the complexity of Daybreak’s operations — youthful patients, staffing challenges, lax policies and procedures by management — led to a traumatic series of episodes that threatened the unique facility with closure. The Department of Health alleged unsafe and unreported altercations and sexual assaults at the Brush Prairie facility.
Sheriff’s personnel investigated and legal actions ensued over discordant requirements of state and federal governments on patient record disclosures. Daybreak asserts that federal requirements require withholding patient records, while the DOH asserts the state requires access.
State Sen. Annette Cleveland has made admirable efforts, including proposing legislation (SB 5271), aimed at fostering a productive relationship between DOH and Daybreak.
Michael Lynch (Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund) has studied Daybreak’s business planning: “Costs have to cover the soup to nuts wrap-around of issues that are needed to return these kids to society … including paying (employees) a living wage … I question whether the state is not the problem with administrators that are primarily focused on cutting costs instead of primarily focused on the outcomes.
“These kids have serious problems — and if their lives are not turned around it’s almost a given that they will become a societal drain of money and effort. This is why I applaud their efforts and want to do anything and everything to help them succeed if possible.”
Lynch is correct. And, from now on, the Department of Health and Daybreak must be partners, not adversaries. Failure is not an option.
