Vancouver nonprofit Akin receives $1.2 million from Department of Commerce for early childhood mental health treatment services

The Washington State Department of Commerce announced Monday it has awarded $1.2 million to nonprofit Akin to increase infant and early childhood mental health outpatient treatment services in Clark County.

The grant was one of 17, totaling $48.5 million, awarded to projects supporting people with behavioral health conditions in Washington. Additionally, the funds will help establish community-based treatment programs for those transitioning out of Western State Hospital and Eastern State Hospital.

Two Washington family service organizations — Childhaven and Children’s Home Society of Washington — merged earlier this year to form Akin. It’s headquartered in Seattle with offices in Vancouver.

“This project allows us to increase our capacity to serve young children and their families. We anticipate serving approximately 50 more families (550 total) by year two post-renovation in our outpatient behavioral health program,” Akin Chief Development Officer Jason Keen said. “At Akin, developmentally appropriate therapy interventions are crucial because they align with an individual’s growth and maturation stage. Tailoring interventions to a child’s developmental level ensures that the therapy is effective and engaging and respects their unique needs and abilities.”

Akin offers about 30 programs across the state that provide resources for children and families. These programs include prenatal care, adult care services, counseling and school-based support.

“Here in Washington, we believe that everyone should have access to the quality health care they need,” Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong said in a news release. “These state investments in behavioral health facilities will increase capacity for communities to serve people close to home, in familiar surroundings — an important component for successful outcomes.”

Approximately 1 in 5 young children has a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder, according to the Washington State Health Care Authority.

The investments in these projects across Washington will increase the state’s behavioral health capabilities with 106 additional treatment beds, service capacity for more than 3,000 outpatients annually and two additional spaces, the news release said.

All of the grants support Gov. Jay Inslee’s five-year plan to transform Washington’s mental health system, with the goal of ending civil patient placements at the state’s large hospitals in favor of smaller community-based facilities.