TouchStone receives $900,000 for treatment facility

TouchStone Behavioral Health has received $900,000 in capital funding for acquisition, renovation and/or construction of a crisis stabilization facility from the Washington’s Behavioral Health Facilities capital program, according to a Washington Department of Commerce press release. 

TouchStone health director Erika Creydt said the Blaine clinic will use the funds to acquire a facility for intensive youth outpatient treatment, crisis stabilization and triage in Whatcom County.

“We’re so grateful of the department of commerce helping partner with us to increase services in the community,” Creydt said. “It means so much to us to be able to expand these services.”

The department of commerce announced December 29 that it was awarding $20.4 million in state grants to community-based facilities serving people experiencing mental health crises. Four other facilities in Benton, King and Skagit counties received grants ranging up to $5.8 million. TouchStone received the smallest grant. 

TouchStone Behavioral Health is a mental health clinic, located at 288 Martin Street, that offers a wide range of counseling services.

The department of commerce and its partners at the state’s department of health, department of social and health services and health care authority conducted a competitive process to award the grants. 

The funds are for construction, renovation, acquisition and/or equipment costs associated with establishing the facilities. According to the press release, projects must maintain the facility for at least 15 years.