Generation REACH
Child health always includes mental health.
Locally and nationally, we are grappling with an escalating youth mental health crisis. One out of every five kids has a mental health disorder that significantly affects their life, yet currently only about half of those kids get treatment. Research shows treatment works, but far too few children and families get appropriate, timely access to care.
This is the healthcare challenge of our lifetime. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the trajectory for children, youth and families.
Seattle Children’s has made a long-term commitment to mental and behavioral health as an inextricable part of child health. This organizational commitment combines generous philanthropic support with a multiyear commitment through our strategic plan.
Our vision is that every child will have access to the support and resources they need to succeed and to be happy, safe and well within their family, school and community.
With your help, we can make that vision a reality. Learn about the Generation REACH areas of focus and what we have accomplished so far — and how you can join the coalition to transform mental and behavioral health care for all youth and families.
Now is the time for a once-in-a-generation effort to shift the paradigm of youth mental health care. As trusted experts in pediatric health, Seattle Children’s has the plan, the people and the passion to lead the charge. There is no time to waste for youth who are suffering now — and for children yet to come — because all kids deserve to live their healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible.
— Dr. Jeff Ojemann, senior vice president and chief physician executive
Research and Innovation
Accelerating the pace of progress and understanding.
- The Norcliffe Foundation Center for Integrative Brain Research is leveraging clinical and policy research to develop new and more effective ways to identify root causes and prevent and treat mental health problems.
- Seattle Children’s Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development is at the forefront of developing therapies to improve outcomes.
- During the COVID pandemic we made — and have sustained — innovative pivots to telehealth for outpatient care, crisis care, urgent care and intensive outpatient care.
- We are developing and studying stepped care models to increase access to treatment equitably.
Ecosystem and Health Equity
Right care, right place, right time. Connecting families to linguistically and culturally appropriate care.
- Since 2023, the Biobehavioral Inpatient Program has provided specialized inpatient care for children and youth who are profoundly impacted by autism and/or intellectual/developmental disability and have severe behaviors. It is the only program of its kind on the West Coast.
- Launched in 2021, the Child and Adolescent Latino Mental Health Assessment and Treatment Clinic (CALMA) provides culturally responsive mental health care in Spanish and English.
- After successful state-funded pilots in 2021, we expanded our multiweek intensive outpatient programs to care for youth with specific diagnostic challenges and created a partial hospitalization program for adolescents who need full-day treatment. With coalition partners, we successfully advocated to make Washington state Medicaid coverage permanent as of 2024.
- In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, we opened a Disruptive Behavior Crisis Clinic to provide crisis services for children with challenging or unsafe behaviors and their families/caregivers.
- We’ve integrated behavioral health into multiple primary care practices through the Seattle Children’s Care Network.
“The most effective mental and behavioral health services reach people where they are: in the language they speak, using culturally meaningful approaches. That’s why we’re committed to developing a skilled mental and behavioral health workforce that reflects the youth and families we serve.”
— Laura Knapp, vice president, Mental and Behavioral Health Services
Access
Responding to community need for specialized services.
- In late 2024, with generous donor support, we launched the region’s first Psychiatric Urgent Care Clinic for children and youth. It offers same-day in-person and virtual care for youth experiencing a mental health crisis who do not need the care of an emergency department. In its first six months, the clinic has had over 1,000 visits, with half of those patients coming from outside King County and 45% under age 13.
- Since April 2023 the Complex Care Clinic has provided outpatient care for youth with multiple diagnoses who struggle to access care in the community and are at high risk of inpatient readmission.
“Despite efforts to increase access to care for patients with mental health conditions through the passage of mental health parity laws at the state and federal levels, many patients and families still struggle to access much needed evidence-based treatment due to systemic barriers and workforce shortage in our region. With Generation REACH, Seattle Children’s will be able to build and offer programs that deliver best-in-class care to patients while training a workforce that can deliver treatment options that are currently limited or non-existent in many communities.”
— Dr. Ray Hsiao, senior medical director, Mental and Behavioral Health Services
Capital
Expanding our regional footprint to reach even more youth and families in need of specialty mental and behavioral health care.
- In 2022, the Autism Center and outpatient Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine services moved into a newly remodeled, combined location at Seattle Children’s Magnuson. The space is intentionally designed for youth with autism and/or behavioral health needs and was made possible by the visionary support of our community, particularly the Sunderland Foundation and the Norcliffe Foundation.
- Thanks to generous donors, in March 2025 we opened a new, dedicated space in our Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit to support the unique therapeutic needs of children profoundly impacted by autism or intellectual disability.
- Opening in late 2025 and enabled by federal funding: We are expanding Seattle Children’s South Clinic in Federal Way, building out dedicated space for outpatient behavioral health and an intensive outpatient program.
“Co-locating our autism and mental and behavioral health services under one roof, in a space that was specifically designed for the needs of our patients, creates synergies between mental and brain health experts from across Seattle Children’s and will lead to new ideas and models of care that will benefit kids in our region and beyond.”
— Dr. Mendy Minjarez, director, Applied Behavior Analysis Early Intervention Program, Seattle Children’s Autism Center
Healthy Families and Communities
Increasing community capacity for effective prevention and early intervention.
- With more than 400,000 views each year, our Mental Health Resource hub supports parents and caregivers with easy-to-use-and-share tools to support their child’s mental wellness.
- We offer primary care providers and families a variety of free First Approach Skills Training video classes, including topics like disruptive behaviors and anxiety.
- In 2024, we launched an innovative “Ask the Question” PSA video with versions in both English and Spanish to support asking youth if they are thinking about suicide. Related web content helps families with next steps.
- We created free, video-based classes to help families navigate the mental health care system in Washington state.
- Since 2019, we’ve been connecting families with mental and behavioral health services in their communities through the Washington Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens. This free service is funded by Washington state as part of Seattle Children’s Hospital Partnership Access Line (PAL) Program.
This was our first experience with the psychiatric urgent care at Children's, and I couldn't have been more impressed. From the moment we walked in the door, we were cared for in the most professional and compassionate way. This was the first time in a long time that [my daughter] felt safe with an adult other than me, and she opened up to each provider, which she has never done before. After our appointment, we got in the car and she said, 'I feel optimistic.' [My daughter] was screaming for help, and your team answered the call. I know it's a long road, but [my daughter’s] optimism is contagious. Our visit on Monday set her on a better path and gave me more resources to help and support her along the way.
— Amy B., Redmond
Join the Generation REACH Coalition
Ways To Get Involved
- Learn about mental health and share resources with others.
- Donate to support mental health care.
Now more than ever, generous support from our community is essential to build and expand programs, increase access and accelerate research into root causes. Together, we can change the paradigm of mental health care to reduce future crises and support mental wellness for kids in our region and beyond.
That’s why the generosity of donors like the Sunderland Foundation, the Norcliffe Foundation, the Anu and Satya Nadella family and the Seattle Children’s Guild Association is enabling us to begin the work of transforming youth mental health care for all children and families. Join us.
If you are interested in learning more about how your donation can support Generation REACH, please contact Jessica Frederick, director of development at Seattle Children’s Foundation, by email or at 206-884-4248.