Important Update: Impacts to Partnership Access Line, First Approach Skills Training and Mental Health Referral Services
September 4, 2025
During the 2025 Washington State Legislative session, Seattle Children’s requested $2.2 million in additional funding to sustain Partnership Access Line (PAL) and Mental Health Referral Services (MHRS). While $244,000 was appropriated by the Legislature, the subsequent WA Health Care Authority (HCA) cuts eliminated half a million dollars a year from both those statewide programs as well as First Approach Skills Training (FAST).
The state-level funding cuts include:
- 50% reduction in FAST program funding
- 16% reduction in PAL program funding
- 10% reduction in MHRS funding
These reductions took effect as of July 1, 2025, with the start of the new state fiscal year. While we are actively working with the state Health Care Authority to renew the contract, the current funding gap has required us to make some difficult decisions that will impact available resources for providers.
What is Changing?
With fewer resources to support these critical services, we anticipate there will be fewer FAST trainings offered, PAL will have shortened hours, and there will be longer wait times for MHRS referrals.
Our Ongoing Commitment
While these changes are notable, Seattle Children’s remains committed to supporting community providers and families. We are actively working with legislators and advocacy partners to address and reverse funding cuts, while continuing to advocate for sustainable, long-term solutions.
Once the new contract is in place, we will share additional updates with our community providers and partners. Together, we will continue working to ensure access to mental health care for our community members, patients, and families.
For more information:
- Visit the FAST Program page for resources and a library of training videos for behavioral health providers.
- Review the Mental Health Referral Services page for information about this program and how to access the service.
- Stay up to date with current information about the Seattle Children’s Washington Partnership Access Line.