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The Quinault Indian Nation has received a $7.5 million grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce for the second phase of the Quinault Wellness Center Expansion Project in Aberdeen.
The grant, announced Monday morning, is part of $48.5 million for 17 projects the department awarded. According to the Commerce Department, the agency received requests totaling $263 million.
“Here in Washington, we believe that everyone should have access to the quality health care they need,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “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.”
According to the Commerce Department, the projects will add 106 treatment beds and service capacity for more than 3,000 outpatients annually.
“We are ecstatic that the Quinault Wellness Center will be receiving funding for the expansion of our outpatient services," Jason Halstead, COO of Quinault Wellness Center, said in a statement. “This support is especially crucial as Grays Harbor County has recently been identified as having the highest rate of opioid-related overdose deaths per capita in the state.”
According to Halstead, the grant will enable the Quinault Nation to complete the second phase of the Wellness Center project, which includes expanding dental, behavioral health and medical services. The project will also expand the center’s administrative space and patient parking.
“On behalf of the Quinault Wellness Center, we offer our sincerest gratitude to the legislators, state leaders, and the Department of Commerce for making this expansion possible,” he said.
According to the Commerce Department, the grants are part of Gov. Jay Inslee’s five-year plan to modernize and transform the state’s mental health system.
Under the grant program, recipients must maintain the beds or facility for the proposed purpose for at least 10 years.
