UW opens Center for Behavioral Health and Learning to expand statewide mental-health capacity

University of Washington President Anna Marie Cauce and Gov. Jay Inslee joined lawmakers, UW Medicine leaders and labor representatives on Thursday to open the Center for Behavioral Health and Learning at UW Medical Center Northwest in Seattle.

Cauce said the center "embodies" the universitys mission to accelerate impact for the public good and thanked bipartisan legislative leaders and the governor for supporting the project. She introduced Gov. Jay Inslee, who called the facility "a monument to hope" and highlighted state investments that helped build and operate the center.

"There is no greater, monument to hope than this facility right now," Inslee said, adding that "citizens who've contributed $244,000,000 to the operation" combined with more than "a half billion dollars" from the most recent legislative session signaled a major state commitment to behavioral health.

Former state House Speaker Frank Chopp, who sponsored the capital bill to create the project, described the center as the result of long-term teamwork and shared a personal family history that he said underscores the need for stronger treatment and housing supports. Chopp urged policymakers to build on the center by expanding Apple Healths Medicaid coverage to make housing part of medical treatment for people who are chronically homeless and have serious behavioral-health conditions, citing enacted legislation he said is already implementing that approach.

"If you are chronically homeless and you suffer from a serious medical condition, mental illness or substance use disorder, you should have a home as part of your medical treatment," Chopp said.

Sen. Manka Dhingra and Sen. John Braun emphasized the center's role in a statewide approach that combines crisis services, community care and long-term workforce development. Dr. Tim Dallet, dean of the School of Medicine and CEO of UW Medicine, said the facility will provide 150 new inpatient beds and expand specialty access via telepsychiatry to counties that lack psychiatrists; he cited a figure, provided during remarks, that 41% of Washington counties do not have a licensed psychiatrist.

"These beds will help meet the demand for long term inpatient care," Dallet said, and the center will also serve as a training site to prepare more psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and pharmacists for statewide deployment.

Cindy Hecker, CEO of UW Medical Center Northwest, thanked construction, design and labor partners and noted art commissioned through the Washington State Art Commission was integrated into the building design. Jane Hopkins, president of SEIU Healthcare 1199 Northwest, praised the facility as "a space for people in crisis to belong" and said union members will be central to delivering care.

University speakers noted construction and workforce inputs: the program had nearly 1,000,000 labor hours and involved public-private partnerships including SRG, Clark Abbott and labor partners such as SEIU Healthcare 1199 Northwest.

The formal program concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting in front of the building to mark the centers public opening.

The event did not record formal votes or policy actions; speakers highlighted next steps including implementation of Apple Health and Homes and ongoing workforce investments.