Youth Access and Resource Program (YARP) Charter
YARP Charter.pdf
Background: Amid ongoing behavioral health needs among youth—particularly those with disabilities—and significant workforce shortages affecting acute care facilities and emergency departments, the Health Care Authority (HCA), Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County (KMHPC), and Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) have partnered to implement regional Youth Navigator Teams statewide. The Youth Navigator Program improves access to and coordination of behavioral health services for school-aged youth, with priority given to those requiring intensive support or seeking behavioral health care in emergency departments. In 2022, Greater Columbia Behavioral Health–ASO established the Youth Access and Resource Program (YARP) as the designated Youth Navigation program for our region. The program was created with the direction of our Steering Committee, whose continued involvement is critical to sustaining and advancing YARP. Together, we work to identify challenges, address systemic gaps, and acknowledge successes as the program grows to serve increasing numbers of youth and families across our nine-county region.
Our Mission: To establish and strengthen collaborative communication and service coordination, and to facilitate multidisciplinary teams that improve access to and coordination of services for school-aged youth with complex behavioral health needs.
Our Vision: We believe our communities are deeply invested in supporting the behavioral health needs of youth. Our goal is to build on this commitment by developing a diverse coalition of community partners who are motivated to identify service gaps and advance creative solutions, ensuring a responsive and well-coordinated system of care for youth and their families.
Our Values: We believe in treating all individuals with dignity, respect, and compassion. We are committed to providing culturally responsive, strength-based services that honor client voice and choice. Our work is dedicated to building a youth and family system of care that reflects these values.
Steering Committee: The Steering Committee will be responsible for operationalizing our vision and bringing it to life within our communities. Comprised of key stakeholders from multiple youth-serving systems, the YARP Steering Committee will identify actionable strategies, set measurable goals, and promote community education and advocacy on behalf of youth and their families.
Implementation Teams: As needed, we will engage sub-groups of committed partners who share the mission, vision, and values of the Youth Access and Resource Program to move forward priority projects identified by the Steering Committee. These teams will help ensure continued progress in increasing access to community resources, strengthening stabilization support for youth and families, and advancing education and advocacy efforts.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) will include individuals selected by the Steering Committee for their expertise in areas that influence a youth’s health and well-being. Staff from Greater Columbia Behavioral Health’s YARP program will convene and facilitate the MDT, which will collaborate to address the needs of youth with complex behavioral health challenges. Within our region, six MDTs are available to support youth and families. These geographically based teams are formed from regional partners and are situated in Benton/Franklin, Columbia/Walla Walla, Kittitas, Whitman, Asotin/Garfield, and Yakima.
Program Roles Defined:
The Program Administrator is responsible for overseeing the Youth Navigator Program, facilitating Steering Committee and MDT meetings, and compiling and submitting all required data.
The Care Coordinator facilitates care coordination meetings and promotes collaboration and communication among the systems involved with each youth and family.
Youth Navigators function as the primary contacts for youth, families, and community providers. They support navigation of services and ensure timely connection to appropriate resources, programs, and supports.
Together, the YARP team provides advocacy, education, and resource support to youth, families, and community members. The team also participates in community outreach and educational events whenever possible.
YARP Contact Information:
yarp@gcbh.org or 509-737-2475