YARP Frequently Asked Questions
YARP Frequently Asked Questions
Youth Access and Resource Program Guide and Frequently Asked Question
YARP FAQ.pdf
Complex Behavioral Health Needs: Individuals facing significant and persistent mental health and/or substance use challenges that impact their functioning across various life domains—such as at home, school, and within the community—often require specialized, coordinated behavioral health services. These services are essential to ensure safety and support the individual in achieving a developmentally appropriate level of functioning.
Cross-System Involvement: Individuals engaged with multiple systems, such as Child Protective Services, the Juvenile Justice System, Behavioral Health Providers, Substance Use Services, and the Developmental Disability Administration, often require coordinated care and treatment. Youth with cross-system involvement can benefit significantly from this coordination to ensure comprehensive support and effective outcomes.
GCBH-ASO: Greater Columbia Behavioral Health Administrative Services Office
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): A multidisciplinary team is a community-based group made up of behavioral health providers, advocates, leaders, educational staff, insurance providers, and others who collaborate to offer support and assistance to youth and families.
Multiple facility placements: Individuals who have resided in or received treatment at various settings, such as inpatient psychiatric facilities, residential treatment centers, substance use treatment programs, emergency department placements for psychiatric care and evaluation, or multiple foster homes, etc.
Multiple school placements: Youth who have been required to change schools or school districts due to repeated expulsions, disciplinary issues, safety concerns, or a lack of available programming, staff, or resources to address their educational, social, or emotional needs
School-Aged Youth: Youth who are participating in an educational program or are considered school-aged, typically between 5 and 18 years old. In some cases, youth outside of this age range may also be enrolled in a formal or informal educational program and can be considered school-aged. For questions about age and eligibility for YARP assistance, please contact YARP.
The Youth Access and Resource Program, YARP, is a state-funded program modeled after the Kids Mental Health Pierce County initiative and is now available statewide. Its mission is to connect school-aged youth in the Greater Columbia region with behavioral health services. To achieve this, YARP has established a Steering Committee, Multidisciplinary Teams, and Implementation Teams that work together to improve service access, address system gaps and barriers, and collaborate with providers to ensure youth and families receive the support they need. The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) convenes to develop solutions, advocate for the youth, and identify available community resources tailored to their needs.
The YARP Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) is a community-based, youth- and family-centered group consisting of community leaders, behavioral health providers, advocates, educators, and insurance representatives. This team works collaboratively to assist families and youth with complex behavioral health needs in accessing appropriate care and support. MDT meetings offer recommendations for outpatient services, care coordination, behavioral management strategies, safety planning, transition support, discharge coordination, and family engagement strategies to strengthen the youth’s support system.
The Multidisciplinary Team consists of individuals chosen by the Steering Committee for their expertise in various areas that contribute to a youth’s health and wellbeing. YARP program staff will convene and facilitate this team of dedicated professionals, advocating on behalf of the youth and family to ensure their needs are properly addressed. The goal is for the community of providers to collaborate, brainstorming creative and innovative solutions tailored to the youth’s needs, while developing a comprehensive and robust support system for both the youth and their caregivers.
YARP accepts referrals for school-aged youth residing in Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties who meet the following criteria:
- Youth in Emergency Departments awaiting placement, a higher level of care, or appropriate discharge disposition.
- Youth with complex behavioral health needs, such as high-risk behaviors, cross-system involvement, those at risk of losing placement (e.g., residential, foster home, shelter, or family home), or those who have lost placements due to behaviors or other factors.
- Youth who are not adequately served or stabilized through community outpatient services, including those with frequent Emergency Department visits, inpatient hospitalizations, or multiple placements in facilities or schools.
- Youth with other complex psychosocial issues that would benefit from a Multidisciplinary Team meeting.
The YARP team is committed to assisting families in finding appropriate behavioral health services within their community. If you have questions about YARP or are wondering whether a youth could benefit from a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting, we encourage you to reach out.
We collaborate with various agencies and organizations to ensure that youth receive the support they need. Even if an MDT meeting is not the best fit at this time, we will work with you to identify other appropriate resources. For more information or to discuss available options, please contact us. We are here to help!
The YARP team is dedicated to assisting families in accessing appropriate behavioral health services within their community. Referrals can come from youth, guardians, school staff, ER staff, community behavioral health organizations, and more.
There are no insurance requirements and no costs for referrals or Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings. However, referred youth must reside in Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Whitman, or Yakima counties. While YARP helps identify resources, any recommended services or treatments may require insurance or payment. Please note that YARP does not cover the cost of services or treatments recommended during an MDT.
If a youth resides outside these counties, we encourage you to contact the appropriate Youth Navigator Program in their area for assistance. See statewide Youth Navigator Program map at the bottom of our page for assistance in your area. https://yarp.kidsmentalhealthwa.org/
Submit a Referral Online: YARP Referral Portal
Call GCBH-ASO: 509-737-2475 to speak with a YARP team member
Email Us: yarp@gcbh.org
Release of Information (ROI)
To ensure comprehensive care coordination and provider collaboration, we request that all youth (age 13 or older) or their guardian (if under 13) sign a Release of Information (ROI) at the time of referral. This authorization allows YARP to communicate with providers and offer the most effective support.
Sign the ROI Online: ROI Form
Without a signed ROI, GCBH-ASO may be unable to share information regarding the youth or family, which may limit care coordination and other assistance. If you encounter any issues obtaining a signed ROI, please contact our YARP staff for guidance.
An MDT is not required for all youth referred to YARP. In some cases, YARP staff may provide education, information, and referrals to families without the need for an MDT. Each situation is assessed individually to determine the best course of action for supporting the youth and their family.
Meetings are scheduled for 1.5 hours and follow a structured format:
- The team will begin with introductions.
- The referent and/or family will share the youth’s strengths, interests, history, and current concerns or needs.
- The MDT will ask clarifying questions to gain a deeper understanding of the youth and family’s strengths and needs.
- The team will provide recommendations tailored to the youth’s primary concerns, with a summary provided within five business days.
The GCBH-ASO YARP staff will document the team’s recommendations and provide a recommendation letter to the referent or family as appropriate and allowed by the Release of Information (ROI). A member of the YARP team at GCBH-ASO may follow up with the referent or family to determine if there are additional needs to be addressed and an additional MDT may be scheduled as needed.
Disclaimer: The GCBH-ASO YARP Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) is a dedicated group of volunteer professionals working together to serve as a community resource for youth and families. While the MDT provides recommendations, these do not guarantee acceptance into services or provider availability, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of their affiliated agencies or organizations. Some services or recommendations may require insurance coverage or payment.