OLYMPIA -- A report released this month by the Mental Health Transformation Project and the Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training shows 13 of the 39 counties in Washington state currently have adopted a local sales tax to fund mental health and chemical dependency services, indicating increased interest for local support of mental health programs statewide.

Known as the "1/10th of one-percent sales tax" the measure (E2SSB-5763) passed into law in 2005 to support new initiatives that address mental health challenges, including homelessness, inpatient hospitalization, substance abuse services and treatment options in lieu of jail and emergency rooms.

"Clearly counties adopting the law value preserving the social safety net and are promoting a vision of recovery and resiliency for local citizens in need of mental health support," says Ron Jemelka, Mental Health Transformation Project director. He believes more counties may adopt the tax as state and federal cuts continue to strain local budgets.

Thirteen counties -- Clallam, Clark, Island, Jefferson, King, Okanogan, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom -- passed the tax prior to 2009, with advocates in six additional counties -- Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Stevens, Grays Harbor, and Lewis -- working to adopt the law. The remaining 20 counties are mostly located in Eastern Washington, where service populations are lower, tax revenues more limited and conservative values discourage tax increases.

According to the report author and Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training Research Associate Anne Strode, some of those counties are expressing new interest in the law, especially in light of recent legislative efforts. Senate Bill 5433, if signed into law, would allow counties to broaden the use of the tax revenue to support existing mental health programs up until 2015.

She's encouraged that many of the counties are using funds for diversion and to reach people with behavioral health needs early. "The counties reported that the tax gives them more flexibility to create services specific to the needs of local consumers, expanding upon restricted state or federal programs."

The first eight counties to pass the tax raised more than $45 million for mental health and substance abuse services in 2008. The five counties to more recently pass the tax expect annual revenues of approximately $18 million in 2009.

County ruling bodies -- commissions and councils -- adopted the tax in all but one of the 13 counties. Initially, Spokane County put it on the ballot, where voters approved it. Commissioners passed the measure a second time. Strong leadership, wide stakeholder support, good data on needs and cost benefits were key features for counties passing the tax. Also important were well-thought-out expenditure plans that gave county officials confidence of community support for initiating a new service tax.

Editor's Note: Washington's Mental Health Transformation Project operates out of the Office of the Governor and receives grant support from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMSHA). Washington is one of nine states to receive a SAMSHA transformation grant. One of the key goals of the state-wide effort, led by Gov. Chris Gregoire, is to engage consumers, family members and partners in a deep transformation effort to improve the state's mental health services and delivery system, ultimately serving as a model for the nation. The Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training is based at Washington State University and focuses on Eastern Washington issues. A counterpart WIMHRT operates at the University of Washington. For a copy of the report update on Implementing E2SSB-5763 in Washington Counties, contact Rena Shawver at 360-902-7696, or you can log onto www.mhtransformation.wa.gov for a copy.