RENTON, WA – On Wednesday, August 24, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) hosted Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), for a visit to Evergreen Treatment Services in Renton. Rep. Smith and Dr. Delphin-Rittmon sat down for a discussion about the nationwide substance use crisis and the steps we can take at the local, state, and federal level to address this crisis.
“We are grappling with a nationwide substance use crisis, and it is having a deep impact on families and communities here in King County. Yesterday I welcomed Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon to the Ninth District to visit Evergreen Treatment Services, an organization working to combat this crisis,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “During the visit, we learned more about their stabilization and recovery programs for people experiencing substance use disorder and we heard from providers about the need for stronger workforce development programs to make it easier for people to enter the behavioral health care workforce. Dr. Delphin-Rittmon and I then sat down for a conversation focused on the impact of the substance use crisis here in King County and how we can better support providers through SAMHSA block grant expansions and technical assistance and training. Substance use, mental and behavioral health, and homelessness are some of the biggest challenges we face in King County. Evergreen Treatment Services recognizes the interconnectedness of these crises and is working to create a continuum of care to put people on a path towards stabilization and recovery. I appreciate Dr. Delphin-Rittmon taking the time to visit the Ninth District and look forward to continuing to work with her and President Biden to expand prevention efforts, support providers, and provide equitable access to treatment to advance the health, safety, and well-being of all community members.”
Tour Participants
“We are grappling with a nationwide substance use crisis, and it is having a deep impact on families and communities here in King County. Yesterday I welcomed Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon to the Ninth District to visit Evergreen Treatment Services, an organization working to combat this crisis,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “During the visit, we learned more about their stabilization and recovery programs for people experiencing substance use disorder and we heard from providers about the need for stronger workforce development programs to make it easier for people to enter the behavioral health care workforce. Dr. Delphin-Rittmon and I then sat down for a conversation focused on the impact of the substance use crisis here in King County and how we can better support providers through SAMHSA block grant expansions and technical assistance and training. Substance use, mental and behavioral health, and homelessness are some of the biggest challenges we face in King County. Evergreen Treatment Services recognizes the interconnectedness of these crises and is working to create a continuum of care to put people on a path towards stabilization and recovery. I appreciate Dr. Delphin-Rittmon taking the time to visit the Ninth District and look forward to continuing to work with her and President Biden to expand prevention efforts, support providers, and provide equitable access to treatment to advance the health, safety, and well-being of all community members.”
Tour Participants
- Congressman Adam Smith
- Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon
- Steve Woolworth, CEO of Evergreen Treatment Services
- Becca Judy, Chief Transformation Officer at Evergreen Treatment Services
- Dr. Paul Grekin, Medical Director at Evergreen Treatment Services
- Sean Soth, Director of Health Innovation & Integration at Evergreen Treatment Services
- Cathy Perez, South King County Clinic Manager at Evergreen Treatment Services
- Shekh Ali, CEO of Valley Cities
- Richard Geiger, Chief of Inpatient and Residential Services at Valley Cities