Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) delivered a $481K ceremonial check to the City of Monroe to expand mental health and dispatch services across the Sky Valley region. DelBene secured the funds in the FY23 federal funding law.

The project, led by the Cities of Monroe and Sultan in partnership with Volunteers of America Western Washington, is funding a dedicated social worker/mental and behavioral health provider to collaborate with first responders. This partnership will deliver frontline mental health services, crisis support, and resource navigation to community members in need of mental health support, including to those experiencing homelessness. This will establish a bridge for residents and their families, ensuring they receive essential care and support.

“This investment will play a pivotal role in expanding mental health services in the Skykomish Valley by bringing in trained and experienced experts to support residents facing mental health crises and substance use disorders,” said DelBene. “I’m pleased to have secured this federal funding that will make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.”

“I am thankful for the support we received from Congresswoman DelBene to start and operate our Mobile Mental Health Unit,” said Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas. “I am also thankful for the partnership we have formed with the Volunteers of America. Together, we are helping people in need by supporting more positive outcomes than traditional response alone could provide.”

“Here at Volunteers of America Western Washington we are grateful for the continued support and shared vision of Congresswoman DelBene’s office, Snohomish County, and our partners with the cities of Monroe and Sultan. Through the generous support of this coalition, we have been able to create a model for meeting the urgent behavioral health needs of the people in the Skykomish Valley within their own communities. We look forward to continued growth of this program as we meet the growing needs of the individuals within the communities we serve,” said Brandon Foister, Clinical Director, Behavioral Health, Volunteers of America Western Washington.

DelBene secured $19.4 million for 15 community projects across Washington’s 1^st Congressional District in the FY23 federal funding package. Projects came directly from non-profit, city, county, Tribal, and state entities, and all funding secured was done in collaboration with project sponsors.