ALF at Night

Building on the focus and desires from the October 2023 First Friday Breakfast, the May 2024 ALF at Night Event will pull back the curtain on the state of youth mental health in Pierce County. Many thanks to Joe LeRoy (XXIV, CEO of HopeSparks), Ashley Magnum, MSW, LISCW (Program Director for Kids Mental Health Pierce County), Jasmine Martinez (Program Manager, C.O.P.E Project, A Common Voice), Rhoda Ramirez (Clinical Supervisor, Catholic Community Services Family Behavioral Health), and Dr. Lucas McIntyre (Medical Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, MultiCare Health System) for serving as resource persons for this important conversation.

– A review of national behavior health data by the Center for Disease Control suggested that as many as 1 in 5 children and youth may experience a mental health disorder each year.

– Nearly 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable behavioral health disorder.

– Children and youth of Color, LGBTQIA+ children and youth, those living in rural areas, and children and youth with intellectual and/or physical disabilities are at greater risk of mental health concerns.

– On March 26, 2021, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation regarding the youth and children mental health crisis in Washington state.

– In 2022, Mental Health America ranked Washington state 40th in the nation for youth and mental health.

– The age of consent for treatment in Washington state is 13. Including families is critically important.

Since 1895, HopeSparks has been providing behavioral health, family services, and basic needs to children and families in Tacoma and Pierce County. HopeSparks is a recognized leader in behavioral health, early intervention, kinship care, home visiting, and parent education. Each year, thousands of children and families turn to HopeSparks for critical and life-changing support. Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County (KMHPC) was first created to identify and address needs and barriers to accessing pediatric behavioral health care. Today, KMHPC includes 800 members representing over 60 community agencies and stakeholders. Learn more at kidsmentalhealthpiercecounty.org

FREE TO ATTEND, REGISTRATION REQUIRED (below). Light food and drink will be provided. Option to donate $10 here to help cover the cost of food and drink.