In the News

Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force Releases Independent System Assessment

National Experts Examine Assets, Gaps, and Opportunities Across Spokane County’s Behavioral Health and Justice Systems

January 8, 2025

Spokane, Wash.-- The Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force today released an independent, comprehensive assessment of Spokane County’s behavioral health, homelessness, crisis response, and justice systems. Prepared by The Leifman Group, a nationally recognized research and consulting firm, the report provides a systemwide analysis of the community’s existing assets, gaps, and opportunities and while offering a practical roadmap to support coordinated community action and impact.

The assessment was informed by extensive cross-sector participation through interviews, focus groups, system mapping, document review, and the Spokane Behavioral Health and Justice Summit, reflecting input from partners across Spokane County’s public, nonprofit, private, and community sectors.

“This assessment reflects the time, expertise, and commitment of people from across Spokane County who showed up, shared their perspectives, and stayed engaged throughout this process,” said Alisha Benson, CEO, Greater Spokane Inc. “Courts, first responders, service providers, housing partners, business leaders, advocates, and individuals with lived experience all contributed to building a shared understanding of our system’s strengths and challenges. Their willingness to work together and remain at the table is essential to creating the coordinated, sustainable change this community needs.”

The purpose of the assessment was to establish a shared understanding of how Spokane’s public safety and health systems currently function and intersect at key points such as crisis response, diversion, treatment, housing, and reentry. By examining the system as a whole, the report identifies where existing strengths can be better aligned, where gaps limit effectiveness, and where targeted improvements can produce meaningful and sustained impact.

Key findings from the assessment include:

• The Spokane region has significant assets across sectors, including committed leadership, experienced providers, and strong community partnerships that can be better aligned through coordination and shared infrastructure.

• Crisis response systems would benefit from improved integration among 911, 988, first responders, and behavioral health providers, as well as expanded stabilization options.

• Housing availability, particularly supportive and transitional housing, is a foundational factor influencing outcomes across behavioral health, homelessness, and the justice system.

• Workforce capacity challenges affect crisis response, treatment access, and reentry services across the system.

• Improved data sharing and common performance measures are essential to support coordination, transparency, and informed decision-making.

“As a community member who is deeply invested in better outcomes for folks impacted by our carceral systems, I appreciate the depth of strategies in this report that are focused on improving people’s lives through practices we know work rather than just locking folks up,” said Stanley Harewood, Task Force Member.

The report outlines a phased roadmap for action, including near-term steps that can be implemented using existing resources, mid-term strategies to strengthen capacity and coordination, and longer-term investments needed to modernize the systems. The recommendations are designed to support practical implementation and sustained progress over time.

“This assessment gives our community a shared understanding and a clear sense of what is possible,” said Alicia Barbieri, Vice President of Goodale & Barbieri, Downtown Spokane Partnership Board Chair and Task Force member. “It lays out a practical framework the Task Force will use to move from analysis to action, advancing near-term priorities and long-term strategies that can improve outcomes and facilities while strengthening our community over time.”

The full report is available at safehealthyspokane.org/asset-report

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Community Coalition Announces Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force Initiative

September 30, 2025

(Spokane, WA) – Today, leadership from Downtown Spokane Partnership, Greater Spokane Incorporated, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and Waters Meet Foundation (formally Empire Health Foundation) announced formation of the Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force. This Task Force represents a true public/private partnership bringing a diverse set of perspectives and expertise to bear on critical safety and health issues in our community.

Spokane faces an unprecedented drug and mental health crisis that is overwhelming our community’s safety and health resources. This crisis impacts everyone who lives, works and visits Spokane. Only a community led effort with support from elected officials can address these challenges to make Spokane Safe and Healthy.

The Task Force’s goal is to develop a regional vision and an actionable and prioritized plan that addresses the interconnected challenges of mental health, criminal justice, emergency response, and public safety. Areas of focus will include expanding intervention programs, modernizing facilities, coordinating investments, and recommending policy and funding solutions—all with a commitment to accountability, transparency, inclusivity, measurable outcomes, and broad community engagement.

The 35 members of the Task Force represent:

  • Behavioral health and public health experts

  • Community and business representatives

  • Housing

  • Individuals with lived experience with the justice system, behavioral health challenges, and homelessness

  • Judicial system representatives (Judges, Prosecutors, Public Defenders)

  • Law enforcement officials (Sheriff’s Office, Police Departments, Law & Justice/Jail Operations)

  • Nonprofit, philanthropic, service provider and advocacy leaders

  • Public finance

  • Workforce and labor representatives

  • Emergency medical response (Fire Departments, EMS, Health Care System/Hospitals)

Starting in October, the Task Force will meet monthly, review existing infrastructure that supports better health and safety in our region, and hear testimony from the public, local stakeholders, and national experts, including Judge Steven Leifman, a recognized leader in criminal justice and behavioral health reform. Based on this input, it will recommend a comprehensive action plan including prioritized recommendations for future strategies and investments across the county. The action plan will be submitted to Spokane County Commissioners, Spokane City Council, Spokane Valley City Council and other local jurisdictions by late Spring 2026 for consideration and implementation.

The first Task Force meeting will be October 2nd. All meetings will be recorded and available for viewing and public comment on the Task Force website.

For Task Force information and updates visit www.safeandhealthyspokane.org

“Across our diverse perspectives, we’ve discovered common ground: a deep commitment to a healthier, safer Spokane for all. The Task Force brings together voices of wisdom and lived experience to help shape that future, and now is the moment to act. There’s no better time than now to work together for the future of Spokane,” stated Emilie Cameron, President & CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership.

“This Task Force represents our community uniting to create a regional vision that tackles the interconnected challenges of mental health, criminal justice, emergency response, and public safety. By strengthening coordination across systems, identifying gaps and building upon the work already underway, we can build a safer, healthier Spokane for everyone,” said Zeke Smith, CEO Waters Meet Foundation.

“The challenges we are facing in Spokane are not unique to our region, however the solutions require our leaders and systems to come together. There are great people and organizations working hard every day. The Task Force creates the opportunity to build a table that brings this diverse expertise and leadership together. The urgency for even deeper public-private collaboration and outcomes has never been higher,” said Alisha Benson, CEO Greater Spokane Inc.

The Task Force is being funded through a public-private partnership led by Downtown Spokane Partnership, Greater Spokane Inc., Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Waters Meet Foundation.

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