Psychologists serve as one of the first lines of defense in identifying triggers and developing behavioral support plans to assist in violence reduction. Increased violence at the hospital can result when the forensic population receives services from a psychologist only when referred. Currently, there are seven psychologist positions to support 11 wards. To meet the needs of each ward and increase safety at the hospital, funding is provided for four additional psychologist positions and one Director of Psychology position. (General Fund - State)

The existing telecommunications system at Western State Hospital and Eastern State Hospital are outdated and failing, and replacement parts are no longer manufactured for the existing hardware. Funding is provided to continue replacing the telecommunications system at the state hospitals and fund dedicated project management and IT staff. (General Fund - State)

A tribal liaison position is funded to support the requirements of chapter 43.376 RCW and DSHS Administrative Policy No 07.01. The tribal liaison position will represent the two state psychiatric hospitals, statewide forensic services and the Special Commitment Center with the 29 recognized tribes in Washington state. (General Fund - State)

Under current law, there is a scheduled reduction in the funding expected through the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) grant program. This reduction was originally scheduled to go into effect several years ago and has been delayed several times. It is assumed that the reduction will continue to be delayed by the federal government, reducing the need for state funds for the operation of Eastern State Hospital. (General Fund - Cash, General Fund - Local CRC Oregon, General Fund - Medicaid Federal, other funds)

To increase safety at Western State Hospital, funding is provided to open a permanent recruitment and hiring center supported by 15 FTEs. The center will be used to immediately fill vacant funded direct care positions and maintain a rate of hiring commensurate with the rate of attrition on an ongoing basis. (General Fund - State)

This funding is provided to train direct care staff on the day and night shifts at Western State Hospital in Advanced Crisis Intervention Training. Funding is provided to increase ACIT trainers by 5 FTEs for the immediate effort to train all direct care staff and then maintain biennial refreshers on an ongoing basis. (General Fund - State)

New employee orientation (NEO) trainings are increased from once monthly to twice monthly. Funding is provided for 10 additional trainers to accommodate the increase in NEO trainings and quicker onboarding of new staff. (General Fund - State)

Funding is provided for a community-based forensic psychiatry consultation team to offer medication and behavioral health treatment to underserved jails. (General Fund - State)

To increase patient and staff safety, direct care staffing at Western State Hospital is increased by 66 FTEs to reach the staffing levels recommended in the Washington state staffing model. (General Fund - State)

One-time funding is provided to maintain current information technology service levels and avoid adverse impacts to clients. (General Fund - Local CRC Oregon, General Fund - Medicaid Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)

For eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members, this item provides an increase of 1.5 percent, up to a maximum of $22 per month. (General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State)