- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 12, 2026
Contact: Blair Gaston, Director of Marketing & Communications blair@washingtonrecoveryalliance.org
Congressionally Directed Spending Champion Senator Patty Murray Invests in Statewide Behavioral Health Recovery
Washington State — A $1.5 million federal investment has been secured to strengthen Washington State’s recovery infrastructure through Congressionally Directed Spending made possible by Senator Patty Murray, a long-standing champion for behavioral health and recovery-focused solutions.
The funding will support the Washington Recovery Alliance’s efforts to build a sustainable, community-driven recovery infrastructure across all 39 counties. The initiative will strengthen regional collaboration, expand peer-led leadership, and improve access to recovery supports, including peer services, recovery-friendly workplaces, housing resources, and culturally responsive care.
Washington continues to face serious behavioral health challenges, with rural communities disproportionately impacted and every county experiencing a mental health provider shortage. This investment prioritizes locally led solutions that reflect the distinct needs and strengths of communities across the state.
Through this funding, the Washington Recovery Alliance will support regional recovery coalitions and community hubs, strengthen coordination among local partners, and expand access to recovery resources statewide. These efforts are designed to reduce fragmentation in the recovery system and ensure individuals and families can access meaningful support regardless of where they live.
This investment arrives at a pivotal moment as the Washington Recovery Alliance prepares to launch a new statewide engagement campaign, Find Yourself in Recovery. The campaign expands how people connect to recovery beyond traditional channels, encouraging deeper belonging through affinity groups, shared identity, and community-led spaces. The federal investment, along with this initiative, reinforces a simple truth: recovery is sustained not only through policy, but through connection and community.
Senator Murray emphasized the urgency of strengthening behavioral health infrastructure across Washington:
“I am incredibly proud to have secured $1.5 million for the Washington Recovery Alliance to help establish a network of regional coalitions to coordinate our response to substance use and mental health challenges across the state. I’ve heard from too many heartbroken families who have a family member who struggles with drug use, too many first responders who are feeling overwhelmed by the rise in overdoses, and too many mental health providers who don’t have the resources to treat substance use disorder. Our communities need action, and recovery is possible—with this funding, WRA and their networks can continue to deliver the resources people need across the state to combat substance use disorders, address mental health crises, and help people along on their recovery journey. I am going to keep pushing to get more support to local communities for critical behavioral health infrastructure that organizations like WRA work to build,” said Senator Murray.
The Washington Recovery Alliance views this investment as a significant step toward long-term sustainability and statewide coordination.
“Recovery is built in communities, not systems alone,” said Monika Whitfield, Executive Director of the Washington Recovery Alliance.
“This investment strengthens local leadership; uplifts lived experience and ensures that recovery support is accessible in every corner of our state. Senator Murray’s leadership makes it possible to build a more coordinated, equitable, and sustainable recovery system for Washington.”
By investing in recovery infrastructure, this funding is expected to improve health outcomes, reduce strain on emergency services, and strengthen workforce participation across Washington State. You can learn more about the WRA's programs at washingtonrecoveryalliance.org.
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About the Washington Recovery Alliance
The Washington Recovery Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing recovery through advocacy, coalition-building, and community leadership. WRA works to strengthen recovery systems, elevate lived experience, and promote policies that support individuals and families impacted by substance use and mental health challenges. Through regional coalitions, community hubs, and statewide initiatives, WRA connects local leadership with state-level strategy to ensure recovery support is accessible, equitable, and sustainable across Washington.
