State Funding Cuts Force HERO House NW to Rethink Employment Support

The Washington State Health Care Authority reduced funding for HERO House NW by approximately 30% in July. Kailey Fiedler Gohlke, the organization's CEO, stated that the financial hit restricts the ability to expand employment and housing programs. The cut impacts four clubhouses across the state that serve adults with mental illness.

HERO House Everett operates from 1901 Wetmore Ave. The facility opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. on weekdays. Membership is free for anyone over 18 with a history of mental illness. Members assist in daily operations, handling tasks such as cashiering, email management, and meal preparation. The site offers an employment program that connects individuals with temporary work or helps them develop skills for existing positions.

Justin Grimett shared his experience in a letter read at a recent open house. He described himself as a nomad before discovering the clubhouse in 2023. Grimett noted that he transitioned from homelessness to a stable life and relationship. He credited the organization with helping him maintain a job he enjoys. "I have a job that I'm eager to show up to every day," he wrote.

The clubhouse model relies on staff and members working side by side. Fiedler Gohlke explained that the approach is community-based and aims to help people combat isolation. She emphasized that the current funding structure makes it difficult to maintain this collaborative environment. The organization is now focusing on community partnerships to offset the loss.

Funding mechanisms vary by county. In King County, a 0.1% sales tax portion supports HERO House. In Snohomish County, the organization must negotiate with each of the state's five Medicaid plans separately. This process creates administrative challenges compared to the single negotiation structure in King County. Fiedler Gohlke noted that funding is generally harder to secure in Snohomish County.

Julia Smith, an employment specialist at the Everett location, said the clubhouse expects more visitors when new Medicaid work requirements take effect in January. Despite the funding changes, more than 40% of current members are employed or attending school. Smith pointed out that the program aligns with the goal of getting people back to work. "We have so many members who want to work," she said.

Jeannee Carr, a member, described her initial hesitation. It took her nearly a year and a half to feel comfortable in the space. She reported that her world opened up as she began building friendships. Carr stated that her will to live returned and that the experience lit a fire under her. The organization held the open house to showcase recent renovations and raise awareness of these services.

Meg McClure and her husband Harold opened the Everett clubhouse in 2019. They established the site after learning about the Bellevue location. Meg McClure, whose son lives with mental illness, said the founders recognized the need for a place where individuals could make their own decisions. The goal was to build confidence beyond clinical solutions.