Services for Justice System-Involved Adults

Pierce County seeks proposals from qualified organizations to deliver behavioral health services to individuals who are justice system-involved and not eligible for Medicaid-funded services. The goal is to increase access to behavioral health services at any stage of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) and services should not be reimbursable under Medicaid or private insurance.

Services must prioritize coordinated, timely, and effective behavioral health treatment and supports for individuals who are transitioning from incarceration, under community supervision, or otherwise involved with the justice system. Pierce County intends to fund programs that divert individuals from jail or emergency departments, reduce recidivism, and promote long-term stability in the community.

Proposers must be either a Behavioral Health Agency (BHA) providing services for justice-involved adults or a faith-based organization providing services for justice-involved adults, or a community agency employing licensed behavioral health providers who will provide services under this proposal. If your project is not providing services for justice involved adults, please go to the Peer Services, Outpatient and Community-Based Services, Shelter and Housing Support Services, Wellness, Prevention, and Early Intervention, and/or Youth and School-Based Services RFPs, as applicable. Please see the Solicitations and Competitive Bids page.

This procurement is aligned with the Pierce County Behavioral Health Improvement Plan (BHIP), the 2026-2027 Pierce County Council's Behavioral Heath Focus Areas, and Pierce County's 2026-2027 behavioral health funding priorities.

All agencies may apply for funding through the Pierce County Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts Tax (BHTC) Tax program. Proposed projects that serve more than one geographic area of the county will be given priority. Projects located in the City of Tacoma and serving only Tacoma residents must receive City of Tacoma funding.

Pierce County is particularly interested in proposals that leverage partnerships across systems of care; and demonstrate measurable improvements in stability, access, and long-term across populations, including survivors of domestic violence.

In December 2020, the Pierce County Council passed Ordinance 2020-138, authorizing a 1/10th of 1% BHTC, in accordance with RCW 82.14.460. The BHTC fund was established for the purpose of improving the quality of life for Pierce County residents and decreasing criminal justice system costs and emergency department use by reducing negative outcomes associated with untreated mental health and substance use disorders.

Behavioral health needs among justice system-involved populations in Pierce County are both significant and disproportionately impact the capacity of local systems, as a substantial percentage of individuals in jail settings present with untreated mental health and/or substance use disorders. Upon reentry, many face critical service gaps, including housing instability, limited access to behavioral health treatment, and poor care coordination—factors that increase the risk of recidivism and psychiatric crises. These challenges place additional strain on emergency departments, crisis response systems, and the jail itself, creating a costly and unsustainable cycle.

Addressing these issues aligns with Pierce County priorities, as outlined in the Pierce County Behavioral Health Improvement Plan, which identifies justice system-involved individuals as a key population for expanding the continuum of care. Furthermore, the Pierce County Council’s 2025 focus areas emphasize the importance of strengthening reentry supports, particularly through housing stability, peer services, and whole-person care. For these reasons, Pierce County is seeking to solicit services that will directly address these gaps and improve outcomes for justice system-involved individuals.