Walla Walla nonprofit awarded $1m towards new treatment facility

WALLA WALLA - Blue Mountain Heart to Heart has been awarded $1,000,000 from a congressionally directed appropriation sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell. The funds are to be used towards a new BMH2H facility in Walla Walla. The proposed project will convert a 14,000 sq. ft. warehouse at 3 W. Poplar to a state-of-the-art clinic, classroom, social services, and case management facility. Outpatient services at this site will include substance use treatment, individual and group counseling, a small food pantry, case management, STI, HIV, and hepatitis C testing, and prevention education.

BMH2H has broken the project into three phases:

Phase I – Completing the first floor with clinical and prevention services, the food pantry, patient lab, workroom, breakroom, mechanical room, and parking for the mobile clinic.

Phase II – Second floor with elevator, classroom suite, and case management and administrative offices.

Phase III – Exterior facelift and roof upgrade.

When completed, BMH2H will consolidate its Walla Walla staff and services to the S. Poplar building, closing the Alder Street and S. Second Avenue locations.

In 2022, Washington State Representative Skyler Rude and State Senator Perry Dozier sponsored a $500,000 capital budget award for use in the Poplar Street building's exterior renovation.

"We are thrilled to have this support to expand our care practice in Walla Walla," said Everett Maroon, BMH2H's Executive Director. "This facility will offer our model of integrated care with greater capacity to provide walk-in and same-day service for opioid treatment, hepatitis C treatment, and to get people connected to care. I'm excited to see what good we can do with the building."

BMH2H and the City of Walla Walla are nearing the end of the construction planning and permitting phase. Bidding is likely to be announced by mid-March.

Cantwell has been aware of BMH2H's clinical work since it began a pilot project in conjunction with the University of Washington. Findings from that study led to the Health Engagement Hub model for all-in-one locations where drug users can access a range of medical, harm reduction, and social services.

The Washington Health Care Authority has contracted with BMH2H to offer two Health Engagement Hub sites in the pilot program.

Blue Mountain Heart to Heart is a community-based nonprofit 501(c) organization serving marginalized communities in rural areas. It celebrated its 40th Anniversary last year. For more information, visit bluemountainheart.org.