Often the people who provide vital care and have a lasting effect on a person’s mental health and/or substance use journey into recovery and resilience are underpaid, undervalued, and underappreciated — and many folks in these frontline roles are BIPOC who are compensated even less due to systemic discrimination. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the importance of frontline work in behavioral health has become even more apparent.

King County Recovery Coalition wants to honor our behavioral health frontline workers throughout the county, shining a light on the profound impact each of these heroes has on the lives around them through the vital work they do and the courage, commitment, service, compassion and love they embody.

So how can we honor and recognize their work? We need your help to lift these dedicated behavioral health care providers into the spotlight!

Through storytelling we’ll spread awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for the compensation and recognition these frontline workers deserve as they help so many gain the gift of recovery.

Here’s how it works:

You can nominate an individual person and/or a behavioral health agency. Using the button above, share their name, email address, a photo or video of them, and tell us the story of how they’ve helped.

We’ll send everyone who’s nominated a handwritten thank you card filled with genuine gratitude and a certificate of appreciation. Some nominees will also be drawn to win a care package thanks to our supporters at Franz Bakery and Shepard Moon Concoctions!

KCRC is selecting one organization a month to give a Gratitude Lunch to. On March 12 King County Recovery Coalition honored Evergreen Treatment Services in Renton as part of their Gratitude for the Frontlines project, with a catered lunch for 29 people, including 5 nominated frontline workers, Cody Perry, Lisa Schallhorn, Janice Murray, Annie McCall and Latrina Young.

Here’s a quick look at the celebration.

On April 9, we took a Gratitude Lunch in to Recovery Cafe to celebrate this amazing organization and the 17 nominations the Cafe crew had received. Kelli Nomura, Director of the King County Behavioral Health & Recovery Division, joined us and gave opening remarks. That Brown Girl Cooks! provided an amazing meal that all enjoyed.

Here a peek at the festivities.

On May 20, we celebrated our frontline nominees in a special KCRC Presents:Gratitude for the Frontlines. Four nominees and their leadership were featured in our virtual event, along with opening remarks from Dow Constantine, King County Executive, and other segments showcasing our BH heroes.

Have questions or need help submitting your nomination? Please contact KCRC Director Heather.

*Please note: when you submit a nomination, you’re giving us permission to share your story, nominee name/position, and photos/videos on the KCRC blog, social media, and other communications.