Care That Reaches Every Corner: ESD 113's Behavioral Health Services

Health providers are limited, and wait times can be long, especially in rural areas. Students and families often go without support for mental health and substance use concerns because the system is stretched thin. ESD 113 has been working to close that gap for more than 30 years.

As the first educational service district in Washington licensed for both substance use and mental health treatment, the agency has been a leader in supporting students. Much of this program runs through ESD 113’s True North Student Assistance and Treatment Services. 

“We have a full continuum of care for students in our region, with over 45 staff providing services,” said Erin Wick, executive director of ESD 113 Integrated Student Supports. That continuum spans prevention, early intervention, and treatment, and starts well before students’ needs escalate.

Layers of Service

Every student in the ESD 113 region can access telehealth for K–12 mental health or substance use concerns, regardless of location or insurance. The agency also hosts the Safe Harbor website, a single, accessible resource for crisis support and community referrals in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties.

Wick frames the agency’s approach around a principle she has carried for years: “We cannot treat our way out of this. We must invest in prevention and intervention services while ensuring access to high-quality treatment for those who need it.” 

At the state level, Wick supports the Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (BHSAP) through the Association of Educational Service Districts. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand access to student behavioral health supports across Washington, the program was built on the principles of prevention and early intervention.  

BHSAP is a statewide initiative that helps schools identify and address student needs before they become crises, ensuring students and families have timely access to support, resources, and services regardless of where they live.

In a 2025 study, Wick and her co-authors from the University of Washington’s School of Mental Health Assessment, Research, and Training (SMART) Center confirmed the success of the program: students who receive Student Assistance behavioral health services show measurable improvement in mental health and well-being. 

ESD 113 also provides substance use prevention and intervention services at eight regional sites through the statewide Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative, a community- and school-focused approach to preventing substance use disorder. In addition, ESD 113 supports community coalitions in five communities, bringing together school systems and community organizations around shared goals for youth substance use prevention, wellness, and healthy development.

The Big Picture

ESD 113 continues to contribute to these conversations at a state and national scale. Wick is the AESD representative for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and participated in the development of the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan. In 2026, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed that plan into law.

ESD 113’s influence on student assistance programs also extends nationally. In 2021, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy highlighted the work ESD 113’s Student Assistance Programs in the National Drug Control Strategy.

Wick collaborated with colleagues nationwide to author Student Assistance: A Guide for School Administrators. She supported the development of other key Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) resources, including the Talk. They Hear You. campaign and the Parents’ Night Out curriculum. 

That reach, from rural telehealth to a federal administrator's guide, reflects a goal Wick has held from the start. “Our value and our mission is to make sure that all kids get care,” Wick said, “no matter how hard it is on us, no matter how many partners we have to get involved.”