A commitment to collective well-being
At CHOICE, we believe health equity is a shared commitment to collective well-being. We believe every individual should have the opportunity to thrive—and central western Washington can be a place where health equity is not just an aspiration, but a reality achieved through collective action, shared dedication, and a relentless pursuit of well-being for all.
At its core, health equity means that everyone – regardless of their background or circumstance – has the healthcare, social services, and community supports they need to live a thriving life.​
The plan
Published in February 2025, our Regional Health Equity Improvement Plan lays out a clear roadmap for creating a healthier, more equitable future for central western Washington. Rather than focusing solely on specific inequities, disparities in health outcomes, or particular populations, this plan is designed to outline a vision and strategies for building a robust, interconnected network of care—one that ensures everyone has what they need to thrive.
Drawing on extensive community engagement and real-world insights, our plan highlights key themes and actionable strategies to connect and strengthen the formal and informal systems of support across the region.
Our outreach and engagement efforts—especially through our Tribal Collaboration and our Health Equity Cohort 1.0—have been critical in shaping the strategies we outline below.
Key themes and strategies
Connecting systems
When formal and informal systems of care are connected, coordinated services can address medical needs while also tackling other conditions that influence a person’s ability to thrive, such as food access, housing, and transportation.
Fostering belonging
When organizations, neighbors, and local leaders collaborate to prioritize belonging, they create an environment where people are more engaged, supportive, and informed. This inclusivity builds trust and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for community well-being.
Empowering community-led solutions
Collective action recognizes that sustainable change doesn’t happen in isolation. Instead, it emerges when communities come together to identify their challenges, pool resources, and co-design solutions.
Tribal collaboration and partnership​
Our work with the eight Tribal Nations in the region is built on respect, reciprocity, and cultural appreciation. We have engaged directly with Tribal health leaders and representatives through regular, dedicated meetings. These conversations have renewed our commitment to:​
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Respect Tribal sovereignty and leadership: involve Tribal partners in planning and decision-making that directly shapes programs, funding priorities, and long-term strategies.
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Partner with Tribal health providers: Collaborating with Tribal health and wellness services to improve access to holistic, culturally responsive care.
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Center Indigenous perspectives: Indigenous-led solutions are vital to the health and well-being of our communities.
Through these collaborations, Tribal partners have helped us identify innovative, community-led approaches that will create a lasting positive impact for generations.
Health equity cohort 1.0​
In spring 2024, we launched the first iteration of the Health Equity Cohort, which was a parallel process to our engagement with Tribes and Tribal Nations. Bringing together a diverse group of community partners committed to transforming regional health and well-being, the Cohort spent seven months engaged in identifying equity challenges and opportunities, building transformative relationships across sectors, and grounding their work in shared values such as inclusion, humility, justice, and unconditional positive regard. Their time together helped to:
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Identify strengths and gaps: Mapping out where our region excels and where barriers still exist in accessing care and support.
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Shape actionable strategies: Developing ideas that bridge the gap between formal systems and grassroots efforts.
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Promote community-driven solutions: Ensuring that the voices of those most affected by health inequities guide our next steps.
The insights from Cohort 1.0 have been instrumental in creating a plan that is both practical and visionary. Their commitment to shared learning and collective action continues to inspire our ongoing efforts to build a healthier, more connected region.
Funding opportunity to support regional well-being projects
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CHOICE is thrilled to announce a new opportunity for organizations and community leaders to make a lasting impact on regional health equity and well-being. We’re now accepting proposals for pilot projects that address key challenges in our region, including bridging gaps in care, fostering belonging, and elevating community-driven solutions.
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Awardees will receive funding to implement their projects, as well as engage closely with our Health Equity Learning Cohort, a group of regional organizations working together to learn, share insights, and refine projects based on real-time updates and data. Through this collaboration, we’ll identify projects with the most potential to grow and scale, and may recommend further investment to expand their impact across communities.
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Themes and examples for project proposals
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Proposals should address one or more of the following key themes:
Bridging gaps in care
This theme focuses on connecting formal healthcare systems with informal community support networks. It aims to strengthen relationships between healthcare, social services, and community groups such as volunteers and neighborhood associations.
Example projects
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Community-initiated care: Empower community members (e.g., spiritual leaders, barbers, coaches) to provide low-intensity interventions, bridging formal health systems with community-based care.
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Mentorship and leadership development: Help individuals from underrepresented groups access leadership opportunities, fostering personal growth and increasing representation.
Centering belonging and mutual understanding
Support initiatives that foster alignment across sectors and prioritize human belonging in program design and delivery.
Example projects
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Storytelling and narrative change: Address stigma and amplify marginalized voices through participatory research or storytelling to shift community perceptions of health.Collective action via community-led solutions
Elevate and support community-driven projects that directly improve health and well-being.
Example projects
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Mobile community resource hubs: Bring essential services directly to underserved areas by pooling resources and partnering with local organizations.
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Grassroots advocacy: Gather feedback from residents on barriers to services, collaborating with policymakers to ensure community input shapes initiatives and strategies.
Timeline and additional details
We encourage organizations from across the region to submit proposals. Please visit our RFP platform to learn more about the RFP, eligibility, and the submission process.
All proposals must be submitted by May 2, 2025.
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We hosted webinar on April 18th to provide more details about the RFP, answer questions, and offer support as you prepare your proposal. Materials from the webinar are now available:
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This initiative is about more than just funding—it’s about coming together to build a healthier, more equitable future for everyone in our region. We’re eager to see the innovative projects that will emerge from this opportunity.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Trish Cerza at cerzap@crhn.org.