Resources & Special Projects
Supporting Thriving Communities in Central Western Washington
This plan reflects the insights, strengths, and shared learnings from two parallel processes: quarterly convenings with Tribal health leaders and the Health Equity Cohort, a group of community partners who worked together for seven months to identify systemic gaps, highlight community strengths, and establish a shared framework for action.
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. We currently have a new Cohort 2.0 of more members from our community continuing to focus on community strategies.
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:
- Respect Tribal sovereignty and leadership: involve Tribal partners in planning and decision-making that directly shapes programs, funding priorities, and long-term strategies.
- Partner with Tribal health providers: Collaborating with Tribal health and wellness services to improve access to holistic, culturally responsive care.
- 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.
For Community
