Policy Codesign

Policy Codesign is an emerging area of practice and science to improve persistent problems in policy development and implementation. Our team is collaborating with national and international design, evidence-synthesis, and health equity experts in developing and testing these models. Policy codesign is an approach to multi-sector knowledge sharing and relationship building that sets the stage for more effective implementation.

Our Work Leading Policy Codesign:

 

POLICY CODESIGN FOR KING COUNTY YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION

This project aimed to produce a policy recommendation and implementation plan for youth mental health promotion and substance use disorder prevention in King County. Over 6 months, from February to August 2024, this Policy Codesign process brought together partners from government, service sectors, advocacy and community groups in a series of interconnected design workshops, meetings, and other opportunities to inform policy.

POLICY CODESIGN FOR OKANOGAN COUNTY YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION

This project aimed to produce a policy recommendation and implementation plan for youth mental health promotion and substance use disorder prevention in Okanogan County. Over 6 months, from June to December 2024, this Policy Codesign process brought together partners from government, service sectors, advocacy, and community groups in a series of interconnected design workshops, meetings, and other opportunities to inform policy.

CULTURALLY AFFIRMING & RESPONSIVE MENTAL HEALTH (CARE) FOR KIDS & FAMILIES

With workforce shortages and the impact of COVID-19 on our communities' mental health, the need for expanding access to culturally responsive, child mental and behavioral health services is immense. CARE for Kids & Families is a new project led by a growing coalition of collaborators and facilitated by UW’s CoLab for Community and Behavioral Health Policy that works to address that need while centering community knowledge and lived experience. This initiative has been funded through Washington State legislative proviso. Learn more here.

Past Work

POLICY CODESIGN FOR GRAYS HARBOR TO PREVENT JAIL-BASED OPIOID OVERDOSE

Our research team assessed the acceptability and feasibility of the system codesign approach by partnering with the Washington State Healthcare Authority. We piloted this approach in a rural community in Washington with a high prevalence of youth behavioral health needs, Grays Harbor County. The design workgroup included behavioral health, pediatrics, juvenile justice, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, schools, and families/youth. 

MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY AT SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

CoLab worked with Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH) staff, leadership, and community leaders together to create a Codesign team to collaboratively re-design mental health services and improve access and mental health services at Seattle Children’s Hospital for Black families. Learn more here.

 TELEHEALTH BEHAVIORAL POLICY ANALYSIS

CoLab conducted a policy analysis of telebehavioral health vendor arrangements and network implementation strategies to determine the value of telehealth to reach hard-to-access regions and populations that are not currently well-served by physical behavioral health providers. The policy analysis provides information on which telebehavioral health strategies provide the most value to Medicaid-eligible clients.