Press Release:

A defining moment. An ambitious team. Seattle Children’s Home (SCH) and Navos announced June 19 that they will merge their two non- profit organizations, and effective July 1, Seattle Children’s Home will officially become part of Navos.

The combination represents a breakthrough for young people affected by mild, moderate and severe mental illness.

Since 2009 SCH and Navos have partnered to deliver inpatient and outpatient programs for the most troubled children and youth, from infancy through young adulthood, in our community.

In 2011 Navos began providing limited administrative support services for SCH. At the beginning of 2012, SCH became a member of the Navos Consortium, joining 20 peer organizations, who collaborate to provide mental health services to over 40% of the children and youth receiving treatment in King County.

“The decision to formally combine the two organizations was based on a strong foundation of shared values and the certainty that together we could realize a more engaged and comprehensive clinical approach,” said Dr. Gena Palm, Executive Director of SCH, noting that the combined strategy accounts for national trends and needs that will directly affect clinical practice, funding priorities and reimbursement models.

The combined organization will work alongside clients in a more holistic and less institutional way to build on strengths, incorporate client choice and promote healing in a trauma-sensitive manner.

Dr. David Johnson, CEO of Navos said of the new relationship, “This shift is something we’ve been planning and looking forward to for a long time. We feel the time is right to offer the children and families in King County a new level and quality of care.”

Dr. Palm’s leadership of SCH will continue, and her role will expand on July 1, as she becomes Chief of Children, Youth and Family Services for the combined SCH, RDCC and Navos programs. Dr. Johnson will serve as CEO of the combined entity, providing leadership to all three organizations.

All of SCH’s existing programs will continue as SCH-branded programs, while all SCH employees will become Navos employees.

The announcement comes eighteen months after the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center (RDCC) in Burien made a similar move to join Navos.