The Washington Council for Behavioral Health is the professional association of licensed community behavioral health agencies across the state of Washington who have joined together to provide a unified, representative voice speaking on behalf of community behavioral health since 1979.
We are dedicated to strengthening the ability of community behavioral health agencies—our state’s safety-net providers—to transform the lives of people living with mental illness and/or addictions. The Washington Council does this through public policy and system improvement initiatives, behavioral healthcare education, and partnerships to promote recovery, expand the use of best practices, and integrate care.
A strong, credible, and unified voice and source for statewide expertise in community mental health and addiction treatment.
Analysis of key issues, trends, and policies that impact community behavioral health.
Analysis of key issues, trends, and policies that impact community behavioral health.
Connecting behavioral health to total health through connections with state agencies, legislators, and our member agencies.
We advance policies that improve whole health and longevity, support recovery and resilience, and promote overall community health.
We support healthcare systems that reinvest in their communities, build collaborative partnerships, and place their financial resources into services which directly benefit individuals and work to nurture health, not just to treat illness.
We commit to supporting the ongoing sustainability of community-based behavioral health services through public policy development, system and quality improvement initiatives, and behavioral health education.
We develop active partnerships that promote recovery, expand the use of best practices, and improve health outcomes.
We strive to provide our member agencies with the highest quality service in all that we do.
We demonstrate respect for people and value the diversity of our staff, member agencies, and communities.
Chief Executive Officer
(206) 628-4608 x14
jmiller@thewashingtoncouncil.org
As CEO of the Washington Council, Joan guides the organization’s strategic vision, ensures the Council’s position as a leading voice and resource for community behavioral health, and builds partnerships that promote system improvement. Prior to joining the Council, she was nonpartisan staff for the Washington Senate’s Human Services & Corrections Committee in Olympia. She received a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona and graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law where she earned her JD degree and served as the Law Review’s Editor-in-Chief. Joan enjoys warm PNW summers, novels, exploring new cities, live music, and trying new restaurants.
Senior Policy Analyst
(206) 628-4608 x16
joconnor@thewashingtoncouncil.org
Julia O’Connor, MSW is the Senior Policy Analyst with the Washington Council for Behavioral Health, focusing on issues related to community behavioral health, Medicaid reimbursement, workforce development, access to services, and health system reform in Washington State. Based in Seattle, she previously worked as the Health & Social Policy Advisor at the state Workforce Board and spent several years in Washington, DC as an advisor to Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Rep. Brian Higgins (NY-26). She earned an MSW from Seattle University and a BA from Colgate University. Outside the office, Julia enjoys baseball and banh mi, reading memoirs, and exploring PNW hiking trails with her beloved pup, Barkley.
Director of Conference Planning & Project Management
(206) 628-4608 x12
aavery@thewashingtoncouncil.org
Alison is the Education & Project Manager for the Washington Council, responsible for project management and organizing events including the Washington Behavioral Healthcare Conference. Alison graduated magna cum laude from Dickinson College with a BA in French, and received an MA in Medieval History from the University of Toronto. She enjoys traveling (especially to France) and reading.
Policy Analyst
(206) 628-4608 x 13
oshangrow@thewashingtoncouncil.org
Olivia Shangrow, JD is the Policy Analyst for the Washington Council. A graduate of Seattle University School of Law, Olivia brings to the Council a background in legal advocacy focused on supporting vulnerable workers and residents of Washington state. [As a law student, she led policy projects to improve working conditions and protections for domestic workers, as well as home healthcare employees and rideshare drivers.] Prior to law school, Olivia worked as a biologist and beekeeper. She earned a BS in Biology with faculty honors from the University of Washington Bothell and graduated magna cum laude from Seattle U where she earned her JD, received the Mary Ellen Krug Award, and served as the Law Review’s Volume 46 Editor in Chief. Olivia enjoys cooking, playing fetch with her dogs, and participating in her local bowling league.
Operations Manager
(206) 628-4608 x15
cspurr@thewashingtoncouncil.org
Charles is the Operations Manager for the Washington Council, responsible for the day to day needs of the organization and its members. His background includes a diverse set of skills ranging from customer service, to bookkeeping, to website design and maintenance. Prior to joining the Council, he spent time working closely with companies in the aerospace industry. Charles received a BA in Communication and Social Science from the University of Washington. He lives in the heart of South Lake Union where he enjoys drinking coffee, streaming video games on Twitch, and attending local performance art shows.
