en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)en Englishfr Frenchde Germanja Japanesept Portugueseru Russianes Spanish

North Sound ACH

North Sound Accountable Community of Health

Liz Baxter

Heading into the New Year

by Leave a Comment

We are officially on the other side of the Winter Solstice, so each day from now until beginning of summer will have a few more minutes of daylight – a much needed lift as we circle the sun.

As noted above, we’re pushing our Convening out a month. We are leaning in to help support flood response and recovery efforts, specifically in Whatcom and Skagit counties, and it is tough to watch neighbors and friends navigating the impact of weather related events, knowing they are coming more frequently than before.

During a weather event, there are so many immediate response components that get stood up – dealing with emergencies first, followed by longer term response and recovery. Counties and first responders play such significant roles – rescuing people from flooded homes, removing downed trees and mud from landslides are just examples. Media images of turbulent rivers, downed trees and power lines, and moving people to safety prompt concerns; sometimes once the rivers subside it isn’t as evident how to maintain attention to households in need. Taking stock of damage and how much has been lost, alongside finding shelter, food, and clothing can take months, not days. We are so grateful to those who step in to help immediately, and those who follow soon after. Thank you.

In 2021 the flooding was referred to as a ‘greater than 100-year flood’ because of maps that define properties that sit in historic flood plains. Four years later we are seeing more devastating flood levels, but without the COVID surge we had in 2021. We can hold two separate truths at the same time – we are more prepared, and still not quite ready. Our role is to help community members for the long term, beyond the crisis as folks move into recovery.

We hope you can join us in February for the Convening. The focus is still on food security. We have a lot of work to do, and you astound us with your passion and commitment to helping the people of this region!

Thanks for all you do –

November 2025

by Leave a Comment

The fourth quarter of each year has followed a similar pattern for me: cooler days with shorter windows of sunlight; watching the garden change color and enter hibernation, flu season, budget preparation for the coming year, and staff annual reviews. 

This quarter brought all of those things, plus more: impending changes in eligibility and documentation for services such as Medicaid and SNAP; a government shutdown that left families in limbo about benefits they were eligible for; and open enrollment for health insurance with uncertainty about premium assistance; and growing skepticism about the validity of long-trusted vaccine research. 

Many community members are confused by conflicting news updates, feeling isolated and wondering who can help them navigate through what they are hearing in the media and government officials. We know that our team, along with your teams, can be of great help – but the challenge can be connecting community members to you, and resources, at the right time. 

That’s where the North Sound Community Hub can be a resource. Anyone can refer to the Community Hub, which is set up to help community members navigate resources when they need them; check out a short video here. North Sound ACH, and the eight ACHs across the state, are supporting community-based workers (CBWs) to assist with this work locally. Clinical and community providers can make referrals, and community members can refer themselves using an online referral form. There is a toll free number, and you can reach us directly. Check out this map of the organizations who we partnered with that have CBW’s ready to help!

A big part of this fourth quarter is planning for the January Convening. We’re asking that you hold these dates for now – January 28-29! We will solidify the calendar hold in the coming two weeks and send a ‘Save the Date’ notice out. 

This year’s focus is Food Security – a huge topic that hit us all after the passage of H.R.1 and the government shutdown. The Convening will emphasize the action part of the Collaborative Action Network. Our Resource Library already has links to where community members can turn when they need food but, what was made clear to us is, a food bank, food pantries, community food programs, mutual aid groups, etc. can vary across communities. Knowing what is available every day, once a week, periodically, or seasonally will help us paint a clearer picture of what is available when, and help us steer individuals and families to the right resources.

 
Over the past two months, I’ve learned a lot from food banks about what it takes to maintain access to food, especially culturally appropriate food.  We hope that you’ll consider joining us to create a regional map of available resources and mark where the gaps are so that we can better meet the needs of folks across the North Sound region. 

As we complete the budget that will serve us in 2026, North Sound ACH is planning to expand targeted investments in food security. The past year has amplified its importance, and the fragility of the food security network we have today.

Let us work together to make sure that community members are fed. 

Thinking of nourishment of a different kind, this year marked the second gathering of Netse Mot, an in-person event at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. As Children of the Setting Sun stated in its recent update:

“At Children of the Setting Sun, our hearts are still full after a beautiful evening on Tuesday. We were delighted to host nearly 2,500 friends and relatives from Coast Salish territories and across Indian Country. Together, we fulfilled the purpose of Netse Mot – uniting as one heart and one mind. The night featured a powerful blend of comedy, storytelling, music, dance, film, ceremony, and recognition. Whether you were unable to attend, or you were, but you want to re-live the evening, you can watch the full show on the Children of the Setting Sun YouTube channel. ”

There are times when our hearts are heavy and need nourishment, and Netse Mot was such a time for us. We are always grateful to learn, laugh and cry together with our CSSP colleagues. 

Finally, reminiscing on Jane Goodall’s passing in October and revisiting her interviews about working in nature reminds us that we are not separate from the world around us: “I truly believe that only when head and heart work in harmony can we attain our true human potential.”

We hope you can join us in January for the Convening. We have a lot of work to do, and you astound us with your passion and commitment to helping the people of this region!


Thanks for all you do –   

Stronger Together, This Summer and Beyond

by Leave a Comment

This past month I went to an event featuring Clyde Ford—an author, software engineer, chiropractor, psychotherapist, and boat captain (wow)—who shared stories about cruising the Inside Passage. On the surface, it was an evening about boating the Northwest waterways, but it was so much more: the history of people of color and sailing, who has a right to be on the water, the assumptions we make about privilege and inclusion, and how we build community.

Bryan Rust from the Community Boating Center and Denice Rochelle from The Bronze Chapter (two Network members!) opened the evening by speaking about expanding opportunities for people of color—of any age or ability—to get out on the water and build connections in this special place we call home.

It was a great reminder for all of us to say yes to the invitations we receive from each other.

On another note, Cynthia Andrews and I traveled to Concord, California, to talk about North Sound with community leaders there. After nearly two years of planning with community, Contra Costa was hosting its first ACH convening and invited us to reflect on what we’ve learned over the past nine years—especially around equity and leading with love. We came away with deep insights and inspiration from them as they embark on their own journey, and as always, it was a joy to share the incredible work you do.

Photos Courtesy of Stacy Wegley

Note: Washington is still the only state with ACHs (nine) covering the entire state, but California has funded 36 so far. This booklet outlines their work, with a map on page 3 showing where those ACHs are located. Washington’s ACHs also have a coalition where all nine regions collaborate to build a fabric of care and connection across the state. The WA Coalition of ACHs has launched a new website where you can explore the regions and our collective work.

Photos Courtesy of Liz Baxter

For the first time since moving north nine years ago, Nance and I visited the Skagit Tulip Festival—which, of course, inspired a flurry of garden cleanup and planting in our own little yard. Our trip came just one week after the ICE raid at Mt. Baker Roofing in Whatcom County. As we wandered the gardens in awe, we couldn’t ignore the knowledge that many of the farm’s workers were showing up under unimaginable stress. They are part of our community—and threats to them are threats to all of us.

We are surrounded by contradictions. Community members being detained and facing deportation. Global conflicts intensifying. Summer heat and wildfires already impacting parts of the country. Even when these issues feel far away, they are deeply local because of the diversity and interconnection within North Sound communities.

We’re also living through a growing backlash against equity and diversity. Some in our communities are at risk of losing jobs, housing, and even safety—facing a rising sentiment that they (we) don’t belong or haven’t earned what we’ve worked for. But we do belong. We are here, in every community.

Please take advantage of time together this summer and beyond. That’s the reason for the ACH and the Collaborative Action Network: to help us connect, see one another, and be seen. These connections are what will carry us through chaotic times and help us build toward the future we imagine.

Outside forces may try to divide us, but we must resist that pressure. We are not just trying to win campaigns—we are fighting for our collective future, and for those who come after us. That’s why we gather. We are stronger together.

CEO Search Launches

by Leave a Comment

The Seventh Generation Principle is shared by many Native American nations and tribes, which emphasizes the importance of thinking ahead and making decisions that will benefit future generations. North Sound ACH has benefited greatly from learning from the eight tribes in the North Sound, upon whose land we sit and work.

With that in mind, Liz has let us know that it’s time to begin the search for the next CEO for North Sound ACH. There will be opportunities for partner engagement as we launch the search, please see below to learn more about the recruitment and search committee processes. You can view the job description here on our website, and hope that you will share it within your networks. We are working with Diversity Recruiters to manage the search, a firm we worked with in a prior successful search. We anticipate the search process taking approximately six months.

I want to thank Liz for the thoughtful way she is approaching this pivotal transition, and for her extraordinary tenure from the early days with two staff, to where we are today: post pandemic and growing with a new Medicaid waiver. Liz continues to advocate for a stronger network of regional partners, working together to innovate in their work today, in ways that result in a transformed region for the next generation and beyond.

– Cheryl Rasar
Board Chair

“It is such an honor to shepherd the work of North Sound ACH and its partners, leveraging resources to strengthen the work across the region. Over the next six months, I’m looking forward to helping the board identify an incredible leader ready to carry this work and grow opportunities to make this a region where all feel they belong.”

– Liz Baxter

There are a few ways that you can participate in the search for the North Sound ACH CEO.

  • Read updates in newsletters and emails, and share the job posting within your personal and professional networks. Investment of time = 3 hours
  • Respond to online surveys regarding interview process design options and creation of sample interview questions. Investment of time = 3 hours
  • Participate on an interview panel. This will require consistent commitment to prep sessions, debrief sessions, and the interview sessions, which will be virtual and in-person. Investment of time = 8-10 hours
  • Participate on the formal search committee. This will require commitment to attend roughly 10 meetings (primarily virtual) over the course of late November – early April. The tasks that the committee will engage in are as follows: design interview process, review top six candidate profiles and select who will be invited to interview, participate in 1-3 round of interviews. Investment of time = minimum of 20 hours, not to exceed 40 hours over four months. 

If you would like to learn more about these opportunities or want to be considered for the search committee or interview panel, please send an email to Nicole Leckband at Diversity Recruiters (nicole@diversityrecruiters.com). The deadline for consideration is Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

From left, Board Chair Cheryl Rasar, CEO Liz Baxter, CEqO Hallie Pritchett, COO Nicole Willis, and CTO Arlesia Bailey.

Collaborative Action Network: Aspirations and Actions

by Leave a Comment

I am often asked the rationale behind the common agreements that we have asked all partners to commit to. For those who aren’t familiar with them they are linked here.

Since 2014, when leaders from across five counties and eight tribal nations formed what is now North Sound ACH, the underlying focus on advancing equity has been present. To further that end, in December 2020 the Board of Directors made this even more explicit, adopting a set of goals for the organization to ensure that all people in the region have access to the conditions relied on every day for well-being. Operationally, we incorporated those goals into contracts between us and our partners – the set of common agreements mentioned above. 

In a recent , questionable billing practices of nonprofit health systems for patients at or near the federal poverty level were explored, and examples were used from one of our health system partners, Providence. (Please also read the response from Providence at this link.)

As a backdrop, the Affordable Care Act set requirements for nonprofit health systems to disclose their charity care, an intention to help the most vulnerable individuals and families in our communities. Some states, including Washington, followed by enacting legislation to identify if and who would be eligible for free or discounted care; you can find a brief description of Washington’s requirements at the Attorney General’s website.  

It is unacceptable when practices leave people at lower income levels to be buried in even more debt when there are programs to mitigate those circumstances. But we cannot jump to condemn the individuals and caregivers who work with those systems, who have been serving patients under some of the most trying conditions our nation has ever faced. When system-level decisions are made, the systems must work to acknowledge and correct those system-level decisions.   

Regionally, we are working to change the conditions that leave people suffering and struggling, and advance strategies where all community members can thrive. It is a worthy goal, and we’re grateful to have a wide array of regional partners on board with us, including strong practitioners from Providence.    

We believe in what our partners have committed to – not just in writing, but in action. We also believe that North Sound ACH can be of support as our partners navigate tough times. As we have done in the past, we will provide a space for anyone to join in advancing equitable well-being across the region, with our partners and even within our own team here at North Sound ACH. This requires that we all are able to point out when we or I stumble and to work together to do better.

Happy New Year!

by

As we close out the final days of 2017, and march into the new year, we are grateful for the breadth and depth of knowledge, innovation and passion that exists within the North Sound partners and communities. Together, you all have laid the groundwork for change, and our team sees so much opportunity in front of us. To address an issue as challenging – and devastating – as opioids will take us all, with the usual and unexpected partners working together. 

In 2018, we will be working with you to – 

  • Support the counties and the BHO (Behavioral Health Organization) as they forge ahead in integrating managed care and behavioral health services;
  • Detail out the initiatives that will be carried out in our region, with the goal of having those initiatives starting on the ground in the second half of the year;
  • Negotiate contracts with partners who will be carrying out the initiatives; 
  • Pushing out data that describes needs and assets across the region;
  • Analyze workforce (current and future needs), value based payment and population health management strategies;
  • Explore opportunities with partners to support regional work beyond the Medicaid Transformation Project (recognizing that the current Transformation funds will only carry us so far).

That is the promise of the ACH – to be a regional table that coordinates work across partner organizations, optimizes funding to partners who do the work of transforming Medicaid; solicit and incorporate insights and perspectives from community members to guide the work, and find the ‘next’ opportunity to work together for positive change. Thank you for being on this journey with us, and we wish you all a healthy and happy new year!

Liz