SUD Intake, Screening, and Assessments (SUDISA) work group

The SUDISA work group recommends changes to systems, policies, and processes related to intake, screening, and assessment for substance use disorder (SUD) services.

Want to learn more about who participates in the work group?

Project goal

The goal is to provide specific, actionable, state-level, and evidence-based recommendations to the Washington State Legislature. These recommendations aim to:

  • Broaden the workforce capable of administering SUD assessments.
  • Make the assessment process as brief, low-barrier, and person-centered as possible—including only what is necessary to manage utilization and initiate care.
  • Achieve the additional goals as identified by the work group members.

Meeting information

The SUDISA work group follows norms and expectations.

Upcoming meetings

2025
Date How to join Meeting materials
Monday, February 17, 2025 Join the meeting  
Monday, April 21, 2025 Join the meeting  
Monday, June 16, 2025 Join the meeting  
Monday, August 18, 2025 Join the meeting  
Monday, October 20, 2025 Join the meeting  
Monday, December 15, 2025 Join the meeting  

Past meetings

2024
Date Meeting materials
 December 16, 2024
October 14, 2024
October 2, 2024
September 16, 2024
August 28, 2024
August 12, 2024
July 24, 2024
July 8, 2024
June 26, 2024
June 10, 2024
May 29, 2024
May 13, 2024
April 24, 2024
April 8, 2024

March 27, 2024

March 11, 2024

February 21, 2024

January 29, 2024

2023

Background

In 2022, the Substance Use Recovery Services Advisory Committee (SURSAC) treatment subcommittee developed a recommendation to create a work group to address access variability to SUD assessments across Washington State, as part of the Substance Use Recovery Services Plan.

In 2023, the state Legislature passed 2E2SSB 5536, which directed HCA to establish this work group to recommend changes to systems, policies, and processes.

The work group members must include care providers, payors, people who use drugs, individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, and other individuals recommended by HCA.

Public input and feedback

Although the SUDISA work group is not subject to the Open Public Meetings Act, work group members voted to open the meetings for public attendance and observation. Meeting discussion will be limited to work group members, with the exception of special guests, panelists, presenters, or subject matter experts invited into the discussion.

Public feedback for the work group can be provided via email to the work group administrator, who will provide the feedback to the work group with opportunity to discuss at each meeting.

Work group deliverables

The work group shall present its recommendations to the Governor and appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2024.

Contact

Email: Kelley Sandaker
SUDISA administrator