Office of Community Voices and Empowerment

About us

OCVE provides a platform for the voices of those with lived and living experience within Washington behavioral health systems to drive innovation and change, with guiding principles of hope and resiliency. The collaborative group of people that make up OCVE use their lived and living experience to inform policies, practices, and resources for statewide behavioral health services.

Our goal is to remove barriers, bridge gaps in the care continuum, and ensure everyone who resides in Washington State has equitable access to the resources they need to live well.

How we work

OCVE takes an active role in representation of the lived and living experience community by centering community voice and choice in internal and external HCA activities, initiatives, funding, policies, programming, and services. We promote individualized person-centered wellness, recovery, and the work of HCA.

Community voice and leadership

OCVE works with communities to identify opportunities to grow and develop leaders and advocates within Washington's behavioral health systems.

The work of OCVE is guided by a statewide advisory committee made up of individuals, family members, and caregivers who identify as having lived or living expertise within the Washington State behavioral health system.

Learn more about the office, including the background and about the office's work.

Get involved

There are many ways to get involved with office activities:

• Sign up for our mailing list
• View a list of opportunities for engagement for people with lived experience

Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy

OCVE works closely with the Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy (OBHA). OBHA has behavioral health advocates (formerly known as behavioral health ombuds), who are peers with lived experience that provide free and confidential services. They serve as neutral and confidential intermediaries and provide an informal process to support people in resolving complaints related to behavioral health programs, services, and providers.

They also host regional community forums where you can discuss your region's behavioral health system. Find your region to share your thoughts with OBHA.

WA SPEAKS

WA SPEAKS (Statewide Peer Engagement and Advocacy Keynote Speakers) is a collaborative dedicated to sharing recovery and wellness stories. WA SPEAKS shares hope and resilience with communities and organizations to shatter the stigma surrounding behavioral health challenges, bring awareness, and spread the word that people can and do recover. Visit the WA SPEAKS website to learn more.

Portraits of Hope and Wellness in Recovery video series

The Portraits of Hope video series contains 12 videos, eight themed and four individual portraits of community members. The videos share experiences, strength, hope, and resiliency while covering topics like stigma, hope, early recovery, and wellness. Watch all the videos on YouTube.