Peer Spokane in Partnership with Spokane Public Library Receives $400,000 Funding from Better Health Together Community Linkages

Spokane, WA - Better Health Together Community Linkages has announced its approval of the proposal by Peer Spokane and Spokane Public Library to establish a program that will place Peer Services Specialists at three Spokane Public Library locations. The $400,000 in funding awarded will allow for at least two full-time Peer Service Specialists at the library for the next two years.

Social workers in libraries are a growing trend nationwide. Spokane Public Library has employed a social services manager, Bethiah Streeter since May 2022 Streeter leads a team of social work interns from Eastern Washington University and together they connect community members with social services resources. Through their work, Bethiah and her team have connected eighteen individuals with housing, established weekly Coffee & Conversation events that help people feel seen, heard, and connected within our community.

The alliance between Better Health Together, Peer Spokane, and Spokane Public Library will build capacity for the social services program at Spokane Public Library and connect more individuals to emotional support, healthcare, mental health services, and other resources. The Peer Spokane team will be based out of Central Library and expand services to Liberty Park Library and Shadle Park Library later in 2023.

Peer Spokane serves individuals with behavioral health needs, including mental health and/or substance use, and those experiencing homelessness. The organization provides onsite peer emotional support, referral to peer coaching, support groups, supportive employment, supported housing, and referral to community resources.

Better Health Together Community Linkages is a grant funding opportunity program offering a total of $3,600,000. Better Health Together anticipates funding approximately nine projects at $400,000 each but reserves the right to fund a larger number of smaller-budget projects, or a smaller number of larger projects.

"This funding and partnership will allow us to expand services to even more individuals in need," said Bethiah Streeter, Social Services Manager at Spokane Public Library. "We are grateful for the support of Better Health Together and excited to work with Peer Spokane to make a positive impact on the health outcomes of our community.