Building a stronger community, together: Investing in Everett’s Core
Welcome to Compass Health’s neighborhood updates. This page will serve as a resource to provide updates on activities, solutions, and connection points for clients, staff, and community members who live and work near our Broadway Campus.
Thank you for continuing the conversation – if you are specifically interested in the Broadway Campus Redevelopment project, visit our dedicated page here.
We frequently receive questions about the substantive changes happening in Everett’s core – from new construction and the opening of vital services to meet the needs of at-risk populations, to increases in housing insecurity and other complex challenges that mirror national trends.
While this area will continue to evolve – along with other neighborhoods throughout Everett and across Northwest Washington – one element remains unchanged: Compass Health’s commitment to building a strong, safe and healthy community, together.
For more than a century, it’s been our mission to positively impact the community by providing mental health and support services to those most in need. This involves expanding our footprint and continuously innovating new solutions to keep pace with community needs. It also involves actively communicating with our neighbors, so that we can navigate challenges collaboratively.
Below, you’ll find a host of information about the steps we’re taking to invest in Everett’s core, and to support the safety and well-being of our clients, team members, neighbors, and all those who live and work here. But if you’d like to know more – and importantly, if you have considerations or concerns you’d like to share with our team – please reach out to us at compass.communities@compassh.org.
How are issues, such as housing insecurity, evolving?
The number of individuals with disabilities experiencing homelessness for long periods of time in the United States increased by 16% between 2020 and 2022, and homelessness among single individuals has increased as well. This is according to the press release from the 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development accessible HERE. Everett is not immune to these complex issues, which require coordinated solutions from numerous members of the community to make a positive impact.
We are committed to working with our Everett community on strategies to address rising mental health needs, homelessness, drug use and other issues. These complex issues will not be solved by one single fix, so we have engaged a multi-pronged approach, outlined below.
How does Andy’s Place help to address the needs of vulnerable community members?
Compass Health’s approach to supporting whole person health acknowledges that an individual’s mental and physical health are interconnected and are affected by a mosaic of influences. For example, if a person is struggling to find permanent shelter and consistent meals, addressing their depression or other mental health needs is even more challenging, making it difficult to follow prescribed plans for therapy, medication, and other treatment. Because of this, one of the many services that Compass Health provides is long-term supportive housing at Andy’s Place.
Located at the corner of Lombard Avenue and 33rd Street, Andy’s Place provides permanent housing to individuals who are experiencing mental health needs under the Housing First model, an evidence-based approach to ending homelessness. Compass Health team members manage Andy’s Place and engage all residents to adhere to our Good Neighbor policy and safety protocols. While we make behavioral health services available to residents – and our goal is to support their long-term journey to recovery.
Andy’s Place includes 81 studios and one 3-bedroom unit, plus extensive common areas, serving low-income individuals with chronic mental illness. Intensive on-site support services include case management and a meal service program. The building also houses the Growth Center, which offers case management, counseling, mental health, and medical services to Compass Health non-residential clients.
You’ll find more here about Andy’s Place, which opened in 2021 as the first phase of our Broadway Campus Redevelopment. Building on its success, phase two will expand services available to residents and at-risk community members with intensive mental health needs. If you’re interested in keeping up with Compass Health’s Broadway Campus, we regularly post updates to this online resource center.
What safety policies are in place at Andy’s Place?
At Andy’s Place – as with our other facilities – we are squarely focused on supporting the safety of our clients, staff, and neighbors. Here are some of the safety best practices, policies and procedures we have in place.
- Each tenant signs our Good Neighbor Policy that outlines actions that tenants agree to refrain from: littering; loitering; yelling; fighting; hassling neighbors, store vendors, etc.; aggressive panhandling; purchasing or selling drugs or paraphernalia.
- Compass Health also has a strict guest policy – guests must check in and out of the building with staff at the front desk after being registered on an approved list of visitors with ID verification and be escorted by the resident they are visiting.
- Controlled access so that entry is only possible through the front door with more than 50 cameras monitoring the premises.
- No weapons are allowed. A private security company provides 24/7 security throughout the property. Thoroughly trained staff are proficient in conflict de-escalation and other safety measures and protocols.
How does Compass Health support neighbors who live and work near our Broadway campus?
While we strive for zero instances of negative interactions, we genuinely appreciate neighbors alerting us to problematic situations. HIPPA regulations and standard patient confidentiality prohibit us from sharing any client or tenant information, where applicable. But even in the many incidents involving community members who are not associated with Compass Health, dialogue with neighbors allows us to address concerns and gain a deeper understanding that can help us improve our operations where possible, and work collaboratively with neighbors and other leaders in the community to drive solutions.
For non-emergency situations, neighbors can contact our Compass Health community response team at compass.communities@compassh.org. In an emergency, contacting the authorities at 911 is the most expeditious and most appropriate response.
What other investments is Compass Health making in Everett’s core?
Compass Health is a proud member of the Everett Station Alliance to advance Everett’s core as a safe and secure place to visit, work and live. Along with a number of downtown businesses and organizations, Compass Health contributes a significant assessment to fund neighborhood security and cleaning services. Our membership in the Everett Station Alliance gives us another outlet for feedback and communication with non-residential members of the community.
How does Compass Health engage with law enforcement?
We collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies across Northwest Washington through a range of longstanding relationships, as well as formal Community Response partnerships. This allows us to embed Compass Health mental health providers within law enforcement, 9-1-1 dispatch and other first responder teams to allow a mental health responder to utilize their specialized training for mental health needs as appropriate.
When officers refer individuals experiencing behavioral health needs to Compass Health and other providers, it can mark the beginning of a recovery journey. These referrals enable us to work with clients to pursue their goals for recovery, de-escalate issues, and help avoid dependence on jail or emergency departments.
Finally, when Compass Health team members observe drug use, vandalism or other illegal behavior caused by individuals not associated with our programs, it is our policy to alert authorities by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line.
How can I contact Compass Health about an issue I’d like to discuss?
Compass Health remains committed to our clients, staff, and community and will continue to listen, learn, and act for tailored solutions focused on long-term success in northwest Washington. We welcome the opportunity to engage in an ongoing conversation. If you would like to get in touch with Compass Health about a neighboring facility to your home or business, please contact compass.communities@compassh.org