# IPRTF - Behavioral Health Committee - Oct. 20, 2026

The Whatcom County Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force (IPRTF) Behavioral Health Committee met on October 20, 2026. Civic Informer representatives demonstrated a public-facing dashboard that organizes Bellingham Police and Fire/EMS data, along with a private utilization dashboard used by Whatcom Health and Community Services. They discussed data limits and privacy protections, potential countywide expansion, and an unpublished preliminary analysis of activity around Bellingham alley closures. Civic Informer said its public products are free and its agency transparency platforms are funded by partner agencies; no contract award, purchase, dollar amount, or procurement action was identified. No votes were taken.

The committee then heard from Washington Representative Joe Timmons about behavioral-health and legislative priorities amid a difficult state budget outlook. Discussion included sustaining funding for co-responder and alternative-response programs, crisis-system coordination, youth mental-health initiatives, and housing for people leaving incarceration. Members also raised county priorities involving jail facility funding and space for re-entry services and family visitation, as well as public defender caseloads and resources. Timmons invited continued coordination with county stakeholders; no funding decisions or formal motions were made.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Healthcare, Public Safety
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure, Emergency Response
**Published:** October 20, 2026

### Sources
- [IPRTF - Behavioral Health Committee - Oct. 20, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYaQ_EUQZto) - WhatcomCountyGov