Becoming Well Suquamish Tribe moves forward with plans for new healing and wellness center in Poulsbo

The Suquamish Tribe is laying the groundwork to open a new addiction healing and wellness center in Poulsbo — part of a strategy to expand access to holistic, culturally grounded care for those in recovery.

The center will be located in a former bank building, an acquisition made possible through $18.48 million in funding secured from the Washington State Legislature. The funds, from the state’s capital budget, will fully cover the cost of purchasing and remodeling the facility.

All that work will take time. Redesign and renovations to transform the two-story, 30,000-square-foot bank into a health center are expected to take at least a year. And then will come equipping and staffing, with plans to open the facility in 2027.

The yearlong remodel is only one part of the effort. Behind it is a broader push to strengthen the tribe’s response to the opioid crisis — a case tribal health leaders recently laid out in Olympia.

A win for tribal partnerships

“We built a case to the state legislature, with data showing that Indigenous-led opioid treatment programs have been the most effective in Washington, said Suquamish Community Health Manager Jeff Riggins, who also chairs the Suquamish Tribe’s opioid emergency steering committee, “We showed that we wouldn’t reinvent the wheel—we’d model our clinic after what’s already working.”

That approach received strong backing in Olympia. Sen. Drew Hansen, Rep. Tarra Simmons, and Rep. Greg Nance worked closely with Suquamish Tribe leaders to move the funding request through the legislature.

It’s a win Nance credited to strong advocacy from Chairman Leonard Forsman and the rest of Council, Riggins — who helped draft the legislative package — as well as other tribal government experts who helped lobby in Olympia in recent months.

“We have a lot of neighbors dealing with mental health challenges, dealing with addiction challenges. Day in and day out, these folks can slip through the cracks, but not on Suquamish’s watch,” said Nance in a briefing earlier this year with Tribal Council. “Budget leaders kept saying there’s no money for this, there’s no money for this. But Chairman Forsman is a persuasive leader. And by the end of it we have an $18 million investment that will save people’s lives right in our community.”

Modeled on centers of excellence

The treatment facility will serve both Suquamish tribal members and the broader Kitsap community and will be modeled on successful tribal centers of excellence such as those at Swinomish and Jamestown S’Klallam.

Planning focuses on offering wraparound services aimed at treating the whole person in a single, welcoming setting. The exact mix of services continues to be refined, but will include opioid treatment, primary medical care, and behavioral health and recovery support.

“Best practices in opioid treatment show that comprehensive care under one roof works best,” said Clinic Director Deborah McRae. “This facility will reduce barriers to care and support long-term wellness.”

McRae, who retired from the Navy after 20 years of service and has worked with major healthcare providers throughout Kitsap, was recently hired to help stand up the new center.

Reducing barriers to care

The Poulsbo location was chosen for its accessibility and potential. “This building is right on major bus lines and highways,” Riggins said. “We want to reduce as many barriers as possible for people seeking care.”

He added that placing the center off the reservation also helps protect privacy. “A lot of folks don’t feel comfortable walking into a wellness facility that’s right in the center of their community, especially when there’s stigma attached,” he said. “This is close to home, but with more discretion.”

There were no suitable buildings in Suquamish that could accommodate the facility’s needs, and new construction would have added significant cost and delay. Reusing an existing structure with features like secure vault spaces also opens the door to innovations such as on-site pharmacy services.

Next steps

Bremerton-based architecture firm Rice Fergus Miller was selected to design the building’s remodel, and Tacoma-based Korsmo Construction will turn the designs into reality. Both companies have experience creating aesthetically pleasing and patient-focused medical facilities. Early designs are in the works, and the permitting process will soon begin with the City of Poulsbo.

“We’re excited for the next steps of working with the city,” Riggins said. “They’re a key part of making this a reality.”

The facility will reflect the tribe’s commitment to culture-centered care — a model shown to improve outcomes for Native and non-Native patients alike.

In the coming months, tribal government staff hope to host community visioning sessions and listening circles about the new center.

“This will be a Suquamish place,” Riggins said. “And what we’ve seen is that when tribal communities lead this work, the whole community benefits.”

For more information and a list of FAQs, visit: https://suquamish.nsn.us/health-division/behavior-health-center/