Sarah Rafton
Washington Thriving Policy & Advocacy Director
- Role
- Washington Thriving Director of Policy & Advocacy at Behavioral Health Catalyst
- Location
- Seattle, WA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Sarah Rafton
Collaborate with government, health care, education, and non-profits to support the health and well-being of Washingtonians. Facilitate quality improvement and health care transformation to improve health.
Experience
Washington Thriving Director of Policy & Advocacy
Aug 2025 — Present
Lead policy changes to advance Washington State’s strategic plan for prenatal-through-age-25 behavioral health, Washington Thriving. Partner with elected officials, state agencies, families and broad-based community stakeholders to translate the transformative vision of Washington Thriving into policy action. Cultivate champions for Washington Thriving in the legislature, executive branch, state agencies, and amongst families, youth, providers and the advocate community. Identify alignment of the strategic plan with the priorities of elected officials, state agencies and allied stakeholders.Results include:• Endorsement of Washington Thriving by Governor Ferguson.• Established over 170 community partners interested in advancing policy for Washington Thriving.• Unanimous House and Senate votes to establish Washington Thriving in statute and executive office accountability to build a system of care for youth behavioral health and well-being.• Passage of legislation to establish a systematic, statewide approach to help public schools support behavioral health.• Increased state investments in perinatal supports for people experiencing substance use disorder.
Education
University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Political Science and Government
1989 — 1993
University of Washington
Master of Social Work - MSW
1997 — 1999
Skills
- Healthcare
- Large Group Facilitation
- Policy Analysis
- Multi-Cultural Team Building
- Public Speaking
- Community Outreach
- Nonprofits
- Public Health
- Performance Improvement
- Leadership
- Grant Writing
- Non-Profits
- Healthcare Management
- Program Management
- Policy
- Management
- Team Building
- Program Development
- Patient Centered Care
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Program Evaluation
- Strategic Planning
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