The Lake Burien Transitional Care Facility in Washington will transition into a specialized children's psychiatric program effective in late fall 2026, according to the state's Developmental Disabilities Administration.
The facility, known as the Children's Long-Term Inpatient Program (CLIP) facility, will serve youth aged 13-17 with intellectual or developmental disabilities and complex psychiatric needs. The transition fulfills legislative language designed to integrate the program into the state's coordinated youth behavioral health system under RCW 71.34.
The 12-bed facility will continue operating as a 24-hour therapeutic environment with specialized services including speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, nutrition services, and behavioral support. The program will use evidence-based treatments adapted for intellectual disabilities, including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.
The transition creates a single referral pathway through Managed Care Organizations and Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations, eliminating the need for families to navigate separate developmental disability and behavioral health systems. Previously, families reported that youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities were sometimes told they were not a good fit for standard psychiatric facilities.
By joining the state's CLIP network, Lake Burien will gain oversight from the Department of Health, Health Care Authority Inspection of Care, and The Joint Commission, as well as access to family support resources including parent training, advocacy resources, and a parent steering committee.