Washington Department of Health's (DOH) Community Collaborative supports workgroups to help address the health concerns of specific communities. The list of current workgroups follows. We strive to make workgroups accessible to all members of our Washington community. Compensation is available to regular workgroup members, and accessibility needs can be met upon request. To express interest or learn more, please email Community.Collaborative@doh.wa.gov.  Workgroup meetings are listed on the Community Collaborative Calendar.

Carceral Health Equity

The Carceral Health Equity Workgroup promotes the well-being of people incarcerated in response to the health harms posed by the carceral system. Workgroup members provide advice, insights, and information to help DOH build public health strategies to ensure that those incarcerated or detained receive equitable, comprehensive, culturally appropriate, and compassionate support for their health and well-being. The workgroup centers the voices of those currently and formerly incarcerated in all of its work with a focus on anti-racism. By addressing health disparities and championing the human rights and dignity of all those affected by incarceration, we strive to create a more just and inclusive society.

  • This workgroup welcomes new members with past or present history in carceral systems. This workgroup meets the second Tuesday of the month from 4:00-6:00 p.m. 

Disabilities, Access and Functional Needs (D-AFN)

The D-AFN Workgroup is an inclusive space for people across the state with disabilities or access and functional needs to share their pressing health concerns with DOH, get answers and influence the agency's decision-making. The workgroup is intended to center and prioritize people with disabilities and intersecting marginalized identities who experience compounded oppression.

  • This workgroup welcomes new members who have, work with or otherwise support those with disabilities or access and functional needs. This workgroup meets 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. on the third Monday of the month.

Thought Partners

Thought Partners are community leaders who advise the Department of Health in its policies, practices and programs to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes, acting as trusted messengers and bridges for communities facing systemic racism and oppression. DOH is accountable to Thought Partners and Thought Partners are accountable to each other and to the communities they serve. 

  • Thought Partners meet regularly on a range of workstreams. Learn more.