Molina Healthcare of Washington Donates $10,000 to Peninsula College Foundation to Support Addiction Studies Curriculum Redesign
Media Contact: Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthCare.Com, (562) 951-1588
SEATTLE, Sept. 22, 2026 – Molina Healthcare of Washington (“Molina”) provided a $10,000 grant to Peninsula College Foundation to support the redesign of their Addiction Studies curriculum and strengthen the educational pathway to its Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health (“BAS-BH”) program.
In Washington, more than 1.2 million residents live with a mental health condition, while 500,000 live with a substance use disorder. Yet access to care remains out of reach for many. More than 2.8 million Washingtonians live in communities with too few mental health professionals, and 30% of adults report being unable to get needed counseling or therapy. Addressing these gaps requires an accessible education pathway that prepares future professionals to serve their communities.
“In addition to updating coursework, we’re developing a more seamless transition from Addiction Studies into the BAS-BH program, creating flexible entry and exit points for students, and building partnerships with Washington’s four-year institutions to support transfer into master’s degree programs,” said Suzy Ames, president of Peninsula College. “While Molina’s funding is primarily dedicated to the curriculum redesign, it supports this larger initiative to improve educational and workforce pathways for behavioral health students.”
As students return to campus for the fall semester, Molina’s investment will help Peninsula College strengthen the educational pathway into behavioral health careers. Funding will support the redesign of the College’s Addiction Studies curriculum, which serves as the primary pathway to its BAS-BH program. The updated curriculum will reflect current research, industry best practices, and the evolving needs of community employers, while more closely aligning associate- and bachelor’s-level coursework.
“Peninsula College is paving the way for a new, specialized learning model designed to meet the needs of students entering the behavioral health workforce,” said Dr. Jay Fathi, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Washington. “Through Molina’s grant, this work can help inform stronger education and workforce pathways across Washington, helping prepare professionals to respond to the state’s behavioral health needs and support lasting solutions.”
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About Molina Healthcare of Washington
Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programs in Washington. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Washington, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About Peninsula College Foundation
Founded in 1996, the Peninsula College Foundation is an independent charitable organization with the mission to support Peninsula College’s students and programs. Collaborating with its all-volunteer board of directors and community partners, the Foundation works to reduce economic barriers to education on the North Olympic Peninsula to meet the needs of its residents and the local workforce.