In 2015, a King County Healthy Needs Assessment showed south King County, including Auburn, as the most negatively impacted areas in the state for health, housing and economic opportunity measures.

To address these concerning findings, the Blue Ribbon Committee was formed by Mayor Backus with the goal of transforming the City of Auburn into the healthiest city in Washington by 2020.

Learn more about the Blue Ribbon Committee

Plan of Action

The mission of the Blue Ribbon Committee is to optimize the health and well-being of all through education, participation, and innovation.

Nine major health issues were identified by the committee as top concerns for Auburn, based on the Community Health Needs Assessment. Of those nine health issues, the Committee identified three critical issues to focus on first:

1. Healthy weight in adults and children
2. Behavioral/mental health and substance abuse
3. Maternal and child health

Below are some resources that address these areas of focus:

The R.E.A.D.Y. Program ©
Watch the R.E.A.D.Y. Program video
The R.E.A.D.Y. (Real Emergency Aid Depends on You) Program is designed to provide information about common behavioral and mental health issues through a one-hour course that teaches basic, practical skills to use in emergency mental health situations and crises. The program provides direction on how to communicate with someone until first responders arrive on site and what to expect once they do arrive. If you are interested in additional information about the program, please email [email protected].

Teen R.E.A.D.Y.
Watch Teen R.E.A.D.Y.
In the fall of 2019, the Blue Ribbon Committee released Teen R.E.A.D.Y., a shortened version of the full R.E.A.D.Y. program designed specifically for student audiences.

Auburn's Healthier by the Minute Videos
Healthy cooking doesn't have to be hard or take a long time. 
Check out our series of 60-second videos for ideas to jumpstart your own healthy meals at home!

Watch the other Healthier by the Minute videos on WatchAuburn.

Naloxone and Narcan: Where To Find It
Naloxone and Narcan are drugs that can be administered to stop a fatal opioid drug overdose. The Blue Ribbon Committee has gathered a list of Auburn pharmacies where these drugs can be purchased or ordered.
View Locations (Last update 4/17)

*If there are additional Auburn pharmacies which stock these drugs, please email [email protected] and we will add them to our list.

Toolkit From Task Force To Combat The Heroin Epidemic

Congressman Dave Reichert recently sent the Blue Ribbon Committee a comprehensive toolkit of resources to assist with substance abuse and addiction in our region. The toolkit includes information and resources for those suffering from addiction, as well as family support tools, treatment and recovery support, and prevention services.
Read the full toolkit

The Blue Ribbon Committee is made up of volunteers including our clinical partner, MultiCare Health System, and representatives from seven major stakeholders: Auburn School District, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Green River College, Valley Cities Mental Health, Auburn Valley YMCA, HealthPoint, and Seattle-King County Public Health-Auburn.

Stay Connected

Stay up-to-date with the Committee

Current Areas of Focus

• Healthy weight in adults and children
• Behavioral/mental health, stress, substance abuse, and smoking/tobacco use
• Maternal and child health