Rochelle Hamilton (Ehattesaht First Nation, Tulalip Tribes descendant) is a tribal 988 advisor on KAI’s behavioral health transformation team, bringing over 20 years of experience in inclusive service transformation for vulnerable youth, elders, and families. Rochelle is a trailblazer in 988 and crisis response in Indian Country. She led the design, launch, and implementation of Washington State’s Native and Strong Lifeline (NSLL), the first American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) focused crisis lifeline within the National 988 system. Under her leadership, the NSLL became a fully Native-operated, culturally responsive service, supporting over 4,500 individuals in its first year. Rochelle also revitalized and reconfigured the Native Resource Hub (NRH), a vital statewide linkage system connecting AI/AN individuals to tribal health organizations (THOs). The NRH serves as both a follow-up program to the NSLL and a connector to all Washington State tribal and non-tribal behavioral health resources. Rochelle received her master of science degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University, a bachelor of arts degree in social sciences-political science from Washington State University, and an associate degree in arts and sciences from Everett Community College.
