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January 9, 2024
 Over $7.2 million in funding approved to support mental health, chemical dependency programs in Kitsap County
The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners approved funding recommendations on Nov. 13, 2023 for over $7.2 million that will be distributed in 2024 to 30 local agencies and organizations. The funds are generated from the 1/10th of 1 percent sales and use tax designated for mental health, chemical dependency and therapeutic court services.
"Locally collected funds directly support essential programs benefiting our most vulnerable community members," said Commissioner Katie Walters, chair of the Board of County Commissioners. "These programs play a vital role in improving the mental health and well-being of thousands in Kitsap, actively preventing and reducing the impacts of behavioral health within our jail, court systems, emergency medical care, crisis services and shelters."
View a list of recipients, grant awards and programs funded at the program website..
The funding recommendations were presented to Commissioners by the Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Therapeutic Court Community Advisory Committee, an 11-member, commissioner-appointed group of volunteers. The committee reviews applications, conducts interviews and considers each proposal in relation to the county's Continuum of Care, a strategic plan created in 2021 to guide behavioral health services. A total of $12.5 million was requested in 2023, showing the growth of programs and services and need for funding.
"The work of the advisory committee is not an easy task. The thorough examination of each application is a tedious endeavor made more difficult by knowing each proposal offers services that would benefit our community greatly," noted Hannah Shockley, staff coordinator of the program with the Kitsap County Department of Human Services. "Refining the recommendations to fit the available budget is unequivocally heart-rendering.”
County Commissioners express their gratitude to the committee for the many hours contributed to complete the application and recommendation review process.
The county's 1/10th of 1 percent treatment retail sales and use tax was established in 2014 to support behavioral health. Funding awarded for 2024 will be distributed to a variety of therapeutic court programs including juvenile, adult and veterans drug courts; with continued support for law enforcement, housing stabilization, reentry coordinators, and crisis intervention staff.
New program funding in 2024 for youth counseling services, recovery support networks and resource liaisons was also included. Funded organizations providing housing and support for individuals with behavioral health challenges are Kitsap Rescue Mission, Kitsap Homes of Compassion, Pendleton Place, Eagles Wings, West Sound Treatment Center, Kitsap Community Resources, and Scarlet Road.
Details on the 1/10th of 1 percent sales tax program, strategic plan, annual reports and previous funding awards are available at this website.
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