Grays Harbor County Homeless Housing Task Force (HHTF)

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What is the Homeless Housing Task Force?

RCW 43.185C.160 requires each county to establish a homeless housing task force to develop a five-year homeless housing plan addressing short-term and long-term housing for homeless persons. If the county had not voted recently to create the task force, the state would have taken the lead on this effort.

1. Pursuant to RCW 43.185C.160, the Task Force:
   1. Monitors and makes recommendations for modifications to the County five-year homeless housing plan which addresses short-term and long-term housing for homeless or at risk of homelessness persons;
   2. Establishes guidelines consistent with statewide homeless housing plans;
   3. Identifies next steps toward implementation of housing goals for the County;
   4. Plans and sets goals for expenditure of available funding;
   5. Provides information to the community members; and
   6. Provides updates to the County Board of Health and to the County Board of Commissioners.

The Board of County Commissioners approved and signed Resolution No. 2023-094 establishing the Homeless Housing Task Force September 12, 2023. Applications for the Task Force were due October 19, 2023.

Following receipt and review of applications a subcommittee of the Board of Health evaluated the applications and created the opportunity to schedule interviews with all applicants. They recommended appointees to the Board of Commissioners February 20, 2024. The resolution naming membership of the Task Force, Resolution 2024-025 was approved and signed February 20th, 2024.

Approved Bylaws

Updated DRAFT Grays Harbor County Five-Year Homeless Housing Plan: 2025-2030

Click Here

Click Here to access the HHTF meetings and materials

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Request for Proposals

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CLOSED - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SERVICES FOR EVICTION PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Grays Harbor County (County) has issued a “Request for Proposals” to interested and qualified agencies to provide rental assistance and utility assistance to qualifying households for the time period of May 2023-June 2025. The purpose of this assistance is to attempt to prevent evictions. Applicants must provide a proposal and budget that covers how their agency will provide the noted deliverables for one or more of the available program areas under the Eviction Prevention program.

Public Service programs:

• Rental and Utility Assistance and associated operational costs.

• Support of outreach, communication, technical assistance, and/or provision of Rental and Utility Assistance to serve historically disadvantaged populations.

The request for proposal (RFP) is intended for community providers with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully deliver services to individuals who are at risk of homelessness and who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income in a way that aligns with the Department of Commerce’s Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) guidelines.

This RFP formally opens on February 22nd, 2023 and closes on March 17th, 2023.

The full RFP can be found at: https://www.healthygh.org/directory/graysharborerap

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:

Grays Harbor County Public Health
Attn: Natali Burgess
2109 Sumner Avenue
Aberdeen, WA 98520
natali.burgess@graysharbor.us

The applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with EVICTION PREVENTION APPLICATION.

Applications and related materials must be received no later than March 17, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. to be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Any questions related to this application may be directed to:

Natali Burgess: Housing Program Coordinator
E-mail: natali.burgess@graysharbor.us
Phone: 360-500-4078

ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE RELATED TO THIS OPEN RFP ARE DUE ON MARCH 10.

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Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process.  This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal.  Furthermore, the RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

Harbor Strong Coalition

Home > Harbor Strong Coalition

Harbor Strong Coalition

The Harbor Strong Coalition’s mission is to prevent and reduce substance abuse and related problems to youth, adults, and families by providing leadership, education and community partnerships and promoting a healthy, positive lifestyle.

Grays Harbor County Public Health staff serve as the Harbor Strong Coalition Coordinator.

In efforts to expand community awareness regarding youth cannabis and commercial tobacco prevention efforts in our community, we have developed a bilingual community newsletter! . This newsletter will continue to be shared out on a quarterly basis.

English summer Newsletter

boletín de verano español

English Newsletter - April 2023

Spanish Newsletter - April 2023

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CLOSED: Request for Proposals for Medication Lock Boxes

This RFP has closed.

Grays Harbor County has issued a “Request for Proposals” (RFP) for the intent of contracting with the lowest bidder to sell medication lock boxes to the County, to later be distributed through the Harbor Strong Coalition and MyTOWN Coalition. The qualified medication lock box supplier will be identified as having interlocking devices available for sale upon request of the County. The qualified supplier will be used to supply medication lock boxes, for a set rate per medication lock box, at a cost not to exceed $40,000 for one (1) year.

This RFP opens February 13, 2023. All applications are due by Tuesday, February 28, 2023 by 4:30pm Pacific Time.

CLICK HERE for the full Request for Proposals document and application.

For questions, please contact Haley Falley at haley.falley@graysharbor.us.

Questions and answers

Do lock boxes need to be individually packaged, or can they be bulk-packaged?
Lock boxes may be packaged individually or packaged in bulk.

Does the product have to be a medication lock box or a medication lock bag?
Grays Harbor County is accepting applications for all types of products that serve the purpose of locking medications securely.

What type of lock is needed for the product you are looking for?
Lockable products by way of a combination lock, key, or padlock are acceptable.

Approximately how many boxes do you expect to buy?

Grays Harbor County will purchase boxes based on the size, type, and cost of each product. This will be determined by the product proposed through the RFP and the cost to each product to not exceed $40,000 for the contract period.  

Would you want the quantity to be delivered in one release, or do you expect to make multiple smaller orders over the course of a year?

Funding priorities for the coalitions are subject to change. However, we will likely have a large purchase at the beginning of the contract in addition to multiple small orders over the course of the contract. Our coalitions would like to resupply as soon as possible.

Do you intend to select and order just one size, or do you foresee ordering a variety of sizes?

The size choices of the medication lock boxes will depend on what is proposed by the applicant, product availability, and by price breakdown. Our coalitions have purchased a variety of sizes of lock boxes in the past.

Must each box be keyed differently/uniquely, or can all boxes be keyed alike (meaning that the same key would open any box)? 

Our coalitions will not have the capacity to track key codes, keys, or other locking methods for the recipient of the medication lock boxes. The recipient of the product will be in charge of either setting their own key code or maintaining possession of their key or other device method.

COVID-19 Case Counts

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CDC Community Levels, community transmission and more local data

The CDC updates its COVID-19 Community Level and other information each Thursday. Go to the COVID-19 by County page and choose Washington and Grays Harbor County from the dropdown menu for weekly local data updates.

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Statewide and local data from the state Department of Health

The state Department of Health updates its COVID-19 data Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Go to the state Department of Health COVID-19 data dashboard and click on Grays Harbor County on the map for detailed case rates, vaccination rates and more.

Guiding Good Choices

What is Guiding Good Choices?

Guiding Good Choices emphasizes strong family bonds as the key that motivates preteens to follow family guidelines and stay on course toward better health and educational outcomes as teenagers.

In five or six sessions, parents and caregivers learn specific actions that promote healthy development and reduce risky behaviors in the teen years. Home practice and weekly family  meetings build family connections and help families apply skills in real life.

To register click the link: Tinyurl.com/FallGGC21

Questions? Call 360-532-8631 ext.4354

Click here to downlaod “Guiding Good Choices” flyer.

Veterans' resources

Home > Veterans' resources

Veteran’s Advisory Board Meeting:

December 3rd at 2:00pm

Commissioner’s Large Meeting Room, Montesano

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Veterans Relief Fund Ombudsman/Dedicated Service Officer

Gwyn Tarrence has been selected as your Veterans Relief Fund Ombudsman.

Tarrence is a Marine Corps veteran with a long history of service to her fellow veterans. She is currently the commander of American Legion Post 5 in Aberdeen, taking the post initially in 2011. Tarrence is a veterans service officer, operating through the Veterans Connections Cafe in Westport and through Stafford Creek Corrections Center.

As your Ombudsman, she is available to help you navigate the benefits the Veterans Relief Fund has to offer. Contact her at 360-660-2640 or veteranrelief@graysharbor.us.

Gwyn Tarrence

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Veterans' Advisory Board

The Grays Harbor County Veterans' Advisory Board was established by Grays Harbor County Resolution 2005-65. The board provides advice to the Grays Harbor County Board of County Commissioners on the needs of local indigent veterans.

The Veterans' Advisory Board meets on the first Wednesday of March, June, September, and December at 2pm in the Commissioners' office located at 100 West Broadway, Suite #1 in Montesano, WA.

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For more information about Veterans' Advisory Board meetings and materials contact (360) 500-4069 or wweber@graysharbor.us.

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Veterans' Relief Fund

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW 73.08) requires all 39 counties to establish a Veterans' Relief Fund.

The Veterans' Relief Fund may be able to help with rent, utilities, food, and other needs.

This is a fund of last resort and in no way can it be construed as a veteran's benefit. 

All applications must be filed with local service officers at veteran support organizations.  Please contact your local service officer to discuss making an application.

To apply for assistance from Grays Harbor County Veterans' Relief Fund, you must have been honorably discharged, have been a resident of Grays Harbor County for at least 6 months, and have income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

When contacting service officers, it may be helpful to bring:

• a copy of your DD-214

• proof of residency

• proof of income

• any shut-off or eviction notices requiring payment

If you are denied assistance or feel that you have been discriminated against, you have the right to file an appeal and request that a full explanation of the reasons why you were denied assistance be put in writing.

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Service officer contact information

Amvets Post 1926

Montesano
315 S Main Street
Montesano, WA 98563
(360) 249-3644
Amvetspost1926@outlook.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars Henry L. Robb Post 1135

407 Seventh Street
Hoquiam, WA 98550
(360) 532-0510
vfwpost1135@yahoo.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2455

315 S Main Street
Montesano, WA 98563
(360) 249-3644
vfw2455monte@gmail.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5564

156 N Summit Road
McCleary, WA 98557
(360) 470-2387
vfwpost5564@gmail.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8956

953 Trent Ct SE
Ocean Shores, WA 98569
(360) 591-7595
post8956@coastaccess.com

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter #512

Ocean Shores, WA 98563
(360) 940-9008
retiredvance@gmail.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 224

112 W First Street
Aberdeen, WA 98520
(360) 533-1338 nancyholderman@comcast.net

American Legion Post 5

112 W 1st Street
Aberdeen WA 98520
(360) 580-0561
gtarrence@rocketmail.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1948

Elma Grange
401 Waldrip Street
Elma, WA 98541
(360) 482-6161
benjamin.g.scofield@gmail.com

American Legion Post 140

211 E Pacific Avenue
Westport WA 98595
(928) 636-4515
767GJG@gmail.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3057

211 E Pacific Avenue
Westport, WA 98595
(360) 268-9543
vfw2455monte@gmail.com

Veteran’s Advisory Board Members:

Vice Chair - Mike Harris: mikeharris1844@gmail.com

Chair - Bill Wickwire: santabill4425@gmail.com

Reese Wade: reesewade@hotmail.com

Kenji Seta: kenjiseta@gmail.com

Russ Russell: olrussell@hotmail.com

Board of County Commissioner representative - Georgia Miller: Georgia.Miller@graysharbor.us

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Additional resources for Veterans

A study conducted by NIH (National Institute of Health) found that veterans are twice as likely to develop dementia. Aside from the normal aging process, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder make veterans more vulnerable to dementia than the general population.

To help veterans and their families, MemoryCare.com created a guide to memory care for veterans. This resource goes over dementia in detail and shares treatment options as well as available VA programs and resources.

You can view the guide here: https://www.memorycare.com/veterans/.

Quitting Tobacco

Quitting tobacco is a great way to improve your health. You have probably heard about the harms of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting smoking, but did you know that your body starts to heal just minutes after your last cigarette?

Of course, nothing worthwhile is easy; it can be hard to quit because nicotine, a chemical in tobacco and many e-cigarettes/vapes, is very addictive – similar to cocaine and heroin. It can take several tries to quit for good, but the more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed on your next try. So, remember: Never quit quitting.

“The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed on your next try.”

— Washington State Department of Health

Vaping, or use of e-cigarettes, is not a proven way to quit tobacco. In fact, e-cigarettes with nicotine are tobacco products, so if you vape nicotine, you are still using tobacco. Most people who try to quit smoking with e-cigarettes are not able to completely switch to them, which – according to the U.S. Surgeon General – is the only way to achieve the health benefits of quitting smoking. And, even people who can completely switch are often still addicted to the nicotine, and e-cigarettes are not safe.

Smoking and vaping are expensive, so save your money and rely on free, proven quitting methods, including counseling and FDA-approved medication.

Free Help Quitting Now

You can quit for free. Ask your health care provider about quitting or choose from these free programs to help you quit and stay quit.

Washington State Quitline

Since 2000, the Washington State Quitline has helped tens of thousands of Washingtonians quit smoking. You can get free, confidential, one-on-one counseling from a Quit Coach, and may be eligible for free medication to help you quit smoking, vaping, or other tobacco. Register by:

• Calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669);

• Visiting quitline.com; or

• Texting READY to 200-400.

Not ready just yet? Click here to learn more about the Quitline and other counseling options.

2Morrow Health smartphone app

2Morrow Health is a free, anonymous, self-guided app-based program that teaches you how to deal with unhelpful thoughts, urges, and cravings caused by nicotine. You can create a profile, select a quit date, and track your progress in quitting vaping, smoking, or other tobacco use.

“2Morrow’s app-based, smoking-cessation therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in randomized clinical trials and is two to three times more effective than unaided smoking cessation.”

— Harvard Business Review

Click here to learn more about the 2Morrow Health app.

This is Quitting

This is Quitting is a new text-to-quit vaping program for young people ages 13-24. Text VAPEFREEWA to 88709 to sign up.

Click here to learn more about This is Quitting.

Additional resources

Websites

• Self-help options

• Benefits of Quitting (CDC)

• How to Quit (CDC)

• Tips From Former Smokers® (CDC)

• How Much Will You Save? (NIH)

• Making a Plan to Quit Smokeless Tobacco (American Cancer Society)

• Helping Someone Quit Smoking (American Lung Association)

• Helping Teens Quit Smoking and Vaping (American Lung Association)

• Tobacco use and dependence treatment

• Vaping Associated Lung Injury

Documents (PDF)

• You Can Quit Smoking: Here’s How (CDC)

• What You Need to Know About Quitting Smoking – Advice from the Surgeon General (HHS)

• Tobacco and Vapor 21 – Information for 18-20 year-olds about the new law

Request for Proposals Community Health

Closed

Request for Proposals for Early Childhood Support System Gaps Analysis

Submitter list:
Health Management Associates, Inc. - submitted 12/15/2022

Grays Harbor County has issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide an early childhood support system gaps analysis. The County is seeking consulting services to produce an early childhood support system gaps analysis that will identify strengths/weaknesses and aid in the strategic planning and development of early childhood programs and services aimed at improving the health of our communities and meeting the populations’ needs that we serve. The gaps analysis report and prioritization process shall build on existing data, system maps, community conversations, etc. whenever possible. The gaps analysis will provide concise, reliable information about the needs, current service system, and opportunities to improve services among Grays Harbor County’s children ages birth to 5 years old.   

This RFP opens December 1st, 2022 and all proposals are due no later than December 16th at 4:30 p.m.

The full Request for Proposals document/application instructions can be found here.

Questions contact Erin Schreiber, eschreiber@graysharbor.us

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CLOSED Request for Proposals - Behavioral Health Gaps Analysis

Grays Harbor County has issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide a behavioral health system gaps analysis. The County is seeking consulting services to produce a behavioral health system gaps analysis that will aid in the strategic planning and development of behavioral health programs and services aimed at improving the health of our communities and meeting the populations’ needs that we serve. The gaps analysis report and prioritization process shall build on existing data, system maps, community conversations, etc. whenever possible. The gaps analysis shall include all components on the service continuum including but not limited to prevention, outpatient, inpatient, and crisis services.

The Request for Proposals will open April 20th and proposals are due no later than May 18th at 4:30 p.m.

The full Request for Proposals document/application instructions can be found here.

Any questions please contact Cassie Lentz at clentz@graysharbor.us

Questions and Answers:

Question: Is there any flexibility on the 3-month timeline (7/1--9/30) for delivery of services? Could the duration be extended?

Answer: This is the timeline approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

Question: Our headquarter are in another state and we do not have a Washington State business license per se. Does this preclude us from consideration? Are you specifically seeking a local vendor?

Answer: Relevant credentials refers to the ability to do business and receive payment in the state of Washington. We require contractors to complete a W9 and set up a vendor account with the County to receive payment – the vendor must be able to submit all necessary information. The RFP does not include a preference or requirement for local vendors.

Question: The application components include “the Summary Pages of the most recently completed Independent Audit Letter showing significant findings and issues and, as appropriate, evidence of adequate responses to findings and issues identified. “ While we are in good financial standing, as a young small business we have not had an independent audit. Again, does this preclude us from consideration?

Answer:  If you do not have an independent audit please submit documentation of your agency’s good financial standing, including any relevant fiscal policies and procedures related to quality assurance.

Question: Are stakeholders prepared to share cost information?

Answer: Grays Harbor County can point the contractor to known data sources and/or stakeholders who could provide this cost information. We cannot guarantee stakeholders can or will share specific cost information. Where specific cost information is not available reasonable estimates would be acceptable for the purpose of this analysis.

Question: What data and from whom will be available for this work?

Answer: Grays Harbor County Public Health will disclose data in its possession provided that such disclosure is necessary to achieve the project’s goals and complies with applicable confidentiality and data security requirements. We are not requesting new primary research be completed, only analysis of existing data and information.

Question: Our agency performs work on rate basis rather than a cost reimbursement basis. Will a proposal be excluded if the vendor does not have the capacity to operate the program on a cost-reimbursement basis?

Answer: Yes – the County must reimburse for expenses incurred and cannot pay for services in advance.

Question: Under Part 3. Proposal Components, you require we submit Summary Pages of our internal audit. As a privately held organization, our firm considers our audited financial statements to be confidential and would not want these statements to become public record. Would you accept a written summary of our financial status or our latest Dun & Bradstreet report as evidence of our financial stability?

Answer: All proposal responses will be considered public record and applications must be complete and include required components. We are requesting documentation that there has been an independent audit completed and it did not identify any significant findings, or if findings were identified they have been remedied. We are not requiring financial statements and/or balance sheets.

Question: Will Gray’s Harbor Public Health be sharing data with the firm who is conducting the Gap analysis?

Answer: Grays Harbor County Public Health will disclose data in its possession provided that such disclosure is necessary to achieve the project’s goals and complies with applicable confidentiality and data security requirements.

Question: What data are available from Grays Harbor County Public Health and at what geographic level?

Answer: This question is too broad – please clarify.

Question: Does Gray Harbor County Public Health have a full list of BH providers, including address?

Answer: This is information GHPH can provide to successful contractors.

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CLOSED

Grays Harbor County (GHC) has issued a “Request for Proposals” to interested and qualified agencies to develop a Community Health Assessment (CHA) and a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). GHC is seeking consulting services to produce a CHA and CHIP that will aid in the strategic planning and development of public health programs and services aimed at improving the health of our communities and meeting the populations’ needs that we serve. The key functions of such a CHA includes:

A. Obtaining statistically valid information on the health status and socioeconomic/environmental factors related to the health of residents in the service area and surrounding neighborhoods.

B. Supplementation of the general population survey data currently available to us as an organization.

C. Ensuring community members, including those within a broad based

racial/ethnic/cultural/gender identity/sexual orientation/veteran status and linguistic minority group, are primary participants in the health assessment survey process. In addition, board members and health center staff, as well as educators, health-related professionals, local government, human service and community-based organizations, institutes of higher learning, and the private sector will be engaged at some level of the survey process. The survey process shall include stakeholder interviews and focus groups, as well as written survey responses.

D. Development of accurate comparisons to the state and national baseline of health measures utilizing the most current validated data.

E. Utilization of data obtained from the assessment to address the identified health needs of our service area.

This RFP is intended for providers with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully deliver a CHA and a CHIP. The RFP will open July 8, 2021 and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. August 31, 2021. Priority will be given to programs who can demonstrate capacity and procedures are in place to prioritize the completion of this project.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, the RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services. Successful applicants will work with Grays Harbor County staff to negotiate formal contracts with specific deliverables, timelines, and outcomes. Contracts may be structured to offer an opportunity to evaluate and revise as necessary after the initial twelve-month period of the agreement.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person to:

Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services

Attn: Mike McNickle

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

mmcnickle@graysharbor.us

Full Request for Proposals document can be found here.

Community Development Block Grant

Information for May 24th Community Development Block Grant Public Services Hearing

Grays Harbor County (“County”) is will be holding a hearing to proceed with this year’s application for a new contract for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services grant through Coastal Community Action Program targeting low and moderate-income persons in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. on May 24th, 2022 via zoom. Zoom link information will be posted at www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us.

The hearing will review an overview of the CDBG Public Services activities funded during the current fiscal year and proposed activities under the application for funding in the next fiscal year.

The deadline for the Department of Commerce to receive applications for 2022-23 is May, 31st, 2022.

Questions, comments, requests for access to the materials in a language other than English, and/or special accommodations during the public hearing please contact Natali Burgess at natali.burgess@graysharbor.us.

• Report/summary of funded activities for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year

• Proposed/DRAFT summary of activities for the 2022-23 Fiscal Year

Grays Harbor County has received funding through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus 1 (CDBG CV1) to provide a variety of types of assistance in the community for low and moderate income residents impacted by COVID-19. The County has two open funding opportunities for eligible agencies to submit proposals and documentation of experience and capacity to apply these funds.

CLOSED - Request for Proposals

Grays Harbor County has issued a “Request for Proposals” to interested and qualified agencies. Applicants must provide a proposal and budget that covers how their agency will provide the noted deliverables for one or more of the available program areas under the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CV1):

Public Service programs:

·         Mortgage assistance

·         Rental assistance

·         Utility Assistance

·         Security deposits and rental subsidies for clients exiting isolation/quarantine facility

The RFP will open December 17, 2020 and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. January 4, 2021. The County reserves the rights to reject any proposal that is incomplete or does not meet the requisite qualifications or to recommend contract amounts less than the maximum budget. This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal.  Furthermore, the RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services. 

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Cassie Lentz

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

clentz@graysharbor.us

Applications and related materials must be received no later than January 4 at 4:30 p.m. to be considered. The applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with CDBG CV1 DIRECT ASSISTANCE.

Full Request for Proposals and Application document can be found here.

CLOSED -Request for Proposals

Grays Harbor County has issued a “Request for Proposals” to interested and qualified agencies. Applicants must provide a proposal and budget that covers how their agency will provide the noted deliverables for one or more of the available program areas under the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CV1):

Microenterprise Assistance programs:

·         Direct assistance to microenterprise businesses

·         Technical assistance to microenterprise businesses

The RFP will open December 17, 2020 and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. January 4, 2021. The County reserves the rights to reject any proposal that is incomplete or does not meet the requisite qualifications or to recommend contract amounts less than the maximum budget. This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal.  Furthermore, the RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services. 

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Cassie Lentz

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

clentz@graysharbor.us

Applications and related materials must be received no later than January 4 at 4:30 p.m. to be considered. The applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with CDBG CV1 MICROENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE.

Full Request for Proposals and Application document can be found here.

Question and Answers:

Q: Are 501(c)6 organizations eligible?

A: Yes, as long as they do not use any of the funds for campaign purposes.

WIC

Home > WIC

The Grays Harbor County WIC office offers both in-person and phone appointments. To sign-up for WIC, give us a call today!

What is WIC?

• Nutrition and health information

• Breastfeeding support

• Free nutritious foods

• Health care services

• Referrals to other services

Who can get WIC?

• Pregnant women

• Breastfeeding women

• New mothers

• Infants

• Children up to the age of 5

 

For more information about WIC, please visit the Washington State Department of Health WIC web page.

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WIC Nutrition Program doesn’t discriminate.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

Email: program.intake@usda.gov

Fax: (202) 690-7442

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Washington State WIC Nutrition Program doesn’t discriminate.

Medical Reserve Corps

Home > Medical Reserve Corps

We continually work to protect your health and safety during emergencies and disasters.

We do this by detecting and investigating disease outbreaks, and containing their spread; providing medicine to those in need; informing and educating the public on taking safe actions; and supporting other agencies as members of one response team.

Are you interested in responding to the current COVID-19 crisis? Visit our Grays Harbor Public Health Volunteer Opportunities page for more information and our volunteer form.  

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The Grays Harbor Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a group of volunteers. They prepare for and respond to public health emergencies in our community.

If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities, please visit Grays Harbor County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or American Red Cross.

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• MRC members work together as a team.

• MRC members prepare people to take care of themselves and their families.

• MRC members provide supplemental aid during emergencies. This allows first responders to focus on the most threatening situations.

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There are two types of MRC volunteers: medical and non-medical.

Medical

• Dispensing antibiotics

• Injecting vaccines

• Reviewing health histories

• Patient care

• Triage

• Outreach and education

Non-medical

• Interpretation

• Staffing a call center to provide information

• Setting up equipment

• Greeting and directing people

• Volunteer recruitment

• HAM radio operation

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To learn more, visit the Medical Reserve Corps website.

Grays Harbor Family Support Program | Parents as Teachers

For more information about the PAT program call 360.532.8631.

Home > Grays Harbor Family Support Program | Parents as Teachers

Grays Harbor Parents as Teachers is a free family support program that helps children grow and develop to their full potential.

The program matches parents with a trained Parent Educator (PE). Your PE will meet with you in your home or a convenient location like your local library or park.  Your PE is a friendly, experienced person who can answer questions about your pregnancy or being a parent. Your PE can also help you find services that help you care for yourself and your children.

Housing Program Annual Update

Home > Housing & homelessness

Annual Housing System Performance Reports

We believe that everyone should have a safe and healthy place to live.

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To fulfill a 2018 legislative requirement, Grays Harbor County updated its local plan to address unmet housing needs.

The 2019-2024 Grays Harbor County Five Year Plan to Address Unmet Housing Needs was published in May 2019.

Each year following the end of the State Fiscal Year ( July - June) Public Health Housing program staff provide an overview of the housing system and progress made in an annual meeting.

Grays Harbor County has created and published annual reports to measure and share information about homeless system performance. These reports show progress the County has made in key benchmarks and provides data about services provided to clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

• NEW Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance, December 2025 (reporting period is July 2024 - June 2025)

  • English

  • Spanish

• Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance, September 2024 (reporting period is July 2023 - June 2024)

  • English

  • Spanish

• Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance (reporting period is July 2022 - June 2023)

  • English

  • Spanish

• Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance, October 2022 (reporting period is July 2021 - June 2022)

  • English

  • Spanish

• Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance, August 2021 (reporting period is July 2020 - June 2021)

• Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance, April 2021(reporting period is July 2019-June 2020)

• Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance, September 2019 (reporting period is July 2018-June 2019)

• Grays Harbor Homeless System Performance, August 2018 (reporting period is July 2017-June 2018)

Ensuring that all residents of Grays Harbor County have access to safe, adequate, affordable housing is crucial to improving the health of our community. We all benefit when everyone who calls Grays Harbor home has a healthy and safe place to live. Our providers and partners are doing difficult and meaningful work every day to serve some of our most vulnerable residents . . . . and they are making a difference.

However, currently in Grays Harbor County only 1 in 4 residents identified as homeless can find a safe place to live.  In addition, those looking for adequate housing and needing assistance can face a waiting time of over 3 years. It is critical we continue to find solutions to this crisis and ways to make housing more affordable and available. We have drafted a clear and comprehensive plan - heavily informed by a variety of partners – which outlines what the county can and will  do to address homelessness and affordable housing needs. Because we value transparency and straightforward communication, our plan also clearly outlines the anticipated unmet need – despite the continuation of existing services and expansion to new programming.

If you have questions, please contact Alex Blumenthal at ablumenthal@graysharbor.us or Natali Burgess at natali.burgess@graysharbor.us or 360-500-4040 at the Homeless Housing Department which is part of Public Health. In addition, all members of the Board of County Commissioners would be willing to talk to you to listen to your comments and concerns. It will take all of us to make a difference in the homelessness crisis within our County and to make affordable housing available to everyone.

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Public Health staff recently hosted a series of six workshops for our Board of County Commissioners to discuss what we know about the issue of homelessness, what resources and strategies we have to address the challenges, and how homelessness impacts a variety of stakeholders.

You can find the finalized materials shared at those workshops below, organized by topic/date.

• Workshop 1 – What do we know about homelessness in our community? (June 1st 11:00 a.m.)

  o   Guest speaker – Sarah Glorian, Lead Attorney for Northwest Justice Project Grays Harbor/Pacific County Offices

  o   Workshop recording:

• Visit this link: https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/board_of_county_commissioners/pav_doctypesrch.php

•  Enter 6/1/21 under “meeting date” and hit search

• Select 6/1/21 Morning Meeting

• The video/audio of the meeting will download and when complete you can open/view the video file

• The Housing Workshop begins at 30:00 into the video

  o   Workshop materials:

• Presentation Materials

• Point in Time Count Trends 2006-2020

• Workshop 2 – What funding do we have to address homelessness in our community? (June 8th 11:00 a.m.)

  o   Guest speaker – Tedd Kelleher, Housing Assistance Unit at the Department of Commerce

  o   Workshop recording:

• Visit this link: https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/board_of_county_commissioners/pav_doctypesrch.php

• Enter 6/8/21 under “meeting date” and hit search

• Select 6/8/21 Morning Meeting

• The video/audio of the meeting will download and when complete you can open/view the video file

• The Housing Workshop begins approximately 60:00 into the video

  o   Workshop materials: Presentation Materials

• Workshop 3 – How does Grays Harbor County invest to address homeless now? (June 15th 10:30 a.m.)

  o   Guest speaker – Gloria Callaghan and Jana Ferrier, Domestic Violence Center of Grays Harbor

  o   Workshop recording is posted:

• Visit this link: https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/board_of_county_commissioners/pav_doctypesrch.php

• Enter 6/15/21 under “meeting date” and hit search

• Select 6/15/21 Morning Meeting

• The video/audio of the meeting will download and when complete you can open/view the video file

• The Housing Workshop begins approximately 65 minutes into the video

  o   Workshop materials: Presentation Materials

• Workshop 4 – Case Management and Service Delivery Model (June 29th 10:00 a.m.)

  o   Guest speaker – Craig Dublanko, CEO of Coastal Community Action Program

  o   Workshop recording is posted:

• Visit this link: https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/board_of_county_commissioners/pav_doctypesrch.php

• Enter 6/29/21 under “meeting date” and hit search

• Select 6/29/21 Morning Meeting

• The video/audio of the meeting will download and when complete you can open/view the video file

• The Housing Workshop begins at 17 minutes into the video

  o   Workshop materials Presentation Materials

• Workshop 5 – Grays Harbor’s Continuum of Care (July 6th, 10:00 a.m.)

  o   Guest speaker – Sarah Glorian (client stories), Chief Steve Shumate – Aberdeen Police Department, Cindy Stutesman – Seattle Union Gospel Mission, Jim Sorenson – Coastal Community Action Program, Cathy Hinds – Home Sweet Home Property Management, Dave Murnen – NeighborWorks Grays Harbor

  o   Workshop recording is posted:

• Visit this link: https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/board_of_county_commissioners/pav_doctypesrch.php

• Enter 7/6/21 under “meeting date” and hit search

• Select 7/6/21 Morning Meeting

• The video/audio of the meeting will download and when complete you can open/view the video file

• The Housing Workshop begins approximately 30 minutes into the video

  o   Workshop Materials: Presentation Materials

• Workshop 6 – Next Steps, Policy discussion for upcoming Homeless Housing Request for Proposals (August 3rd, 10:00 a.m.)

  o   Workshop recording will be posted:

• Visit this link: https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/board_of_county_commissioners/pav_doctypesrch.php

• Enter 08/03/21 under “meeting date” and hit search

• Select 08/03/21 Morning Meeting

• The video/audio of the meeting will download and when complete you can open/view the video file

• The Housing Workshop begins approximately 110 minutes (1:50 minutes) into the video

  o   Workshop materials:

• Presentation Materials

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Due to the COVID pandemic the 2019-20 report included a series of videos that reviews the primary components of our plan and provides updates on progress where we have them (video links below). Topics include how many people are homeless in our County, an overview of the 5 Year Plan and the strategies selected, and deeper dives into strategies to prevent homelessness in the first place, our emergency shelter system and rental assistance programs, and our work to intentionally increase affordable housing opportunities.

How Many People Experiencing Homelessness Live in Grays Harbor?

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What is Grays Harbor County’s Plan to Address Homelessness?

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What is Grays Harbor County doing to Prevent Homelessness?

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What is Grays Harbor County doing to house people experiencing homelessness?

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What is Grays Harbor County doing to increase Affordable Housing?

Housing

Home > Housing & homelessness

We believe that everyone should have a safe and healthy place to live.

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CLOSED — Request for Proposals for an Housing Needs Assessment

Grays Harbor County has issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide a county-wide Housing Needs Assessment (the Assessment) that will be used to inform strategic planning options for expanding the housing supply at all income levels to attract private and nonprofit investment. This work would be built upon the County’s 2025 Housing Summit and ongoing discussions about barriers and opportunities for housing development in Grays Harbor County.

The full RFP can be found HERE

Questions and Answers:

Q: I am wondering if the Public Health consortium is interested in following the guidance from Washington Commerce on all elements to be included in a fully compliant Housing Needs Assessment. If so, there are elements in it that are not listed in the RFP, namely, a land capacity analysis, use of the Housing for All Planning Tool, among others. Should we assume that all such elements should be included in this scope of work, even if not distinctly mentioned? 

• Grays Harbor County is not under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and will be requiring what is outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP).                  

 Q: In relation to the strategies that are mentioned, is the contractor expected to present findings to leadership in each incorporated community in the County, or just to leadership that convenes for County level conversations?

• Findings will be presented at a Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) non-action meeting and in collaboration with Public Health.

 Q: Part 3 mentions "Most recently completed Independent Financial Audit showing findings and issues and, as appropriate, evidence of adequate responses to findings and issues identified. Please clarify budget for use of funds." As a small business, we have never conducted an Independent Financial Audit and have not met a need to do so. Would it be sufficient to supply our unaudited income statement and balance sheets from the past several tax years?

• Unaudited Income Statement and Balance Sheet.

 Q: Do you have a date by which the County would like the project to be completed, or is that at the discretion of the contractor? 

• The RFP requests that a projected timeline be included. Please see Part 2 – Scoring Criteria: Projected Timeline.    

 Q: When the RFP mention's "by way of the County's Gap analysis" which gap analysis does Public Health have in mind?     

• This was a clerical error. We do not have a gap analysis, as that is the purpose of the RFP.                 

Q: Related to "Ability to comply with the insurance requirements of the contract," would you like to see an attachment of our insurance coverage?

• By signing the threshold criteria, you are attesting that you have the required insurance coverage. These documents may be requested during contract negotiations.     

Q: Related to "Certification regarding debarment," what form of document is expected to meet this requirement?

• You are attesting you are not debarred by the federal government, as reflected on Sam.gov.

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CLOSED — Request for Proposals for a Feasibility Analysis/Site Evaluation and Engineering Study

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) seeking qualified agencies to conduct a feasibility analysis/site evaluation and engineering study to determine whether a proposed property has the necessary infrastructure and capacity to support the installation of up to 16 modular affordable housing units. The purpose of the project is to address the noted scarcity of affordable housing in Grays Harbor County. Eligible applicants must follow the application process and instructions located at the end of this RFP.

This RFP is intended to seek proposals from housing providers, property owners, developers, or entities with legal authority/ownership to offer parcels of land located within Grays Harbor County, Washington, suitable for the development of affordable housing of up to up to 16 modular units. The objective is to identify viable property for housing development intended to support community needs and expand affordable housing options within the county. The specifics of what this RFP will fund are noted in the full RFP document.

This RFP will open on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, and all proposals are due by Thursday, March 5th, 2026, at 12 p.m.

The County requires the proposed applicant to have already the property location identified and as well requires overall site control. Priority will be given to entities who can demonstrate the capacity to conduct or contract out the services related to a feasibility analysis/site evaluation and engineering study on a property/properties under their authority and/or ownership.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County

c/o Mike McNickle

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

Email: mmcnickle@graysharbor.us

The Request for Proposals will open Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, and will close at 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 5th, 2026.

The following are the required documents for proposals to be submitted to Mike McNickle:

1. A cover letter attesting that the application submission is in compliance with stated Threshold Criteria.

2.  A completed Application including narrative response to “Key Elements and Budget”.

3. The most recently completed Independent financial Audit showing significant findings and issues and, as appropriate, evidence of adequate responses to findings and issues identified.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with the title: Feasibility Analysis/Site Evaluation and Engineering Study Application. Applications submitted after the due date of March 5th, 2026, at 12 p.m. will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and formalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by applicants in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

The full RFP can be found HERE

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CLOSED -- Request for Proposals — Management and Coordination of Housing System of Services

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a request for proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide management, coordination and service delivery of a Housing System of Services in Grays Harbor County.

This RFP is intended for an agency that is a registered non-profit organization, behavioral health provider, government entity and/or federally recognized tribe that has the necessary capacity and experience to successfully manage, coordinate, provide and/or contract out services to individuals who are literally homeless or at risk of being homeless.

The RFP will open May 13, 2025, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. May 26, 2025. Priority will be given to the agency who can demonstrate capacity and experience to provide the Housing System of Services to the most vulnerable clients.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, the RFP does not oblige the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

All successful applicants will be subject to an initial risk assessment prior to further recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners.

The successful applicant, upon formal approval from the Grays Harbor County Board of Commissioners, will work with Grays Harbor County staff to negotiate a formal contract that will include a budget with specific deliverables, timelines, and outcomes. The County will be responsible for monitoring the recipient of the Housing System of Services to ensure alignment with fund requirements and contract deliverables. The contract may be structured to offer an opportunity to evaluate and revise as necessary after the initial twelve-month period of the agreement.

Applications and related materials must be received no later than Monday, May 26, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. to be considered. The applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with HOUSING SYSTEM OF SERVICES.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Alex Blumenthal

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

ablumenthal@graysharbor.us

The full RFP can be found HERE

Due to May 26th being a holiday, applications will be accepted NO LATER than Tuesday, May 27th at 8:30 am

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1. When is the application due?

   • The RFP states the application is due by 4:30 on Monday, May 26th. Since May 26th is a holiday, application will be accepted no later than Tuesday, May 27th at 8:30 am.

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CLOSED—REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Grays Harbor County (“County”) is requesting proposals to provide outreach, communication, technical assistance, and/or rental and utility assistance (“Services”) to historically disadvantaged populations for the time period of October 2024 – June 2025. Services will be targeted at specific populations and will be directed and substantially controlled by people from the populations served. Successful bidder(s) will propose programs that embody the assisted population’s central values. Applicants must provide a proposal and budget that covers how their organization will provide deliverables for the available program areas under the Eviction Prevention Program.

This request for proposals (“RFP”) is intended for organizations with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully deliver services to individuals in historically disadvantaged populations who are at or below 80% of the Area Median Income in a way that aligns with the Department of Commerce’s “Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) guidelines”. This RFP is intended for organizations with the necessary capacity and experience using generally accepted accounting principles, administrative infrastructure, and the ability to operate services on a cost-reimbursement basis. The RFP will open August 13, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on September 10, 2024.

The full RFP can be found here.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Natali Burgess

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

natali.burgess@graysharbor.us.

The Request for Proposals will open August 13, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on September 10, 2024.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with EVICTION PREVENTION BY AND FOR APPLICATION. 

Applications submitted after the due date of September 10, 2024 at 4:30 pm will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and formalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by applicants in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

CLOSED - 05/15/2024 - Request for Proposals for “Tiny Home” Prototype and Exhibition Services

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to provide a prototype of a “tiny home”, commonly understood to be an independent, small-footprint dwelling, usually under 400 square feet, often on wheels. It is the intent of the County via this request and subsequent agreement to share the selected prototype with members of the public through a variety of public events at which the successful bidder will show and respond to questions about the prototype.  The scope of this project includes a “tiny home” prototype that could accommodate a single individual and does not necessarily include sanitation, cooking, or laundry facilities for the completed prototype. The County is interested in reviewing options for additional amenities (such as restroom facilities) onto the base model prototype. The prototype must be mobile/able to be transported to a variety of locations throughout the County during the contract period to be made available to the public. The County expects the protype would have a useful life at least five years from date of purchase. With this project, the County aims to strengthen communities by investing in a continuum of housing options including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing.  The resulting tiny home prototype purchased will be the property of Grays Harbor County.

Eligible applicants must submit a narrative response to the questions at the end of this RFP, a new project application, and budget.  

This RFP is intended for entities with the ability, capacity and experience to successfully show a variety of model prototypes for consideration and subsequent purchase of one model, and make available to the public the exhibition of a model/prototype “tiny home”. The RFP will open May 15, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. June 14, 2024.

The County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process.  This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal.  Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

Successful applicants will work with County staff to negotiate formal contracts with specific deliverables, timelines, and outcomes. The County will be responsible for contract compliance and monitoring all recipients of housing funds during purchase and performance by the successful bidder to ensure alignment with fund requirements and contract deliverables.

Estimated Calendar/Timeline*:
Issue RFP - May 15, 2024
Questions Due- June 3, 2024
Proposals Due - June 14, 2024
Proposal Subcommittee Review (if applicable) - June 2024
Recommendations provided to BOCC - June 2024
Agency Contract Development Process - June/July 2024
Project Start Date - July 1, 2024
Contract period - July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
*Timeline is approximate and subject to change without notice.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:

Grays Harbor County Public Health
Attn: Alex Blumenthal
2109 Sumner Avenue
Aberdeen, WA 98520
ablumenthal@graysharbor.us   

Applications and related materials must be received no later than Friday, June 14th at 4:30 p.m. to be considered. The applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with TINY HOME PROTOTYPE APPLICATION. 

Questions and Answers:

Question: The Project Start Date states July 1 and lists a contract period.  Does this mean the Prototype must be pre-built and ready by submission date?

Answer: Yes, the prototype must be pre-built.

Question: Where/who would be expected to store it?

Answer: This will be determined during contract negotiations

Question: Please clarify what the County is referring to at the top of page 4: “The County will require, when applicable, all subrecipients and vendors to certify they either meet or do not meet the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Princip, Uniform Administratively, and Audit Requirements. If the applicant indicates they do not meet or exceed the audit threshold, a copy of their single audit is required to be sent to County staff. Audit verification, risk assessment (if applicable), contract execution, and contract orientation must be completed prior to distribution of any funds.” What is the point of this?

Answer: To determine if this is applicable, following RFP submissions the County will review the “Subrecipient vs. Contractor” checklist to determine if the resulting contract will be a subrecipient or contractor agreement. If the contract is a subrecipient award we will proceed with a risk assessment where we will determine if these requirements apply to the contracted agency and ask them to provide documentation of compliance. Please refer to CFR Part 200 Uniform Admin Requirements here

Question: What do you mean by ‘Capacity to operate the project on a cost-reimbursement basis?” Especially for a For-Profit business? Will the apparently successful bidder only be reimbursed on a cost-basis only?  

Answer: The County can only reimburse actual and eligible expenses incurred and paid by the contracted entity, within the parameters of the fully executed contract. The contractor will be expected to perform deliverables outlined in the fully executed contract and provide documentation of actual and eligible expenses incurred and paid prior to reimbursement by the County.

Question: At what time and how will reimbursement occur? These terms will be determined in contract negotiations.

Answer: Typically the County provides payment within 30 days of received invoices that are determined to be complete, correct, and eligible per the contract.

Question: What do you mean by ‘complaint with government accounting systems’ and how is this definition determined? Please provide definition of ‘compliant’

Answer: Contractors will be expected to have accounting systems in place that can track your expenses, financial records, bookkeeping, timekeeping and other essential accounting needs specific to this contractual agreement, as well as direct and indirect cost allocation procedures if applicable in the terms of the contract.

Compliant definition is agreeing to meet/follow accordance with County rules and standards.

Question: The Liability Insurance amounts seem high for the amount in the RFP, why is that? Why is this amount in the project?

Answer: The liability insurance amounts are the minimum for all County contracts.

Question: Is there a Bond requirement? If so, what is the amount? What are they bonding to?

Answer: No bond requirement; county is not contracting for a construction project; asset must be already constructed.

Question: What do you mean by contract compliance and monitoring?

Answer: Contract compliance and Monitoring is the process where County staff verify and document the contractor is complying with all terms and conditions outlined in the contract. This also includes tracking the process and performance/status of what is being asking to complete in the contract (scope of work/deliverables) and administrative requirements such as such as timely and correct/complete invoice submission, documentation of outlined deliverables, documentation of required insurance coverage, documentation of any required policies and procedures as applicable, monthly monitoring meetings, etc…

This is the common process used to track the performance and status of contracts to ensure obligations are being fulfilled as contracted.

Question: For Threshold criteria when submitting the letter, what if the entity has not completed an independent audit for a for profit organization? What kind of audit are you looking for?

If the agency is not required to complete an audit (has received $750,000 or more in federal funds in the last year) the agency can note that in the threshold criteria letter.

 If the agency has completed an audit other than the single audit, the agency can note that.

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CLOSED - Request for Proposals now open - Capital Investment for Emergency Shelter

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals to interested and qualified agencies to purchase or designate a physical asset and obligate such real property to be used to provide emergency shelter for an indefinite period of time.

• Grays Harbor County is seeking to invest in real property obligated to support a continuum of emergency shelter services that prioritize safety, minimize negative health impacts of unsheltered homelessness, and seeks to proactively engage individuals experiencing homelessness with necessary and available services in a coordinated way. The County seeks to provide funds to purchase and/or develop physical asset(s) that will assist our community to meet the basic needs of residents accessing services and quickly work to connect them to available and requested services to increase their stability and well-being. These capital investments and resulting services should be designed and implemented in coordination and collaboration with broad stakeholder engagement.

The RFP is intended for agencies with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully purchase, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate physical assets designed to provide emergency shelter to individuals who are literally homeless in a way that aligns with the 2019-2024 Grays Harbor Plan to Address Homelessness and Department of Commerce’s “Consolidated Homeless Grant Guidelines.” The RFP will open March 5, 2024, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2024.

Applicants to receive and implement funds for capital purchase/development of emergency shelter assets will be responsible for identifying ongoing, sustainable operating funds and/or service provider(s) to deliver direct services. This RFP and subsequent contract DOES NOT obligate Grays Harbor County to provide funding for ongoing operations of the resulting shelter.

The full RFP can be found here.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Natali Burgess

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

natali.burgess@graysharbor.us.

The Request for Proposals will open March 5, 2024 and will close at 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2024.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with HOUSING APPLICATION - Proposals for Capital Investment for Emergency Shelter Capacity. 

Applications submitted after the due date of April 30, 2024 at 4:30 pm will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject all submittals and to waive irregularities and formalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not oblige the County to pay any costs incurred by applicants in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

 Questions and Answers

Question: Has a shelter location ever found/established for a permanent shelter?

Answer: No, no specific site has been discussed or approved.

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CLOSED Request for Proposals - Rural Modular Housing development

Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to interested and qualified agencies to expand Affordable Housing units in the form of Modular Housing. The purpose of the project is to address housing disparities in rural locations within Grays Harbor County. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant hardship to many households who are struggling with rent or locating affordable housing because of economic distress. 1,2 With this project, the County aims to build stronger communities by investing in housing and neighborhoods. Eligible applicants must submit a narrative response to the questions at the end of this RFP, a new project application, and budget.

• Modular Housing Units for Affordable housing to serve low-moderate income residents in more rural areas of Grays Harbor County. Funds for this project include ARPA funding for the purpose of meeting affordable housing needs.

This RFP is intended for housing providers, nonprofits, rural city council entities and other eligible local service providers with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully acquire land and purchase modular units for affordable housing within the more rural communities of Grays Harbor County. The RFP will open November 8th, 2023, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. November 27th, 2023. Although the County does not require prior site ID, location identification and site control is preferred. Priority will be given to entities who can demonstrate prior experience. The County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process. This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their proposal. Furthermore, this RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

Questions must be submitted in writing to clentz@graysharbor.us by November 15, 2023.

You can find the full Request for Proposals document here.

Homeless Housing Task Force

The annual housing system performance reports are now available. Click here for more information.

Grays Harbor County has created and published annual reports to measure and share information about homeless system performance. These reports show progress the County has made in key benchmarks and provides data about services provided to clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The October 2022 Housing Stakeholder Materials discussing the 2021-22 System Performance Measures and 5 Year Plan Update can be found here.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

CLOSED OCT. 23 2023
Grays Harbor County (“County”) has issued a Request for Proposals to interested and qualified agencies to provide cold weather emergency shelter services. Applicants must submit a narrative response to the questions at the end of this RFP, a new project application, and a proposed budget.  

• Cold Weather Shelter for literally unsheltered clients during the cold weather season (November 2023-March 2024). The County reserves the right to extend the period of performance beyond March 31, 2024, depending on community need, subcontractor performance, and/or available funds.

The RFP is intended for housing providers with the necessary capacity and experience to successfully deliver services to individuals who are literally homeless in a way that aligns with the 2019-2024 Grays Harbor Plan to Address Homelessness and Department of Commerce’s “Consolidated Homeless Grant Guidelines” The RFP will open September 6, 2023, and all proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on October 23, 2023. Priority will be given to programs who can demonstrate capacity and procedures are in place to prioritize the most vulnerable clients and work alongside literally homeless clients to remove barriers and successfully help them obtain and maintain permanent housing. 

The full RFP can be found here.

Applications may be submitted via e-mail, mail, or in person at:  

Grays Harbor County Public Health

Attn: Natali Burgess

2109 Sumner Avenue

Aberdeen, WA 98520

natali.burgess@graysharbor.us.

The Request for Proposals will open September 6th and will close at 4:30 p.m. on October 23rd.

Applicant assumes full responsibility for the delivery method chosen. Applications must be clearly marked with HOUSING APPLICATION - Proposals for Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Services. 

Applications submitted after the due date of October 23rd, 2023 at 4:30 pm will not be considered. Applicants accept all risks of late delivery of mailed submittals regardless of fault.

Grays Harbor County reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive irregularities and informalities in the submittal and evaluation process.  This RFP does not obligate the County to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of their statement of qualifications.  Furthermore, the RFP does not obligate the County to accept or contract for any expressed or implied services.

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Suicide prevention

Home > Suicide prevention

We are glad you are here.

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IT’S OK TO NOT BE OK

HELP IS HERE 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR

Call or text 988, or live chat at 988lifeline.org

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The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

GET MORE INFORMATION ON 988 SERVICES AT https://988lifeline.org/

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Additional resources

The Trevor Project
Offers suicide intervention services for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24 through telephone, text, or chat.

Trans Lifeline
Offers suicide intervention services for people who are gender non-comforming.

Teen Link
A resource line for teens, staffed by trained teens.

Veterans’ Crisis Line
Connect with a crisis responder over the phone, chat, or text.

Other help

NowMattersNow
Videos that hack suffering.

ThriveGrays.org
Free online therapy and resources for mental health and substance problems.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Accurate, up-to-date information. Free trainings, toolkits, research, and data. Culturally-specific information.

We R Native

For Native youth, by Native youth.

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Build your skills in preventing suicide

Get trained in QPR - Question, Persuade, Refer.

This 60-90 minute training can help you:

1. Know the warning signs.
   2. Know how to talk with someone about your concerns for them.
   3. Know how to get them help.

Trainings are available in English or Spanish.

FREE individual and corporate training is available, sponsored by CHOICE Regional Health Network - click here for information and upcoming class dates or call 360-754-7629 to register.

Online and in-person training for a fee available from the QPR Institute. Visit qprinstitute.com for more information, online training opportunities and a list of nearby in-person instructors.

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Learn the 5 steps to help someone in crisis.

1. Ask

2. Keep them safe

3. Be there

4. Help them connect

5. Follow up

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Send a caring message.

Send a note, text, or email to show someone that you care about them.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Be non-judmental.

Resist any urges to tell people what to do.

Instead of "I care about you and I want you to call me as soon as you get this,"

try, "I care about you. If you ever want to talk, drop me a line."

Show them that you believe in them.

Even if you are worried about them, focus on how much you believe in them, or have hope for them.

Instead of "I love you and am worried about you because..."

try, "I love you and I know you've been through a lot and are strong."

Be yourself, and no one else.

If you are a friend, remember that you do not need to play the role of a parent, therapist, or faith leader. You only need to be you and show you care.

More examples of caring messages.

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Learn how to talk about suicide in a compassionate and accurate way.

Examples

5-minute tutorial

Responsible reporting guidelines
(for media professionals)

WASHINGTON STATE PROJECT TO PREVENT PRESCRIPTION DRUG/OPIOID OVERDOSE (WA-PDO)

Home > Overdose prevention project

WA-PDO is a statewide network of organizations mobilizing communities, providing overdose response training, and increasing access to naloxone through community programs and systems. This federally awarded grant is administered by the Washington Department of Health and is one of the strategies listed in the State Opioid and Overdose Response Plan under goal 3: Ensure and Improve the Health and Wellness of Individuals That Use Drugs.

This grant specifically seeks to increase access to naloxone for individuals who are at risk of having or witnessing an overdose.

Locally, this project is a collaborative effort between the Department of Health and Willapa Behavioral Health. For more information contact Sean Hemmerle at sean.hemmerle@doh.wa.gov.

The Washington State Project to Prevent Prescription Drug/Opioid Overdose (WA-PDO) was a five-year project implemented by ADAI and many syringe service programs across WA State to provide overdose prevention and response training and distribute naloxone. The project has released a new report describing the results of 5 years of naloxone distribution to people who use opioids and to law enforcement in WA State.

Read the full report here:

https://adai.uw.edu/new-report-wa-state-project-to-prevent-prescription-drug-opioid-overdose-final-report-on-naloxone-distribution/

The WA-PDO project recently received renewal funding through 2026 and is now administered by the WA State Department of Health:

WA State DOH Overdose Education and Naloxone.

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Why was Grays Harbor County selected as an Overdose Prevention Project site?

We know that opioid use and overdose is a problem in Grays Harbor County.

• Our syringe services program, which began in 2004, exchanged 759,818 needles in 2016.
• Grays Harbor County has a higher rate of opioid-related deaths than Washington state as a whole. (Source: Washington State Department of Health Center for Health Statistics.)

The Grays Harbor Overdose Prevention Project will help get people who use opioids into treatment and prevent opioid-related deaths.

Does providing naloxone make people more likely to use drugs?

There is no evidence that giving people naloxone makes them more likely to use more drugs. It does, however, keep them alive to be able to seek treatment when they are ready. Going through withdrawal is painful and unpleasant. Research has shown that people who use heroin and are trained as overdose responders actually use less heroin over time as they assume new “peer leader” roles in their communities.

What is naloxone?

Naloxone is a prescription medicine that temporarily blocks the effect of opioids (heroin, OxyContin, Percocet, dilaudid, fentanyl, methadone, etc.). This helps a person start breathing again and wake up from an opioid overdose. It has no effect on other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, or benzodiazepines.

Naloxone comes in three different forms: liquid injectable, nasal spray (NARCAN), and auto-injector (Evzio).

What is the purpose of naloxone distribution?

The purpose of this program is to prevent deaths from opioid overdoses. Naloxone is a short-term fix for a complicated problem that can only be addressed if the person is alive.

Who can legally possess naloxone?

Naloxone is a prescription medication. Washington state law (RCW 69.41.095) allows anyone “at risk for having or witnessing a drug overdose” to obtain naloxone and administer it in an overdose situation. Naloxone is not a scheduled or controlled drug so it is safe for anyone to possess.

Can I get in trouble for helping out in an overdose situation?

In Washington state, anyone trying to help in a medical emergency is generally protected from civil liabilities by RCW 4.24.300. Washington state's 911 Good Samaritan Overdose Law RCW 69.50.315 gives additional, specific protections against drug possession charges:

• If you seek medical assistance in a drug-related overdose, you cannot be prosecuted for drug possession.
• The overdose victim is also protected from drug possession charges.
• Anyone in Washington state who might have or witness an opioid overdose is allowed to carry and administer naloxone (RCW 69.41.095).

How can I get naloxone for myself?

Naloxone is currently being distributed at:

• Syringe Services Program operated by Willapa Behavioral Health - see www.healthygh.org/directory/syringe for more information.

Washington State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy has signed a standing order for naloxone. This standing order works like a prescription and allows any person or organization in the state to get naloxone from a pharmacy if you or your loved one is at risk of an overdose. Locally, Rite Aid, Safeway, and Walmart participate in this standing order distribution.

If you get naloxone from a pharmacy, you may have to pay a co-pay or deductible, depending on the terms of your health insurance plan.

How will I know how to use naloxone? What training is available?

Training is available to individuals who get naloxone at the syringe services program. Participants are trained to recognize and systematically respond to an overdose. They are also informed about what puts users at risk of overdose and avenues for recovering from addiction.

www.stopoverdose.org has training videos and resources for all lay responders.

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Other resources

Visit stopoverdose.org (website)

El único video específicamente por estado de WA, esta capacitación describe los riesgos de sobredosis y la Ley del Buen Samaritano del estado de Washington, y muestra una demonstración sobre cómo ayudar en una sobredosis de opioids (incluida la respiración de rescate y la naloxone). Produced by StopOverdose.org

Download and print the Sobredosis de opioides brochure (.pdf)

Information about Washington State’s standing order for naloxone (website)

Download and print the Secure Medicine Take Back brochure (.pdf)

Breastfeeding

Home > Breastfeeding

Help is available for breast/chestfeeding mothers.

We can answer questions and provide support for breastfeeding mothers.

WIC participants have access to two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

Carmela Lopez, IBCLC is available for in-person and phone appointments for clients that speak English and Spanish.

Kimberly McLaury, IBCLC is available for in-person visits and phone appointments.

Kristin Weddle is a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and is available for phone appointments to support breastfeeding parents and answer breastfeeding questions.

What are some of the health benefits of breastfeeding?​

• Breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses, including diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia.

• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma.

• Children who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese.

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

• Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Information for Parents and Families

• Breastfeeding Handouts

• My Breastfeeding Checklist - English​

• Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding - English​

• Videos and Other Breastfeeding Websites

• Human Milk Storage Guidelines

Meet Your Breastfeeding Peer Counselor!

Hello Grays Harbor Community,

My name is Kristin Weddle, and I am the WIC Peer Breast/Chestfeeding Counselor for Grays Harbor County Public Health.

My breastfeeding journey began with the birth of my son in June of 2021. We faced many challenges and hurdles on our path to successful breastfeeding. My intention is to use my knowledge, experience, and training to help support and empower families in meeting their own infant feeding goals. Lactation is a superpower!

Where can I find more information?

• Washington State Department of Health Breastfeeding Information

• Online Prenatal Classes, Free to Medicaid Participants

• Perinatal Support Washington

• Open Arms Perinatal Services – Virtual Lactation Lounges

Breast, Cervical, & Colon Health Program

Home > Breast, Cervical, & Colon Health Program

The Grays Harbor County Public Health clinic is a provider in the Washington State Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health program.  This program will pay for exams, Pap screening and mammograms for eligible men and women.

To be eligible, you must:

• be aged 40-64,

• meet certain income criteria, and

• have no health insurance coverage for health screening services or have a high deductible for follow-up cancer testing.

Call 800-992-1817 ext. 1 to see if you are eligible and enroll.

International travel

Home > International travel

Before you travel to another country, we recommend that you visit a travel clinic. They can make sure you are protected from diseases that are not commonly found in the United States.

There are several travel clinics in nearby areas:

• Walgreen's, 1510 Cooper Point Road SW in Olympia, (360) 570-8008

• Safeway, 1243 Marvin Road NE in Lacey, (360) 252-2235

• Safeway, 1129 Harrison in Centralia, (360) 330-5229

• Olympia Travel Clinic, 1603 Cooper Point Road NW in Olympia, (360) 870-1398

• Providence Travel Medicine Clinic, 525 Lilly Road in Olympia, (360) 493-7230

For more information, visit the CDC’s Travelers’ Health website.

Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Home > Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs

The Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs program offers

• family support,

• care coordination, &

• health information

for children (age 17 or younger) who have, or are at risk of having, a condition which may prevent them from growing, developing, or playing like other children.

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We can help.

Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs is a free program that connects young people and their families to resources and services.

If your child is age 17 or younger and has, or is at risk of having, a condition which may prevent them from growing, developing, or playing like other children, your family is eligible for these services regardless of income.

Some conditions that children with special health care needs might have include:

• asthma

• autism

• cancer

• cerebral palsy

• Down syndrome

• cleft lip and/or palate

• cystic fibrosis

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

• prematurity

• speech/language delay

• sickle cell anemia

• diabetes

• juvenile arthritis

• epilepsy

• blindess

• hearing loss

• gross and/or fine motor delay

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The program can help families:

• find assistance for their child with special needs.

• find financial assistance.

• schedule appointments and transportation.

• get services for their child, such as medical care.

• find information about health insurance programs.

Families can refer themselves to the program; or, referrals can be made by schools or medical and service providers.

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Additional resources

Developmental disabilities - Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Department

Washington Health Plan Finder

The Arc of Grays Harbor

Family Health Hotline

For healthcare providers

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Epi News is faxed to healthcare offices during events of public health significance.

Sign up for Epi News by emailing Lisa Leitz at lleitz@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

Health Alert: Immediate action needed
Health Update: Updated information on Alert or Advisory

Health Advisory: May require immediate action
Info Service: Not of an emergent nature

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Communicable disease reporting

The Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department protects the community by controlling and preventing the spread of infectious diseases in Grays Harbor County.  We do this by:

• Receiving reports from health care providers about cases of notifiable communicable diseases as required by law.

• Investigating cases and providing education to people with communicable diseases and their contacts.

• Reducing the spread of disease by providing and promoting vaccines.

• Providing updated information to area health care providers about local, national, and global issues of public health concern.

• Educating the community about diseases of concern.

• Identifying potential sources of disease transmission.

• Using appropriate public health methods to stop the spread of disease.

Report notifiable conditions to:

Communicable Disease Program
Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Dept.
2109 Sumner Avenue
Aberdeen, WA 98520
Phone:  (360) 532-8631
After-hours phone:  (360) 581-1401
Fax:  (360) 533-6272

Resources

• STD case report form (.pdf)

• Lists of notifiable conditions for:

  • Health Care Providers (.pdf)

  • Laboratories (.pdf)

  • Veterinarians (.pdf)

• Legal requirements for the reporting of notifiable conditions.

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Flu prevention resources

Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May, with flu activity most commonly peaking between December and February.

Encourage your patients to fight the flu with these free resources:

• Share our Facebook posts. We're @healthyghc and our flu posts are tagged #ghcfightstheflu

• Print-ready materials (posters, flyers, fact sheets) from the CDC

• "Reason enough to get vaccinated!" poster from the CDC

• "The Flu: A Guide for Parents" tri-fold brochure from the CDC

• Spanish language print-ready materials (posters, flyers, fact sheets) from the CDC

• American Indian & Alaska Natives print-ready materials (posters, flyers, fact sheets, brochures, postcards) from the CDC

• "Cover Your Cough" poster from Washington State Department of Health

• WashYourHandsingTon resources (video, posters) from Washington State Department of Health