LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Board of Health, May 20, 2026

||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS |||

Director Mark Tompkins reported that ACH has a new CEO and Community Collaboration has received $20,000 for the Recovery Café. He presented a budget update for Foundational Public Health Services. He expected no budget claw backs for the 2025- 2026 budget on FPHS grant funding. For the 2026-2027 budget, FPHS expects a budget reduction of $346,000, effective July 1, 2026. The director is working with human resources on next steps. Suggestions to address the reduction in funds are expected in the next few weeks.

The County’s current budget for 2026-2027 expects a significant revenue shortfall. Council will be working to consider multiple options. There will be required cuts based on state funding reductions and county budget cuts from expected revenue shortfalls of several million dollars.

Evergreen Recovery Centers is a contractor for behavioral health care. They will coordinate hiring of a licensed behavioral health professional who will work with law enforcement so that our Sheriffs can focus on law enforcement issues.

Using Opioid Settlement Funds, a contract was finalized with Lopez Youth Prevention to focus on Youth Prevention, Youth Mentoring and Latinx youth leadership. Opioid Addiction Recovery Support (OARS) uses funds from the opioid settlement disbursement that San Juan County receives. The program receives $150,000 over a 2-year period to support individuals recovering from opioid use disorder. The county contracts with Compass Health for the county, Orcas Community Resource Center for Orcas Island and Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center for SJI. 25,000 is funded for each organization and 75,000 is held back for future dispersal.

Community Court Project is an initiative of San Juan County District Court. Teams are working together on a court structure designed to be inclusive to vulnerable populations. 1/10 th Mental Health Tax Program focuses on Community Wellness School-based mental health, and primary intervention program. Home Visits (formerly SafeCare) meets with families and Steps 3-5 provides support for children 3-5 years old.

The contracted company for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Services is STEPS, which provides in-home therapy, education and family support for infants and toddlers from birth to 3 years old.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League’s members.