[{"_1":2,"_104":-5,"_105":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,94],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6788630,"mediaKeyId","5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6","parentId",5576855,"title","Thurston County Board of Health proclaims Aug. 31 International Overdose Awareness Day; staff and resident urge expanded naloxone access","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",104315,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6&start=104&end=104","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6/thumbnail_104315.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6788630/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-Board-of-Health-proclaims-Aug-31-International-Overdose-Awareness-Day-staff-and-resident-urge-expanded-naloxone-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788630-5368fb65ed4aabc3869e958fbda838a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773740905&Signature=C3p~Rg0j~2C~31WqzdNK9o1ZXkyMCQRCDHsjVgH8i~QO7z3495ku5Fj~~gsHRGbpIHEGvpJ8zMKKzS9Oy-r6FNBNQDPKBDcMxH~FexDYTSeKU14KSUPIOM6r-XGpoGgKLQtzi1emuBb7jlewBedhqZ8W0ojiPDHpBtmCcSDkRPlR7QL2YvJuVGKCTVaMPp5u7NKrGnUkH4xIoQO-KyzLx7sC9UXAerNepQgyN7gp8aCd8vWmn03d3xgIlm2cODX8nwS8Xl5uR8d417gHrExy0ZDCB6PxYNd2smTXAVPdFZfHBtElKgPtfOK9UcnCK0vN0iZzaREolgLuIq2CmyhJjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Thurston County Washington","date","2025-08-13T22:36:25Z","article","The Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed Aug. 31, 2025, as International Overdose Awareness Day during its Aug. 12 meeting and heard a pair of personal and programmatic reports on overdose prevention and response.

Katie Strosnick, the county’s opioid and overdose response program manager, told the board Washington County’s efforts have expanded naloxone availability \"across our community,\" including distribution points at behavioral health agencies, housing providers and the syringe services program. She said staff recently installed a downtown Olympia naloxone vending machine accessible 24/7 and are deploying wall-mounted naloxone boxes to high-traffic and rural locations. Strosnick also described EMS programs that leave naloxone at the scene of nonfatal overdoses and offer buprenorphine in the field, with follow-up case management within 24–48 hours.

Resident Shani Jenkins gave a personal testimony about losing her son to a heroin-related overdose in 2017 and urged a public-health approach. \"This is not a moral failing. It's a chronic disease,\" Jenkins said, and she asked the board to support compassionate, evidence-based care and public awareness.

Board members thanked the presenters and discussed outreach to communities and first responders. The board read a county proclamation calling for community participation in remembrance and outreach events, and staff said an International Overdose Awareness Day event is planned Aug. 27 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Heritage Park. Staff also said they will circulate a flyer with event details.

The presentation highlighted both harm-reduction measures (wider naloxone access and EMS leave-behind) and continuing efforts to expand treatment options and wraparound services across the county.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 12 2025 Thurston County Board of Health Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed Aug. 31, 2025 as International Overdose Awareness Day. County staff described expanded naloxone distribution (vending machine, wall boxes, EMS leave-behind) and a resident who lost her son urged treating addiction as a chronic disease.","taxTitle","Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4614,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6788615,"Board extends comment period for proposed Thurston County food-service code updates after staff presentation and stakeholder concerns",4108200,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6&start=4108&end=4108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6/thumbnail_4108200.jpg","/articles/6788615/Thurston-County/Washington/Board-extends-comment-period-for-proposed-Thurston-County-food-service-code-updates-after-staff-presentation-and-stakeholder-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788615-0d3c7ea2b31c50563f550fb78cced29d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773740905&Signature=Xv0oSaOswD8nnkkArzYYMh42fAmaRfGmDfpl8VAFDz-LLpQbAnYyvvZRmDJg1XTIln4vYgwRiyI3QAjDzX~sQMQc~GdY-QX2E-UzclRXxEB~PpUR6zyn7rQYT~5hOb4pF-jlD1COk5kRXEVrbgQQme3O7ECyQfLtorQJ-M-9cagMa9kXCBPiG5-Ial-68smeRyWGSob4-450UUVp~DvBQCSDXvn-39cnv47w-AY5lznsaSUY3r44VS28zyk7OmkEUCRS0-wDxuGYDXB~Jx6cD7z9rxRFvsVC1bc1ktOlQRhQeieSjRjiWoe9pSYAP18FMUYu27Ege9X5A4Ov8kn~4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thurston County Public Health and Social Services presented proposed updates to County Code Articles 1 and 2, which govern food-service permitting and enforcement, during a public hearing on Aug. 12.

Jesse Smith, the county’s food program manager, told the board the updates aim to align local code with WAC 246-215, incorporate existing policy into code language, clarify local requirements and broaden enforcement authority. Smith said one substantive addition would be the option to use civil penalties — a lower-level enforcement tool — for operating without a permit, alongside existing civil-infractions routes through the courts. Staff emphasized the primary goal remains voluntary compliance and helping establishments meet permitting requirements.

Smith also described operational streamlining, such as reducing repeat permit application steps for catering add-on permits that operate at festivals and explained the county’s point-based inspection system for reinspections and closures. For repeat high-risk violations the county is proposing clearer follow-up requirements, including a two-week plan for corrective actions.

Several board members and commenters urged more outreach to restauranteurs and street vendors, noting recent restaurant-tour meetings raised operational concerns and that many vendors operate outside the county. Staff said they are updating guidance materials, planning informational videos and will translate materials and coordinate with Spanish-speaking plan-review staff and the Thurston County Chamber and other stakeholders.

After discussion, a board member moved to extend the public-comment period and continue the public hearing to the October meeting to allow broader stakeholder review and outreach. The motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded oppositions. Staff will circulate a link to the proposed code changes and continue outreach before the October hearing.","Public Health staff proposed updates to Thurston County food-service code (Articles 1 & 2) to align with WAC 246-215, streamline permitting, broaden enforcement and add civil penalties; board agreed to extend the public-comment period and reconvene the hearing in October to allow further outreach to restaurant and vending stakeholders.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":42,"_43":87,"_45":87,"_46":88,"_48":89,"_50":90,"_52":91,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6788621,"Board of Health launches community health assessment rollout, tasks subcommittees for outreach",2452650,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6&start=2452&end=2452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6/thumbnail_2452650.jpg","/articles/6788621/Thurston-County/Washington/Board-of-Health-launches-community-health-assessment-rollout-tasks-subcommittees-for-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788621-fddb66dc016005625d2df8b688aff22d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773740905&Signature=S2DRl-CycZGKMp2NwmJuqPJH6HXjLfBWRVO4CwWME5ze0yIGTkOq9TpmiOprqe8xOx0DRWCTDQobM6zBOzRVTQK3vSyYVeL-6lImBmTHUmnTnleorFCk1GP9z2dHqm1WXBB3CDwXp86XnlfLp0oRXg69oRgyo21kyYv5vVy-Cvxja4HNJ2CmLXo73nCmB1uE1ItiS-boOm-KPMnQEq7pmN3PVoS95K1JAFPuAyDHxbfBabuz9jcbSKU3Eo0OAFB6vCyJofKi~~mJuUwtcgHCn88fGT50A9s9wfA9o~kFYkbfJMMy2UiE45niRyWotDoBwxE10WiWkq3~df3Cl5Fq8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thurston County Public Health and Social Services told the Board of Health on Aug. 12 that it will roll out a community health assessment (CHA) at upcoming public events and clinics to gather resident input to guide future programs.

Staff said the CHA builds on hospital CHNA work and will include a short eight-question survey designed to be completed in five minutes. The assessment will be available at multiple events beginning the next day, and staff said the survey will remain open for several months to allow the epidemiology team to monitor respondent demographics and deploy targeted outreach if any groups are underrepresented.

The education and outreach subcommittee (speaker 5) said board members are invited to help administer surveys at events but cautioned about creating a quorum; the subcommittee described small tangible incentives to encourage participation, citing examples staff asked the public about such as water bottles and portable chargers. Staff also confirmed outreach plans with the Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention for engagement with houseless populations and said translation services will be used where appropriate.

Board members discussed how to ensure adequate outreach to Peninsula and rural communities and whether the CHA should have an explicit close date; staff said they intend to keep the survey open without a set close date and to augment targeted strategies after three months if demographic gaps emerge. The board encouraged members to share the survey broadly through their networks.","Thurston County staff and subcommittees described a community health assessment (CHA) rollout tied to back-to-school immunization clinics and outreach events; subcommittees will staff events, use tablets to collect surveys and target underrepresented groups, with incentives like portable chargers.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":42,"_43":97,"_45":97,"_46":98,"_48":99,"_50":100,"_52":101,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6788626,"Thurston County proclaims August 2025 Breastfeeding Awareness Month; local lactation staff highlight gaps and supports",912750,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6&start=912&end=912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576855-3f5771af34003b3cc9c8f809e3dc5cc6/thumbnail_912750.jpg","/articles/6788626/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-proclaims-August-2025-Breastfeeding-Awareness-Month-local-lactation-staff-highlight-gaps-and-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6788626-1cea3845e1d7cc2f31efc16fd0c90852/orig.mp4?Expires=1773740905&Signature=fxBrXVsS7KvwmD2K4pwBi3G0QSj7~tIAVJTtHJjcHnGxM~FAFVOVVBL9bUv-RWH~2T-Xz1GS9hFNcHUC-zt5R-BuuVEdgHfu3DMrHevKHVRzZnTKgCyWy2Fl9bCmYGr6umKAMfNBnWZFpJvtGGIedhtiqaCQiFXtZZEAKKo8XywV-~pd3X1IFtqyRmZaK2uEw5EbQIy7u0QTJUDhwtDgY22j7bscmaX4femB1~g3epoeDncZujGvRtt0SEPNC2oVQk4ZbnYjsg989-dMtemJHRq3Ayvd9QMSf7NAXPh-Goo7S3ZGM8~b4UiQfBY61B3WE1MuVvcMQhFULo-5jyCscQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Aug. 12 meeting the Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed August 2025 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month and invited registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant Ashley Reynolds to brief the board on local work to support chest feeding.

Reynolds described breastfeeding as a public-health investment and cited state and national data to contextualize local needs: she noted the Healthy People 2030 goal of 54% of infants breastfed at one year and stated current rates are about 39%. Reynolds said Washington State shows higher initiation and six-month exclusive breastfeeding rates than the national average but that Thurston County lacks granular local data. She described barriers that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority families, younger parents and households eligible for WIC, including limited access to in-person lactation services, uneven insurance coverage for lactation support and workforce constraints.

Reynolds highlighted the nurse-family partnership program and local in-person support groups as tools that improve initiation and duration: \"Families who participate in nurse family partnership are 21% more likely to be breastfeeding at all within 6 months,\" she said. She also told the board that while virtual lactation visits have grown, in-person oral-motor assessment and hands-on support remain important for some families.

Board members asked about outreach to rural Peninsula communities, insurance coverage and the effect of local hospital and midwifery service changes on access. Staff and Reynolds discussed virtual-service limits, the need for translated materials and partnerships with hospitals, pediatricians and doulas to broaden access. The board read a proclamation encouraging community action to address chest-feeding disparities and support equitable lactation care.","The Board read a proclamation declaring August 2025 as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Ashley Reynolds, a local lactation consultant and home visiting nurse, outlined state and national breastfeeding goals, local barriers to access and community supports such as nurse-family partnership.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Thurston County Board of Health proclaims Aug. 31 International Overdose Awareness Day; staff and resident urge expanded naloxone access

Board extends comment period for proposed Thurston County food-service code updates after staff presentation and stakeholder concerns

Board of Health launches community health assessment rollout, tasks subcommittees for outreach

Thurston County proclaims August 2025 Breastfeeding Awareness Month; local lactation staff highlight gaps and supports