[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6476106,"mediaKeyId","5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df","parentId",5730675,"title","County discusses personal services agreement to lease transitional units for homeless veterans; motion made","audioSeconds",45,"startMs",2481000,"endMs",2526000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df&start=2481&end=2526","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df/thumbnail_2481000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476106/Skagit-County/Washington/County-discusses-personal-services-agreement-to-lease-transitional-units-for-homeless-veterans-motion-made","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476106-9e24d7e44cad6872cd1429aba582d630/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889843&Signature=SSeCxH0cuGOTsrFvugr~oxkagTUxKGhhJfqEo6XOxzTG4e7C4ehIQKhriGv-vBEc44rlz6H5HWPfMKeR2yx9hgG4VNVddK8zFlqp-l~MsezJIY8TfUInZZ9jA~jjVqyTZkdlHuCuLbMt5Qc1jDBAXOvtt4H0UroVZVZDdT-LTZF0QCirOwq1qhMYv0BU3zVsK9IMknWSBPoz3QpYBP8KPqb54NH6KobyVCir85bu9UO39G0UJDxUeczu1-VGIhWuSLRwgC~e11WkeHZ0kWpXE4lwJaTGlA9oG-klgaLxxVA5aqr~k4etBDI-PNIqG-6atl6zKbaTvF9-~VEd-ngW6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Skagit County","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","Skagit County commissioners discussed a personal services agreement with Community Action of Skagit County to lease four transitional housing units in Mount Vernon for homeless veterans served through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program.

A commissioner noted the arrangement is being run under the county's miscellaneous agenda items because Commissioner Wiesen has a long-standing role with Community Action and federal rules can require recusal when federal funds are involved. A speaker described both the VASH program and the county's typical practice of placing miscellaneous items that could trigger recusals into that part of the agenda.

A commissioner moved to approve ‘‘both of these very, very important for our community and additional items’’ and the motion was seconded. The available transcript ends shortly after the second, with no recorded roll-call tally or explicit statement that the motion passed in the excerpt provided.

No contract numbers, lease amounts or effective dates were read aloud in the portions of the meeting transcript provided.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Skagit County - Record of the Proceedings - Monday Session","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed a personal services agreement with Community Action of Skagit County to lease four transitional housing units in Mount Vernon for homeless veterans under the VASH program and moved to approve the items; transcript does not record a completed roll-call vote.","taxTitle","Skagit County, Washington","taxId",5125,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476109,"Local chaplains urge reinstatement of in-jail programs after COVID restrictions limited access",228,2058000,2286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df&start=2058&end=2286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df/thumbnail_2058000.jpg","/articles/6476109/Skagit-County/Washington/Local-chaplains-urge-reinstatement-of-in-jail-programs-after-COVID-restrictions-limited-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476109-f8df2ca248b15b0a56ecb2abe8f48cb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889843&Signature=gI81LTcqNq1EWYCd8akekJuCPlDfcEGdvRLzVZHW1w7FFauv8nY1KiCfRnpvUMCLwcKK8FCiwuNkgqk7dnXfpTjNzoa~VWPEikIqX3QK~RybnWfjCCPwIncewQYVWY6beAWlYkm8eSuhk53DbZFEm5Xwzz6yJLRJNx-mi7n0LsFTv8Ubwcab15jhspBU~1wnYWNGQWnXy25I5DaHOZTeQ0uEk~O3kXSx0tvPcUixfCNLq~mToym0xw3ovNmjBT-DzOsMlycPleVHh23rxC1Eh6js1x84VpnjA6Cge1dMrr0sPNcSo1vaIIc3sNVQsTzzw6kcIDv7knrzGnE9Z5EiRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative from Tierra Nueva told the Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 8 that chaplaincy and in-jail group programming have not resumed since COVID restrictions, and that gap has contributed to overdose deaths among people released from custody.

Lisa Bennett, who said Tierra Nueva has provided chaplaincy services at the Skagit County jail since 1994, said volunteers and chaplains can no longer regularly meet new detainees and run group sessions because of pandemic-era access restrictions. \"Since COVID we have not been able to go back into the jail to do groups, to do Bible studies, to connect with people when they're incarcerated,\" Bennett said. She described follow-up efforts after release but said the most effective interventions occur while people are still incarcerated.

Bennett said some people the group could not reach were released and later overdosed. She said staff shortages cited early in the pandemic are no longer the issue and that proposals to restore access have been submitted but not acknowledged. \"We have written proposals... he’s never even received it in multiple times to multiple different people,\" she said, referring to a colleague who submitted proposals.

Commissioners acknowledged the group's long service; one commissioner said the matter had been raised previously and suggested staff would follow up. No formal action to change jail access policy was recorded on the transcript.","Representatives from Tierra Nueva and other volunteers told commissioners pandemic restrictions stopped in-jail chaplaincy and group programs; they said the loss of in-jail contact has led to poorer post-release outcomes and asked the county to restore access.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476114,"Commissioners approve consent agenda including parks fee changes, dock permit and local grants",362,9000,371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df&start=9&end=371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df/thumbnail_9000.jpg","/articles/6476114/Skagit-County/Washington/Commissioners-approve-consent-agenda-including-parks-fee-changes-dock-permit-and-local-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476114-50b0960b659489abad6c2210d70b0e5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889843&Signature=O5P71V9v27zTHBVhzVxyfeXYy5HUTvTi648LjFW-647IKFqsH5QrH1OHojdwrYvx8PzkrJMXBBId9MbZqTtElqCoGMLghidDJydIipW4k9Qz9UxHklsf-SUJAZMl3R~zFvkqfjx14VMGAM-26i~u1dGSmHQPb33vZEeILC3CjeopCWkBun09GD~jlE1uCqX6MycThzy-IkoO6dTowOexVThSc6g5dXxcwtJgqR6ympyAgNqm3rWxAt~OMbSJ6A5RiBpbGUBi3f~8NHWsKvGnTYRxFOr7ROw5UbSlGFuPKof42XNzUR8lECpUvXxMOhcNJZSQJmkQkEYOjdBpuueJJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved consent agenda items 1 through 17 on Sept. 8, including multiple parks and infrastructure items, a McIntyre Hall rental and capital grants to local entities.

Commissioners highlighted Parks and Recreation revisions to the user fee schedule and several items related to parks infrastructure. A proposed installation of a new boat-launch dock under the Twin Bridges boat launch requires construction outside the fish window; county staff said permits are in hand and work will proceed once seasonal restrictions allow. Commissioners also noted GRAMA funding and contracting for a roundabout at Marine Drive and Missouri Road.

The consent agenda included a rental agreement for McIntyre Hall tied to a population health trust meeting and a thank-you to local dentist Dr. Morrow for agreeing to see Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) patients, expanding access beyond existing clinics such as SeaMar Health. Commissioners referred to the dentist’s participation as increasing access for low-income residents who use Apple Health.

The board also approved budget-finance grants from county economic development or similar funds: $500,000 to the Port of Skagit for renovation of a facility building and $250,000 to the City of Anacortes for Depot Market Plaza expansion. The motion to approve the consent agenda was moved and seconded; the board took a voice vote and the motion passed.

The consent package covered routine ratifications, vouchers and warrants for the meeting date and included items flagged for commissioner attention during the discussion. No separate roll-call tallies were recorded in the available transcript for these consent items.","The Skagit County commissioners approved consent agenda items 1–17, which included revisions to parks user fees, a McIntyre Hall rental item, a boat-launch dock permit, roundabout design funding via GRAMA/GRAMA-like agreement, and capital grants to the Port of Skagit and City of Anacortes.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476120,"Skagit County proclaims September 2025 \"Recovery Month,\" hears personal recovery accounts",151,764000,915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df&start=764&end=915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5730675-5ec912dcb3a3b82a80a645b6b0f685df/thumbnail_764000.jpg","/articles/6476120/Skagit-County/Washington/Skagit-County-proclaims-September-2025-Recovery-Month-hears-personal-recovery-accounts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476120-d8742a5f14fbf8e15f269f7d7e17cff3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770889843&Signature=LmGx7ArrVGL~0E0WG4RxBcCfBEZu8lac2G50~wXUJxAHFi-N-oJqj-wWWwv6qTISmUBCnkhT1aICyMMHUs8cmBdD5J5SNcFhdxRlyDCgIn56LKHTkuYXVQAozRmnNfojxwAj~iEXVkrwOFWg6adVaI~pbkU2~l-BF0naPqFNTcfRfvKhz9JCuPwSjbG1F9Q-CvSwaVSLpjiKbsel9RTDYNJqAVt8SCkz1tn7oa1GkPwRgWtSbxdLZcv9jAMppo0~I~uCnPWMXs-ev~mVVSuPjldcfA~je0DUlS9xfu-uHSIVnJ3XNgauxA9OyojvyJ-jR5M6IpAD85~VB43zrbLeYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 8 proclaimed September 2025 as Recovery Month and heard several residents and program leaders describe how treatment, peer support and housing services have affected their lives.

Christie Burrow Weaver, behavioral health coordinator at Skagit County Public Health, told commissioners the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services estimates that 15% of the county’s Medicaid-eligible adult population — more than 3,000 people — requires substance use disorder treatment. \"Entering and maintaining recovery is difficult, and community support is vital,\" she said while presenting the proclamation.

Two people with lived experience described their recovery pathways. Heather Conley, a drug court graduate who now works at Recovery Cafe Skagit and is pursuing certification as a substance use disorder professional at Skagit Valley College, recounted federal and local charges, time in custody, participation in drug court and inpatient treatment, and then years of recovery that led to employment at the Recovery Cafe. \"I graduated from drug court in February 2025,\" Conley said. \"Drug Court and Recovery Cafe changed my life for the best.\"

Sarah, managing director of Welcome Home Skagit, described the peer-led nonprofit's programs—day shelter, seasonal overnight shelter, safe parking and vocational services—and said the group started in 2017 as a ministry under Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church. \"Recovery is not possible without stability, compassion, and community,\" she told the commissioners, urging steps toward a permanent 24-hour shelter.

Several other speakers emphasized the role of education, jail reentry services and peer support. Jerry LaFollette, an adjunct instructor in the human services program at Skagit Valley College, said the college offers programs that help people with criminal-justice involvement and substance-use histories move into stable employment. Lisa Bennett of Tierra Nueva described long-standing chaplaincy work in the county jail and said pandemic restrictions have interrupted in-jail programming. Leslie Cox, a Recovery Cafe member, recounted family loss and said safe-parking options could have helped her grandson.

Commissioners thanked the speakers and the county's behavioral-health providers, noted the county funds drug-court services, and said they stand ready to assist programs that support recovery. The commission moved and seconded the proclamation; the motion passed.

The proclamation directs the county to recognize the month and affirms support for recovery services but does not create new funding in the text presented at the meeting.","The Skagit County Board of Commissioners proclaimed September 2025 as Recovery Month and heard testimony from people in recovery and representatives of local programs about treatment, shelters and reentry supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County discusses personal services agreement to lease transitional units for homeless veterans; motion made

Local chaplains urge reinstatement of in-jail programs after COVID restrictions limited access

Commissioners approve consent agenda including parks fee changes, dock permit and local grants

Skagit County proclaims September 2025 "Recovery Month," hears personal recovery accounts