Lakewood advisory board recommends full 2026 funding for 28 human‑service programs; opioid settlement options under review

Denise Nicole Franklin, vice chair of Lakewood’s Community Service Advisory Board, told the City Council on Oct. 13 that the board unanimously recommends fully funding all 28 human‑service programs for 2026.

The recommendation, delivered alongside board member Michael Lakaday and human‑service coordinator Shannon Bennett, asks the council to continue current contract funding levels — typically from $12,000 to $25,000 per program — and to approve an additional $14,000 to expand Lakewood’s Promise youth programming. “For 2026, the Community Service Advisory Board recommends continuing all the funding levels at the current range from $12,000 to $25,000. In addition, we’re recommending an increase of $14,000 to support Lakewood’s Promise youth programming,” Franklin said.

The board summarized its 2025 work plan and performance review before presenting the 2026 recommendations. Bennett told council staff had reviewed contract outcomes, spending and site‑visit results and found that, of 28 programs, 22 are meeting or exceeding 2025 goals and six are facing temporary challenges but “each one has taken action to recover and refocus before the year ends.” Bennett said recent third‑quarter billings show some service providers — including Nourish, a food‑security partner — have recovered toward their annual targets.

Why it matters: council members flagged that maintaining existing levels addresses immediate needs in food security, mental health and housing support. Councilmember Pearson asked whether funds should be reallocated toward programs exceeding goals; Bennett and others urged caution, noting seasonal service dips (for example, school‑based programs during summer) and staffing disruptions at some agencies.

Opioid settlement funds: the board told council it is still developing recommendations for opioid settlement dollars and presented two administration options: (1) integrate opioid settlement dollars into the existing human‑service grant process or (2) create a separate off‑year funding cycle to preserve flexibility and transparency. The board outlined three funding priorities should the council approve local spending: supporting recovery through workforce development (including scholarships at Clover Park Technical College), youth engagement and prevention (working with Clover Park School District and youth groups on student‑led media campaigns), and continued collaboration with public‑safety partners including Pierce County Fire Department and Lakewood Police Department.

Council reaction: Deputy Mayor Moss and several council members said they supported the added youth funds and the idea of youth‑led prevention campaigns. Councilmember Brandstetter noted that the Tacoma pro bono legal services program’s 2025 numbers were affected by prior American Rescue Plan Act funding and cautioned performance figures can be misleading without that context. Councilmember Bell and others emphasized transportation barriers for youth participation and asked staff to explore transit or shuttle options for youth events.

Next steps: the board will present its recommendations to council again on Oct. 20, when the council is scheduled to take a decision on the 2026 human‑service funding recommendations. Bennett said, if approved, contracts would take effect Jan. 2026.

Context and agencies: the presentation named local partners including Community and Schools of Lakewood, Greater Lakes Mental Health, Lindquist Dental, Tacoma Pro Bono Community Lawyers, Lakewood’s Choice Coalition and the Washington State Health Care Authority (a fiscal agent for local prevention work). The board also noted it will invite representatives from Police, Fire, Greater Lakes, Choice and DSHS to inform opioid settlement priorities.

Ending: council members thanked the advisory board and staff for the review. No formal council action was taken at the Oct. 13 meeting; council vote on the funding recommendations is scheduled for Oct. 20.