Washington County work session reviews Access and Opportunity resolution; consultants report widespread federal funding losses for local nonprofits

At a Washington County Board of Commissioners work session, commissioners and staff reviewed proposed edits to an "Access and Opportunity" resolution and heard consultant summaries showing local community-based organizations reporting delays or elimination of federal funding and county employees reporting anxiety and a desire for concrete next steps.

The consultants, Jonelle Bell and Lucy Hamer of Espousal Strategies, summarized results from community and staff listening sessions and an anonymous survey of community-based organizations (CBOs). Lucy Hamer said, "All respondents indicated that they have had federal funding that is delayed or eliminated." The consultants presented a breakdown of expected impacts: 23% of respondents reported minor impacts (cash-flow adjustments but programs likely continuing), about 31% reported moderate impacts (delays to program activities or staffing uncertainty),…