Vashon Youth & Family Services outlines programs and new county grant

Representatives from Vashon Youth and Family Services presented a program overview to the Vashon-Maury Community Council on April 16, outlining behavioral-health counseling, school-based therapists, after-school childcare and resource-navigation services funded in part by a new King County "Best Starts for Kids" grant.

"I'm Gloria Buzick. My title just changed. So I'm now the outreach and engagement coordinator," said Gloria Buzick, the organization's presenter. She said BYFS has about 50 employees on the island and provides roughly 3,000 counseling sessions annually. Tiffany Shira, who identified herself as the marketing communications manager, described family-place supports, respite childcare and bilingual navigators who help residents access housing, rental assistance and ferry vouchers for off-island medical appointments.

The presenters said the agency prioritizes serving vulnerable island residents who face barriers to care and works with a network of about 10 partner organizations to avoid duplicating services. Buzick invited volunteers and people interested in joining the board of directors to contact the agency. "We have, in the schools, an intensive youth specialist who works with all three schools," she said, describing efforts to expand after-school clubs and free community events such as monthly movie nights.

Council members asked about program participation; presenters said about 70 students have participated in school clubs since January and that the resource navigation program logged about 3,270 service interactions last year. The organization also highlighted outreach efforts, community events, and partnerships with county programs that help families with young children.