Community Services Division
Senior Services
Senior Services programs are offered under contract with Northwest Regional Council
through the San Juan County Health and Community Services Department with significant
support from the Senior Services Council of San Juan County, Inc., a Washington
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
Our job at Senior Services of San Juan County is to assist seniors in remaining
independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. We have
senior centers on San Juan, Orcas and
Lopez Islands which serve as resource and information centers for all programs affecting
those over 60. Many of the people who work at the centers are over 60 years of age
themselves! We have an active, vital senior population in these islands that has
made many gains in developing services.
We are also a resource to those under 60 who provide care or help to parents, older
family members or neighbors. Volunteers are needed to help with many programs and
with fundraising projects.
The department provides staff support and services to senior citizens (over 60)
and other adults through Senior Centers on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez islands. For
seniors who may have health problems a variety of assistive programs are available
to help them remain in their own home. These include chore services, meal services,
and transportation services. Assistance is also provided through case managers who
can help individuals and families obtain services from other providers in the community.
In addition to serving the elderly, transportation services are also available to
disabled individuals of all ages. Respite Care, providing relief to an unpaid care
giver in the home, is available to persons giving continuous care to adults 18 years
of age and older.
The
senior centers on all three islands serve hot lunches twice weekly
and ask a modest donation to cover the cost. Meals are also delivered to the home
bound twice a week. The centers also provide a focus for organized social activities
which provide opportunities for seniors to remain active in the community.
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Substance Abuse Programs
The Alcohol Other Drugs (AOD) Program provides prevention, education and community
support to activities that address the dangers of the use of these substances. These
services are directed to children as potential users, parents as the primary interveners,
and the community as a whole to create a supportive environment for abstaining from
the use and abuse of dangerous substances.
The AOD Program provides early intervention services with individuals and families
who have identified or suspect a substance abuse problem. This program can help
with locating assessment and treatment services appropriate to the individual problem.
The county contracts for many of these with state funds, so that services are available
regardless of an individual's ability to pay.
Alcohol and Other Drug treatment services are provided through a contract with Compass Health.
Services include referral to detoxification and residential treatment and outpatient
treatment of alcoholism and other chemical dependencies. These services are supported by state
funding which is administered by the county. Compass Health also provides treatment
and education to youth under a grant of county funds. The provision of these services
is overseen by an ATOD coordinator in the department.
Compass Health
520 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Tele. 360-378-2669 24-hr Crisis Line 1-800-584-3578
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Developmental Disabilities Program
For children who are identified to have developmental delays the Developmental Disabilities
Program can assist parents in getting state supported services. Services may include
such assistance as speech therapy, play therapy, and family support for parents
of children three years old or younger. (At four years old services are coordinated
through the school system.) Eligibility or services is determined by the state based
on an assessment of need and availability of services and is not strictly income
dependent. Additional family support for those with developmentally delayed children
is also available from county Public Health Nurses.
Adult oriented services provided by the department assist developmentally disabled
persons over 21 in obtaining and maintaining employment. Help is also provided to
these individuals so that they can participate in community activities.
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Mental Health Services
Mental health services are provided through Compass Health.
Services include 24 hour per day crisis response for individuals who are a danger
to themselves or others, individual, family, and group therapy services. State funding
assures the availability of these services to all regardless of the ability to pay.
Individuals not eligible for state support are asked to share the cost of services.
The local implementation of mental health services is overseen by a mental health
coordinator within the department.
Compass Health
520 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Tele. 360-378-2669 24-hr Crisis Line 1-800-584-3578
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Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is designed to provide
children with limited family and financial resources an opportunity to enter the
educational system at the same level as most other children. By providing an educational
opportunity, access to health care, and social support to these children and their
families this type of program has been shown to prevent later social and school
problems. This program is offered on Orcas and Lopez Island through established
pre-school agencies. Families on San Juan Island have access to similar services
through the Head Start program run by Skagit Valley College.
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