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Kitsap County COVID-19 Resources and Information

Kitsap County is now in Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan

Kitsap County’s request to move to Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan for COVID-19 recovery was approved on May 28, 2020 by Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

Approval is effective immediately, meaning Kitsap County is now in Phase 2. View the full press release from the Kitsap Public Health District.


Pathway to Recovery Playbook - Moving to Phase 2

As Kitsap County moves into Phase 2 of the Safe Start COVID-19 recovery plan, some local businesses will open or begin to expand their services. As the approval letter from the state Secretary of Health noted, however, a business may open only “after it can implement the state guidelines for a safe start."

We gathered those guidelines in one place, the Kitsap County Pathway to Recovery Playbook, to make them easier for local businesses to find. The Playbook was most recently updated on June 5, 2020.

The Playbook was developed by the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management to help our community understand and safely embark upon our phased opening. It includes everything from overarching guidance for every individual and employer, to industry-specific recommendations for each phase of the Safe Start plan. You can find many similar resources in the state's Safe Start plan.


Activities at a Glance: Phases 1 and 2

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 Latest Updates

The daily update includes the latest COVID-19 testing results from Kitsap Public Health and a few headlines we think you should know. Subscribe to get daily updates by email or text.

 Older Updates

 Quarantine and Isolation Care Center

The KCEOC has opened a temporary quarantine and isolation care center in South Kitsap for people who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19. The facility can accept patients referred by healthcare providers or public health officials in Kitsap County.

Learn more about the care center and how it will help our community.


 Scam Alerts and Rumor Control

  • Washington has a Spread the Facts campaign where you can find information about common rumors and help spread the truth about what is happening in Washington State as part of the coronavirus response. 

  • Attorney General Bob Ferguson warns Washingtonians about scams related to stimulus payments from the federal government to help people get through the coronavirus pandemic.

  • FEMA's Coronavirus Rumor Control page can help you distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the coronavirus pandemic response.

  • Puget Sound Energy will not disconnect customers for non-payment and they will not call you threatening to disconnect or come to your door.

 How You Can Help (in addition to staying home)

Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page to find more ways to help other people during the coronavirus pandemic.


DONATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)


HELP OTHERS - MUTUAL AID

  • Reach out via phone, text, email, or video chat to check on neighbors, friends, and family.

  • Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page for more ways to help people in our community.

  • Kitsap County Human Services Housing and Homelessness Division has created resources for helping people living homeless.


DONATE BLOOD


APPLY YOUR MEDICAL SKILLS      


 Need Help by Phone?

  • If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, or how the virus is spread, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press # from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. Please note that this call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. For testing inquiries or results, please contact your health care provider.

  • You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211211 to receive information and updates wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

  • Call 911 only for life-threatening emergencies. Emergency response is available 24/7.

  • Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page for hotlines, including domestic violence, suicide, and mental health.        


 Health Information and COVID-19 Data

KITSAP COUNTY


WASHINGTON STATE


FEDERAL


HEALTH INSURANCE

  • Free or low-cost Apple Health is available year-round from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.


 Get Help - Resources for You and Your Family

The Washington State Coronavirus Resource page contains links to programs and services that may be helpful for Washingtonians who are impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

You can find local community resources and assistance programs at the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.


UNEMPLOYMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS

How to accurately and quickly file for unemployment benefits

WorkFirst is Washington's temporary cash assistance program.

Some Washingtonians may also apply for the Disaster Cash Assistance Program. The assistance is available to all Washington families and people without children who meet the income and resource limits of the program.


RENTAL ASSISTANCE

A $641,438 grant from the federal CARES Act will provide up to three months of rental assistance for Kitsap County residents who make 80 percent or less of the area’s median income. The assistance is available to people affected by COVID-19 who are not receiving any other federal, state, or local housing subsidy.

The Washington State Department of Commerce also has rental and energy assistance available for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

To find out if you qualify for rental or energy assistance funds, contact the Kitsap Housing Solutions Center, 360-473-2035, HSC@kcr.org or visit kcr.org.

For households residing in Housing Kitsap units, contact Housing Kitsap at 360-535-6100, HousingKitsap@HousingKitsap.org or visit HousingKitsap.org.


  

FOOD ASSISTANCE

All local school districts offer free grab and go meals to any child 18 and under (in some cases special education students age 21 and under also qualify). Check your local school district for instructions.

Also,


MENTAL HEALTH, CRISIS HOTLINES, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE

The Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page has a list of free 24-hour hotlines that can help.


RENT, UTILITIES, INTERNET, MORTGAGES

  • In Washington, all energy, landline phone, and water providers are prohibited from disconnecting residential customers for non-payment (except at the request of the customer); refusing to reconnect any residential customer who has been disconnected due to nonpayment; and charging fees for late repayment or reconnection of these services. 

  • Kitsap County has temporarily extended this spring’s property-tax deadline to May 31, 2020 (from April 30) due to impacts of the coronavirus on the financial lives of residents and businesses. The extension is for both individual and commercial taxpayers but does not apply to prior year delinquent taxes. The County is encouraging “property owners who are financially able to pay first half or full year property taxes early to fund essential services needed now and in the months to come.” For more info, visit the webpage of the Kitsap County Treasurer. 

  • The Sewer Utility is temporarily suspending all late penalties and placement of liens related to non-payment of monthly sewer service due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Resolution does not relieve a utility customer from the obligation to pay for sewer services.

       

CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING

Free childcare for families of healthcare workers and emergency responders may be available through local school districts. Contact your local school district for information.

Kitsap Community Resources offers childhood early learning services to families of first responders and medical personnel. Email earlylearning@kcr.org or call 360-473-2075.

The state’s Families, Friends and Neighbor program includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, older siblings, friends, neighbors and others who help families by providing child care. Visit the website or call 866-482-4325 for more information.

Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page for more local childcare options.


GROCERY SERVICES - DELIVERY AND SPECIAL HOURS

Most grocery stores have special at-risk customer shopping hours. Contact your local store directly to ask about these hours.

There are several local groups offering assistance with shopping and other errands. For more information, see the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.

 

GARBAGE SERVICES

Kitsap County waste disposal and recycling facilities have resumed normal schedules with restrictions. Curbside collection services continue as normal. Contact the service provider in your area to subscribe or learn about services.


OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVER RESOURCES

 Businesses and Worker Resources

Kitsap businesses have sacrificed much during the Stay Home, Stay Healthy closure. Now as we move through the Stay Safe plan and get our economy moving again, we must continue to take safety precautions to protect our community and prevent a rebound of COVID-19 so our businesses can move towards recovery.


As Kitsap County moves into Phase 2 of the Safe Start COVID-19 recovery plan, some local businesses will reopen or begin to expand their services. As the approval letter from the state Secretary of Health noted, however, a business may reopen only “after it can implement the state guidelines for a safe start."

We gathered those guidelines in one place, the Kitsap County Pathway to Recovery Playbook, to make them easier for local businesses to find. They are also available on the state’s Safe Start page.

Businesses that are state licensed or certified professional should check with their licensing or certifying state agency for guidance. If no state guidance is available yet, the business cannot open under the governor's plan. 


ASK A QUESTION   

  • Business owners and operators can fill out this form to ask Washington State questions about financial help or other state assistance for businesses.

  • Businesses that still have questions about their status can contact the Kitsap Public Health District’s Liaison Officer at KPHD-LOFR@kitsappublichealth.org.


WASHINGTON STATE RESOURCES


LOCAL RESOURCES

  • During the Stay Home, Stay Healthy closures, Kitsap chambers of commerce rallied to support local businesses in not only strengthening their resiliency but also implementing new and creative strategies to stay afloat while supporting their employees. Read their letter to the community.

  • The local chambers of commerce recently compiled a Back to Business Toolkit that offers a variety of resources for successfully reopening. Chambers are also promoting a new site at kitsapcovid19.com and a local COVID-19 Business Support Facebook page.

  

FINANCIAL SUPPORT


 Nonprofits & Homeless Service Provider Resources

 Apartments, Condos, and Similar Residences - Resources

King County Health District: COVID-19: For managers, staff, and residents of apartment buildings, condominiums, and similar residential communities


 Important Closures


 Transportation

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES

View COVID-19 Updates from Washington State Ferries


KITSAP TRANSIT

Starting on Monday, May 4, until further notice, Kitsap Transit will require all Worker/Driver passengers to wear a face covering to ride this service.

Kitsap Transit has temporarily reduced services. They are providing free fares through June 30. View Kitsap Transit updates.


 Other Languages

  • Have more questions about COVID-19? Call the Washington State hotline: 1-800-525-0127. For interpretative services, press # when they answer and say your language. (Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) For questions about your own health, COVID-19 testing, or testing results, please contact your health care provider.

  • El Distrito de Salud Pública de Kitsap ha creado una nueva página de información COVID-19 en Español. La página incluye estadísticas locales de COVID-19, hojas informativas y enlaces a recursos adicionales.


 Cities and Tribes of Kitsap County

City residents and tribal members can find additional resources and information using the links below.

City of Bremerton: View coronavirus information.

City of Port Orchard: View coronavirus information.

City of Poulsbo: View coronavirus information.

City of Bainbridge Island: View coronavirus information.

Suquamish Tribe: View coronavirus information.

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe: View coronavirus information.


 About this page        

This page is designed to help Kitsap County residents find government information and assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. It is maintained by the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center and updated daily with new resources. Kitsap EOC includes members from Kitsap Public Health District, Kitsap County Emergency Management, Kitsap 911, Law Enforcement, and Kitsap Fire Chiefs Association.

Visit the Kitsap Cares page to find available resources from community groups and nonprofits.