​The Human Services mission is, "To provide essential services that address individual and community needs, preserve the rights and dignity of those they serve, and promote the health and well-being of all Kitsap residents." 

Listed below; community resources to assist during these uncertain times.

  Kitsap County Pathway to Recovery

Phase 2

  Behavioral Health Providers, Get Support

Find a provider

 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.

PATHWAY TO RECOVERY PLAYBOOK - BUSINESS ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

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. 

WASHINGTON STATE RESOURCES

• Visit the Safe Start page to read available plans and guidance for reopening certain industries.
  

• Department of Health Mask and Face Coverings guidance and resources and frequently asked questions.
  

• Which mask for which task? Guidance from Washington State Labor & Industries on when to use face coverings and respirators.
  

• Association of Washington Businesses Rebound and Recovery PPE Marketplace connects businesses with manufacturers who supply PPE, providing the opportunity to purchase equipment for employers and their employees so businesses can open safely.
  

• Find coronavirus resources for Washington businesses and workers, including eviction protection, loans, unemployment benefits, CARES Act, paid leave, taxes, insurance, federal paycheck protection, debt relief, and more. 
  

• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued COVID-specific guidance for the grocery and retail industry and general guidance for workplaces.

• Washington state offers additional resources for businesses through its Business Liaisons program and the Rebound and Recovery program which offers resources for personal protection equipment (PPE).
  

• The Washington Retail Association offers a retail Special COVID-19 Resource Guide and a Retail COVID Safety Operation Plan from the Washington Retailers Association.

• Read Washington's Business & Workers weekly update for businesses and workers navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
  

• The state Economic Resiliency Team collaborates with the Association of Washington Business to provides a weekly webinars on COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Resilience.
  

• Governor Inslee has expanded the eviction moratorium to add additional protections to some commercial tenants.

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.

• The Kitsap Public Health District has printable signs and information sheets for businesses. 

• Kitsap Economic Development Alliance offers a weekly webinar for Kitsap business leaders and partners and other resources for Kitsap businesses.

• Kitsap Economic Development Alliance also provides information on grants that may be available to local businesses. Visit their site:  http://kitsapeda.org/  or call: 360-377-9499.

• Our neighbors at King County offer useful resources for businesses to help keep employees and the public safe.

  

• The U.S. Small Business Association provides coronavirus relief funding options.

 Childcare and  Early Learning

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.

• Central Kitsap School District

• North Kitsap School District

• South Kitsap School District

• Bremerton School District

• Bainbridge Island School District

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.

 Coronavirus Testing and Updates

Kitsap Public Health

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.

 Detox and Substance Abuse Help

Kitsap Recovery Center

 Domestic Violence, Victim and Children

Kitsap Sexual Assault Center      

Sexual Assault and Victims of Violent Crime 24-hour hotline: 1-866-831-2050

YWCA Kitsap County

YWCA 24-hour hotline:  1-800-500-5513

YWCA 24-hour text line:   1-360-277-7607

Additional Resources:

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: NCADV.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline: thehotline.org, 1.800.799.7233

National Network to End Domestic Violence: NNEDV.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline: RAINN.org, 1.800.656.4673

Technology Safety: techsafety.org

Washington Coalition to End Domestic Violence: WSCADV.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.

• Central Kitsap School District

• North Kitsap School District

• South Kitsap School District

• Bremerton School District

• Bainbridge Island School District

Also,

• Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program

• Find additional local food assistance programs at the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.

• DSHS is sending emergency supplements to people who get Basic Food (EBT). If you got Basic Food in March, you’ll get more benefits to bring your March amount up to the maximum for your household size. Read the Basic Food Emergency Supplement FAQor learn more from DSHS.

• Free meals in Kitsap

 Mental Health & Crisis Support Lines

Text line is for any youth age 13-25 years old who is experiencing a crisis or just needs to talk.

or Text Line 360.277.7607

Survivor’s Support Line for anyone who is or has experienced sexual exploitation.

 Housing, Rental Assistance, Utilities and Mortgages

RENTAL ASSITANCE

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.

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.

• PSE has launched a Crisis Affected Customer Assistance Program to help pay for energy bills for those impacted by the coronavirus. Eligible households can receive up to $1000 if members are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work due to COVID-19. For income and eligibility requirements, visit the PSE bill payment page.
  

• The governor has extended and expanded the moratorium on evictions of residential tenants for non-payment through June 4, 2020. The new proclamation also extends protections to some commercial properties. If you are being evicted, you can report it online to the Washington State Attorney General.

• City of Bremerton offers temporary support and rental assistance for lost income or job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Residents must live within Bremerton boundaries to be eligible.

• Housing Kitsap will accept applications directly from tenants to assist households currently living in Housing Kitsap Units without subsidy. For more information, please contact Housing Kitsap, 360-535-6100 or www.housingkitsap.org.

• The Federal Housing Finance Agency has guidance on available mortgage assistance programs.

• Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Cascade Natural Gas will keep utility services on and are waiving late fees.

• City of Bremerton water and sewer service will not be shutoff.

• City of Poulsbo will not shutoff utilities due to nonpayment and will not assess late fees for March and April.

• City of Bainbridge Island will not shutoff water and sewer service due to nonpayment and will not assess late fees.

• Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers.

• Xfinity is offering free WiFi hotspots to anyone in the community who needs them, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers.

 Homeless

Kitsap County Housing and Homelessness Division

Bremerton - Kitsap Community Resources
1201 Park Ave, Bremerton WA, 98337
(360) 473-2035 

Coffee Oasis (Serving ages 13-25)
837 4th St, Bremerton WA, 98337
(360) 377-5560

Port Orchard - Kitsap Community Resources
3200 SE Rainshadow Ct, Port Orchard WA, 98366
(360) 473-2146

North Kitsap Fishline
19705 Viking Ave NW, Poulsbo WA, 98370
(360) 801-2564

Bainbridge Island Helpline House
282 Knechtel Way NE, Bainbridge Island WA, 98110
(360) 801-2564

 Kitsap Community Foundation

Resources for individuals, non-profit and small business
Spanish

 Older Adults and Caregiver Resources

OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVER RESOURCES

Givens Community Center
1026 Sidney Ave., Suite 105
Port Orchard, WA. 98366

Phone: (360) 337-5700

• Washington State has a list of resources for older adults (60+).

• Kitsap County Aging and Long-Term Care office can help you find resources for older adults and caregivers (not specific to COVID-19).

• Washington Aging and Long-Term Support Administration provides resources for older adults, people who are deaf/hard of hearing, and their friends and families.

• Washington Department of Veterans Affairs provides frequent COVID-19 updates for family members and representatives of residents living in Veterans Homes.

• Kitsap County Department of Human Services administers the Veterans Assistance Fund for veterans in need. The money comes from a small portion of property taxes and is dedicated to providing assistance to veterans and their families.

• The Department of Social and Health Services is offering new resources during the COVID-19 response for people with loved ones within a DSHS owned, operated, or community facility. These resources help people get information or guidance about their family member. Read the full news release.

 Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention resources

 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.

 Quarantine and Isolation Centers

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.

 Veterans Resources

Community Resources

Veterans housing options

Local Veterans Organizations

Application for emergency assistance

Income Guidelines for 2020 Veterans Assistance Fund