Healthy Homes Program Vendor List

A great new resource is coming to Thurston County! It's the Healthy Homes Program Vendor List. There are some great training opportunities coming up for vendors who provide home repair and home improvement services. Learn more here. 

Free Healthy Homes Class for Professionals & Residents

Learn how to identify, address and prevent housing-related health risks like mold, indoor air pollution, rodents and more.

When: Thursdays in February from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This class has four sessions for a total of eight hours. Light snacks will be served.

Where: Thurston County Public Health at 
412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia 98506 (across from Providence St. Peter Hospital and served by Intercity Transit bus routes # 60, 62A and 62B)

In this class you will: 

• Learn how healthy homes principles help keep the structure of a home in good condition.
• Learn how housing conditions impact health.
• Learn to identify, address and prevent housing-related health risks.
• Gain useful knowledge that you can apply to your daily life.
• Earn a certificate of completion.

Who should take this class: 

• Renters, homeowners, landlords, parents, college students. Anyone who's interested!
• Licensed contractors & home improvement service companies - ask about how to get on the Healthy Homes Program vendor list!
• Social workers, home caregivers, medical & public health professionals. This class is great for professional development.

Register today! HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us (360) 867-2674  TDD 711 or 1-800-833-6388

September 2017 Septic $ense Workshops

Call or email to register today!

(360) 867-2577        johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us

Healthy Water for a Healthy Community

In 2007, water quality concerns in Henderson Inlet triggered the formation of the Henderson Shellfish Protection District Septic Maintenance Program. Fecal coliform bacteria was found in the water and shellfish grown in Henderson Inlet at levels that could make people sick. The shellfish protection district created programs to educate the public, inventory local septic systems and help county staff make sure that all septic systems in the area are taken care of and that failing systems are fixed. The program is funded by a charge to people who live in the Henderson Shellfish Protection Area. This program is one of several water quality improvement projects undertaken by community partners.

Has this program worked?

Yes! Hundreds of acres of shellfish growing area have been reopened because of water quality improvements. Over 86% of the septic systems in Henderson are current with inspections and maintenance. This is one of the highest success rates in the Puget Sound area.

The work continues…

The success of the past 10 years needs to be sustained as our population continues to grow and change. Our region is known for its access to beautiful waterways, mountains, and streams. Henderson Shellfish Protection Area is an example of teamwork in the community working to keep our citizens, our precious resources and our economy healthy.

Proposed changes to the program

• The program currently requires that high risk septic systems be dye traced every six years. The new proposal changes this to every nine years. A review of the data shows that the county could reduce the frequency of dye traces and still protect public health.
• The proposal adds a $10 charge on properties that have more than one septic system. This charge helps pay for the time needed to review records and oversee the monitoring and maintenance of these additional systems.
• Increase charges $2/year for low and $6/year for high risk systems. This extra money will help reduce dependency on grants so that grants can be used in other high priority areas in the county.
• Strengthen water quality monitoring through a Pollution and Identification Correction or PIC program. Adding PIC allows the county to respond to complaints and further investigate documented water quality problems in streams or shellfish monitoring stations.

On September 12 at 5:30 p.m. the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to review and receive testimony on the ordinance to re-enact rates and charges for this program. Come and give us your feedback, share your concerns and have your questions answered! 

Free Septic $ense Workshops

Free Healthy Homes Program Training

Be the Key to a Healthier Future!

The next free Healthy Homes Program training is coming up! This training is a great opportunity to learn the key aspects of maintaining a healthy living space.

Learn how to address and prevent health and safety issues in your home through lessons taught by experts, fun field trips, and hands-on activities.

Learn about:

• Mold and moisture
• Lead and other toxic exposures
• Indoor air quality
• Landlord/Tenant rights and responsibilities
• Conducting Healthy Homes Visits
• Asthma and allergies
• Household safety
• And more!

The training begins on January 21 and is every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. through March 24, 2016.  The 10 sessions will be held at Thurston County Public Health Department 412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia. It is across from Providence St. Peter Hospital and is served by bus route #60.

Submit your application today by email or mail.  

For more information visit the program website or contact the program at HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us or 360-867-2674 (TDD 360-867-2603).

FREE Septic $ense Workshops in September

Your home septic system is a major investment that comes with the responsibility for its care and maintenance. Sign up for one of our four free workshops held throughout Thurston County in September. Learn how to prolong the life of your septic system and protect not only your financial investment, but your family’s health and the environment as well. 

These workshops can benefit all septic system owners, from first-timers to those with years of experience. Attendees will be provided with information on:

• The different types of septic systems – gravity flow, pressure distribution, mound, and sand filter
• The three main components of a septic system – tank, drainfield, and soil
• When to have your septic tank inspected and pumped
• Warning signs indicating septic system damage or failure
• How your home water use affects the lifespan of your septic system
• What to avoid putting down the drain
• The availability of loans and grants for septic system repairs and replacement

In addition to a better understanding on how to care for and maintain your on-site septic system, all workshop attendees will receive a $10 discount on septic tank pumping. 

Please sign up here or call (360) 867-2673 to reserve a seat at any of the following workshops:

Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Rochester Community Center, 10140 Highway 12, Rochester

Thursday, September 17, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Pellegrinos Event Center, 5757 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater

Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

South Bay Fire Station, 3506 Shincke Road NE, Olympia

Thursday, September 24, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Thurston County Fairgrounds Expo Center, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey

To register, please call 360-867-2673 or click here to sign up online at the Thurston County Environmental Health website. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. If you are unable to attend any of these workshops but have questions regarding the care and maintenance of your septic system, please call the Septic Help Line at 360-867-2669.

Become a volunteer for the Healthy Homes Program!

What: Thurston County’s Healthy Homes Program trains volunteers to provide free home visits to Thurston County residents to encourage behavior and actions to promote healthy living spaces – such as dealing with and preventing mold, creating healthy indoor air, reducing asthma triggers, reducing exposure to toxins, and more. We have a free volunteer training coming up this fall! You can learn all about housing-related health risks and how to prevent and reduce them. This training includes expert guest speakers, field trips, and opportunities to put what you learn into practice. It’s fun and the knowledge gained is useful in our daily lives.

Who: This training is for people interested (or who work) in housing, improving health, safety, and giving back to the community. No prior experience is necessary; the training teaches all you need to know to conduct Healthy Homes Visits in pairs. These visits are free, voluntary, and completely confidential. We don’t do any sort of enforcement or mediation. We are invited to do the visit by the resident, where we perform a checklist and walk-through. Based on what we find we provide information, guidance, and resource lists to the residents to help them take the next steps. We are flexible with volunteer hours for people who will use the knowledge and skills from the training in their regular work.

Why: Housing conditions can cause health problems or make existing health problems much worse. This is especially the case for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. There are many simple, low or no cost ways for people to reduce the risks of housing-related health issues and our goal is to educate and empower residents to create habits that promote the healthiest possible living space. Program staff are available to work with and help volunteers to feel comfortable and confident in providing Healthy Homes Visits.

When: The training starts September 15 and runs every Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. through November 17, 2015. This is a total of 30 hours of fun, hands-on training and afterwards we ask volunteers to provide 30 hours of volunteer service (which is about 10 home visits) as their schedules allow. Volunteers can also put in time by participating in booths at community events, performing outreach, or working on special projects. We are flexible with volunteer hours for people who will use the knowledge and skills from the training in their regular work.

Where: The training is held at the Thurston County Public Health at 412 Lilly Rd. NE, Olympia, 98506; across from St. Peter’s Hospital. Intercity Transit bus routes # 60, 62A, and 62B serve the area. To sign up or find out more, contact coordinator, Elisa Kaufmann at HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us  or 360-867-2674 (TDD 360-867-2603.) If transportation is an issue for anyone who is interested, please don’t let that stop you from applying. We are close to bus routes and there is a good chance that volunteers attending the training can carpool.

Healthy Homes Program website: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehhm/healthyhomes.html

Training Flyer (also attached): http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehhm/pdf/HHFlyer.pdf

Apply today!

Volunteer Job Description: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehhm/pdf/HHJobDescript.pdf

Volunteer Application: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehhm/pdf/HHApplication.pdf

Dive into Your Neighborhood

Whether you live in town, a cul-de-sac in a suburban neighborhood, or in a rural area outside of town - you are part of a watershed. The water that runs off of your driveway, rooftop, and yard makes its way into the nearest like, river or storm drain and, for most of us, eventually into Puget Sound. This is one way that our daily activities can help or harm the health of Puget Sound.

The Clear Choices for Clean Water program is a partnership between Thurston County Public Health & Social Services and Thurston Conservation District that helps people make choices to improve water quality.  Choices for which all of us are responsible, such as proper pet waste disposal, slow release fertilizers, and regular septic system inspections, can help us clean up and restore Puget Sound.

What: “Dive into Your Neighborhood” Watershed Tour

When: May 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Where: Meets at Thurston County Public Health Department 412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia, WA. The tour travels throughout Henderson and Nisqually Watershed.

Who: Residents of the Henderson and Nisqually Watersheds (There is a waitlist for non-residents who can join the tour if there is space.)

Cost: No cost! Register here or call Melissa Sanchez: (360) 754-3588 x105

Registration deadline is May 10, 2015.

The details...

Join us aboard a luxury tour bus for a fun and interactive experience in the Henderson and Nisqually Watersheds. The tour includes free local food, shellfish tasting, gardening & lawn care tips and more! Join your neighbors and learn about exciting things happening in YOUR neighborhood. 

The tour begins with refreshments and check-in at Thurston County Public Health Department, where we will uncover some of the mysteries of septic tanks. We’ll stop at several locations in Henderson and Nisqually watersheds to understand where our water comes from, where it goes and how our choices affect it. Join the tour for local beverages, shellfish tasting, music and more!  Once we’re back at the Health Department, you can sign up for Clear Choices and take home free native plants, fertilizers, compost and other items to help protect water quality for all of us.

Priority signups are for people who live in the Henderson or Nisqually Shellfish Protection Districts. Not sure if this means you? View the map below. People who sign up from outside of the two watersheds are place on a wait list. We'll let you know a few days before the tour if there is room for you and your guests. Spaces will fill up fast for this free family-friendly event. Register today!

Healthy Homes Workshop on Saturday April 11

We spend a lot of time in our homes and there are many actions we can take to make them healthier. Join us to learn simple ways to create a healthier living space including ways to reduce exposures to toxins, asthma triggers, mold, lead, and other housing-related health risks. This workshop is presented by Thurston County’s Healthy Homes Program, which offers free, voluntary, and confidential home visits to help Thurston County residents create healthier living spaces.

What: Healthy Homes Workshop

When: Saturday April 11, 2015 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Where: LOTT WET Science Center, 500 Adams Street NE, Olympia, WA 98501

Who: Adults and children ages 12 and up

Why: To learn ways to improve your home environment

We hope to see you there!

Free Workshop on Household Hazardous Products on Saturday November 15

 
Come learn about the the hazards of common household products to people and the environment!

What: Free workshop, "Hazards on the Homefront."
When: Saturday November 15, 2014 2-3 p.m.
Where: LOTT's WET Science Center
   500 Adams Street NE Olympia, WA
Who: Ideal for ages 11 and up.

You'll learn how to read product labels for hazard levels and proper use, storage, and disposal of hazardous products. And learn about safer alternatives to common hazardous products though a fast-paced bingo game. 

Two lucky participants will win a green cleaning kit!

Did you miss this presentation? You're in luck! You can schedule this presentation or a presentation on another topic for your group of 10-30 or give us a call to find out when the next public presentation is. 360-867-2674.

See the rest of the WET Science Center's Activities & Events!

Scatter Creek Community Workshop on September 30

You are invited to a community workshop about the preliminary conclusions and recommendations to protect drinking water in the Scatter Creek Aquifer, hosted by the Scatter Creek Aquifer Project Citizens Advisory Committee and Thurston County Environmental Health.

When:           Tuesday September 30, 2014 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where:         Rochester Middle School Commons  (children’s area provided)

9937 Highway 12 SW

Rochester, WA 98579

This Scatter Creek Aquifer is susceptible to contamination because soils in the area do not filter out contaminants well. Unlike many other areas, there is not another deeper aquifer below the Scatter Creek Aquifer; it is the only source of drinking water for area residents. The Scatter Creek Aquifer Citizens Advisory Committee met for almost two years to learn about the aquifer, help direct computer groundwater modeling scenarios, and develop recommendations for the Thurston County Board of Health.

The preliminary conclusions and recommendations made by the citizen’s committee will be presented at this community workshop and can be reviewed here. Come provide input on the preliminary recommendations to protect drinking water in the Scatter Creek Aquifer. Your input will help shape the final recommendations that the citizen’s committee will present to the Board of Health.

 

This event is an opportunity for the community to learn more about the project, hear the preliminary conclusions and recommendations, and to provide input.  

For more information visit the project website or contact ScatterCreek@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2582.

Become a volunteer with the Healthy Homes Program

This fall, the Healthy Homes Program is training new volunteers! 

Healthy Homes provides free, voluntary, and confidential home visits to help local residents find ways to reduce exposure to toxins, asthma triggers, mold, and other housing-related health risks. The visits are conducted by trained volunteers (this could be you!) who work with the resident to decide on simple solutions to make their home a healthier space.

Volunteers participate in 30 hours of training to learn about how home environments can contribute to health issues and how to reduce housing-related health risks. The training  prepares volunteers to conduct Health Homes Visits. The training is hands-on and engaging with relevant presentations and field trips. They can apply what they learn in their own living spaces.

Once volunteers are trained, they are asked to give back 30 hours of community service to the program. This includes conducting Healthy Homes Visits, staffing booths at community events, assisting with community outreach, and work on special projects. Thurston County Public Health & Social Services staff members are committed to supporting each person to help them become a successful volunteer.

2014 Training Schedule

Fridays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

- October 10

- October 17

- October 24

- October 31

- November Break - during which, each volunteer-in-training goes out on their first visit with an experienced volunteer.

- December 12

To apply for the 2014 training or to learn more about the program visit the Healthy Homes Program website or contact (360) 867-2674,  HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us.

P.S. I Love You – FREE Puget Sound Festival & Sea Cinema, June 14

Celebrate Puget Sound this Saturday at the new Puget Sound festival called, P.S. I Love You!

This event is coordinated by a group of Environmental Educators in Thurston County with support of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Puget Sound Starts Here. Thurston County’s Environmental Health, Solid Waste, and Water Resources Programs are active members of this group.

What:    P.S. I Love You - Puget Sound Festival & Sea Cinema  
When:   Saturday June 14, 2014 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sea Cinema 5:30-10 p.m
Where:  Festival is at Percival Landing Park, 405 Columbia St. NW Olympia, WA

               Sea Cinema is at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW Olympia, WA 

Why:     To celebrate Puget Sound through music, film, food, and fun! 

Who:     All ages!

Cost:     No cost to attend! Food will be for sale.

Details: www.psfestival.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Festival includes: 

• Live music by Oly MountainBoys, Kim Archer Band, Dana Lyons, Pan Lego Steel Drums, and Mukana Marimba.

• Live performances by OneWorld Taiko, Native American Storyteller and flutist Che Oke Ten, Morpho-Man (Christian Swenson), and local storytellers.

• Free Kayak Instruction.

• Local Education Booths with hands-on activities for all ages.

• Outdoor games.

• Local food vendors including, Taylor Shellfish, Ricardo’s Woodfire Express, and Tamale Fusion. 

Sea Cinema includes:

• Family fun & Cartoons.

• Family feature: Happy Feet.

• Local short films.

• Pre-screening of Return ofthe River followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Thank you to the City of Olympia for allowing use of the heart graphic designed by  local artist, Nikki McClure.