Port Angeles City Council renews ReDiscovery program agreement

Officials pursuing $99,750 grant

PORT ANGELES — The City Council has renewed an agreement with Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic to continue the ReDiscovery program.

The grant-funded program is a partnership between the clinic and the Port Angeles Police Department in which a social worker is embedded with officers to connect people on the streets with medical services and resources that could help them avoid the court system.

Amy Miller, a community change agent with the program, has had thousands of contacts with homeless individuals since the program began in June 2018, city officials said.

The council voted 6-0 last Tuesday to approve the professional services agreement with Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic pending a new grant for 2019 and 2020.

Council member Mike French recused himself from the vote because he serves on the Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic board.

Aug. 20 request

Port Angeles Chief of Police Brian Smith said he would appear before a Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC) review panel Tuesday, Aug. 20 to request the $99,750 grant.

The 2018-19 WASPC grant funded the program and 1.5 contracted positions. If approved, the new grant would maintain the same level of service through June 2020.

“We’ll actually by close of business on the 20th know what we’ve been awarded, but having this agreement in place allows us to be ready,” Smith told the council.

“It’s identical to what you approved last year.”

Miller has said that many of those she has engaged initially declined services but were eventually connected to shelters, detox services, substance use disorder treatment and housing.

“I’m just grateful that this is back before us now, and hopeful that our full grant request comes through,” Deputy Mayor Kate Dexter said.

“I really think the grant program is valuable, and I really appreciate the work that particularly Amy Miller does but also the police department. I think it’s just been a really good program for our community.”

Smith said there was a pause in the ReDiscovery program but it was reactivated Aug. 2.

“I think the community has noticed the effort your Police Department’s putting in, and I look forward to receiving this grant again,” City Council member Cherie Kidd told Smith.

“I really applaud the work of the police department. This is great community service.”

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Jill Zarzeczny of Port Angeles, left, and her children, Althea Zarzeczny, 4, and Lupine Zarzeczny, 9, look for marine life beneath the sand during Tuesday's low tide at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles. The minus 2.99 tide qualified as one of the lowest of the year with tides of minus 2.53 at La Push, minus 2.70 at Makah Bay, minus 2.55 at Seiku, minus 2.74 at Crescent Bay, minus 3.08 at Dungeness, minus 3.42 at Port Townsend and minus 3.82 at Dabob Bay. Similar low tides are forecast for the rest of the week across the North Olympic Peninsula.
Lowest tides on Peninsula

Jill Zarzeczny of Port Angeles, left, and her children, Althea Zarzeczny, 4,… Continue reading

In a PT Artscape project, Blue Heron Middle School teacher Charlie Fornia, left, and artist Jesse Watson finish painting a “Welcome to PTHS” mural on the woodshop building at Port Townsend High School. PT Artscape hired Watson to design the mural and hosted a morning of painting with elementary, middle school and high school students from around Port Townsend. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)
Welcome mural at Port Townsend High School

In a PT Artscape project, Blue Heron Middle School teacher Charlie Fornia,… Continue reading

Sill
Clallam restarts search for county administrator

HR director has filled spot for four years

Road work to close part of Race Street today

The northbound lane of Race Street will be closed… Continue reading

The North Olympic Library System is hosting a series of open houses to showcase its new bookmobile.
Bookmobile open houses scheduled

The North Olympic Library System is hosting a series… Continue reading

Racers in the Race to Alaska pass by the cheers and well wishes from the hundreds of spectators lining the docks at the Northwest Maritime Center when the cannon went off at 5 a.m. Monday, starting the 750-mile journey from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, Alaska. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
And they’re off to the Proving Ground

Race to Alaska boats to leave Victoria on Thursday

With emotions running high, the skipper of the boat, Jordan Hanssen, and crewman Greg Spooner share a hug as the boat is pulled up the ramp under the eyes of spectators lining the dock at the Port Townsend Boat Haven on Monday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rowboat that set record recycled

Ceremonial ‘wake’ held for 30-foot vessel

Burn ban in effect in Jefferson County

Clallam County to prohibit fires by July 1

Most Read