VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - CHILDREN & YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE

Community Advisory Committee Member - Children & Youth Representative Volunteer

Kitsap County is seeking a Children & Youth representative to join our Community Advisory Committee, helping guide how funding supports critical behavioral health services for young people and families. This is a meaningful opportunity to ensure youth voices and needs are reflected in local funding decisions.

The Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, and Therapeutic Court Community Advisory Committee is an 11-member group that advises the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners on behavioral health needs and funding priorities. The Committee helps guide investments in services related to:

• Mental health
• Substance use treatment
• Therapeutic courts
• With a strong focus on improving outcomes across the lifespan, including children and youth.

As a committee member, you will:

• Review and score funding applications for community programs
• Help recommend funding decisions to the Board of Commissioners
• Advocate for the needs of children, youth, and families
• Evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes
• Contribute to system-level planning and improvement efforts

We are seeking individuals who:

• Have experience, expertise, or strong involvement in children and youth services, such as:
  • Youth development
  • Behavioral health
  • Family support services
• Understand the needs of children, youth, and families in Kitsap County
• Are committed to representing youth perspectives in funding and policy discussions
• Can collaborate effectively and engage in thoughtful decision-making

This position is typically filled by someone connected to or knowledgeable about the children and youth service system.

Time Commitment - This is a volunteer role with a meaningful but manageable time commitment:

• Monthly Meetings (Required): 1 meeting per month (2 hours). Typically held the third Thursday from 5:007:00 PM (virtual or hybrid)
• Annual Funding Review Process (Required July & August): 710 hours per week during this period. Review and score approximately 3040 proposals. Participate in two in-person evening Executive Sessions (4 hours each)
• Optional Subcommittees: Up to 1012 additional hours per year
• Estimated Total Commitment: ~6065 hours annually

(Most of the workload is concentrated in July and August.)

Why Join?

• Help shape services that directly impact children and families
• Ensure youth voices are represented in funding decisions
• Influence long-term community outcomes
• Collaborate with a dedicated group of community leaders

Additional Information:

• Members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners
• Serve three-year terms (with potential for reappointment)
• Must have access to technology/internet for participation
• Conflict of interest guidelines apply during funding decisions

Selected applicants will:

• Attend a Committee meeting
• Meet with staff to review expectations
• Participate in an interview process
• Be considered for appointment by the Board of County Commissioners

For more information or to apply, please contact:

Hannah Shockley, Kitsap County Department of Human Services

Phone: (360) 337-4827 email: [email protected]