Dates set for free career healthcare academy 

Jefferson Healthcare, in partnership with Peninsula College, local public school districts, and Career Connect WA, is presenting a free, immersive program for local students interested in careers in healthcare. 

Designed for incoming 10th-to-12th-graders from the Port Townsend, Chimacum, and Quilcene School Districts, the Healthcare Career Academy will take place from July 15-19.  Students must attend all five days.

Students interested in careers in healthcare can have an in-depth look at what it entails while gaining experience. Over the five days, students acquire practical knowledge and skills with everything from nursing simulations to First Aid certification. That includes touring Jefferson Healthcare and East Jefferson Fire Rescue.

Chip seal in Brinnon

County crews began chip-sealing key roads on June 25 in the Brinnon core area. From June 25 to 27, crews will be chip-sealing Brinnon Lane, Corey Lane, Easy Street, Mathews Lane and Schoolhouse Road. The following week, July 1-5, sweeping will be done on those roads. County crews will not work on July 4.

County public works staff ask that motorists do not park on the streets listed until the end of the project.

The main work should take place Tuesday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sweeping, to remove loose rock and prepare for fog sealing, will be done on Monday and Fridays as roads are ready. Reader boards will be posted prior to the start of work to let drivers know what to expect.

Opioid settlement payment

Johnson & Johnson has paid Washington state $123.3 million, $243,259 of which goes to Jefferson County, to settle a lawsuit over its role in the opioid crisis, according to a press release issued by the attorney general’s office June 18. 

The drug manufacturer, one of the largest providers of the raw materials used in opioids, agreed to a lump sum settlement with the state to avoid litigation. Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the company in 2020. The settlement was reached in January. 

The state will collect $149.5 million overall from Johnson & Johnson, with $26.2 million going to cover legal costs. Ferguson, who is running for governor, rejected the 2021 multi-state agreement with the company, netting an additional $24.4 million for the state. The settlement dollars are expected to continue for the next 17 years.

The money is divided evenly between state and local governments, according to the attorney general’s office. The payout includes money to: Clallam County, $720,171; Port Angeles, $253,240; and Poulsbo, $42,611. Port Townsend was not on the list of 126 state government recipients.

Thus far, the office of the attorney general has recovered $1.29 billion to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Washington, according to the release. 

State gets AARP designation

Washington is the 12th state to join the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, and the state has received designations highlighting its efforts to become more age and dementia-friendly

Susan Engels, Unit on Aging office chief for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, said the designation builds on work the state is already doing to support people of all ages.

“Age-friendly communities consider goals that promote high quality of life for each person regardless of their age, allowing older people the opportunity to remain active in their community,” Engels said. “The designation begins a book of work that we’re very excited to do.”

Some Washington cities have already joined the AARP network – Puyallup, Renton, Seattle, Tacoma and White Salmon. Some of the goals for age-friendly communities include ensuring people can age in place, and building walkable communities to ensure people can maintain their independence and connection with others.

Engels noted the state is already supporting people with dementia.

Family caregiving is another important focus area as the population ages, Engels said. According to AARP’s statistics, the ratio of family caregivers per adult over 80 years of age will decline in Washington state from about 4.5 to 1 in 2030 to less than 3 to 1 in 2050.