Opportunity Council - Island County Resource Center

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

We want to hear from you!

Help inform the Path Forward 10-year Plan to shape services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Washington. We want to know what works, what needs to change, and what should happen first.

You can share your thoughts through our online survey or sign up for an in-person or virtual focus group. Find out more in the links in the comments.

09/30/2026

09/30/2026

Stay alert! Scammers might pose as DSHS to try to steal your personal information. Be cautious of email or text messages that ask for personal or account information.

Before responding, check the sender's email address and any website links included in the message. DSHS email addresses and websites end in .gov.

If you're unsure whether a message is legitimate, please report it right away by calling 877-501-2233 or visiting a local Community Services Office.

While DSHS might contact some customers by email or text, DSHS will never ask you to provide by email or text:

- Your EBT card number or account information .
- Information about who lives in your household.
- Your client ID number.
- Your date of birth.
- Your Social Security number.

09/18/2026

DYK: Each month, quality control cases are randomly chosen from all households that actively receive Basic Food assistance (called SNAP). DSHS doesn’t select households because we have special questions about a case.

If your household is chosen for review, you are required to participate with QC reviews to keep receiving benefits. You will have an interview with a QC reviewer as part of the process to confirm your eligibility information.

These reviews make sure DSHS follows federal rules when processing applications, changes and renewals, so households get the right amount of benefits. We must do the reviews to keep federal funding for the SNAP program.

For more details, please visit the SNAP QC DSHS webpage: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-quality-control-interviews?fbclid=IwY2xjawUOcKhwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMW5jbG9aWGMwOURuRHB0QWhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeC3H4nv8iiSbADtqJ8fnrqqnB_KF5sI_vtEWAvlAJVirlxSgXa0QqQ3rKaCM_aem_jP7s7aprxi6VtmvQvwntMA

09/18/2026

As the new school year begins, students in the High School Home Care Aide classes are learning skills that support their future. These classes help students build confidence, practice empathy, and learn how to care for others in real-life situations. When students finish the class, they can move forward to become certified and find a job in caregiving.

To learn more about the High School HCA Training Program: dshs.wa.gov/hshcatraining

09/17/2026

Together, we can help our neighbors 🤝

In the six years that our community has raised funds for the Essential Needs Program, the Opportunity Council - Island County Resource Center has been able to directly support 777 households with $602,393 of assistance. This is only possible thanks to donors like you.

Join Whidbey Community Foundation, Goosefoot, and Island Thrift in making a difference for our neighbors.

Your donation, no matter the size, makes an impact: https://www.whidbeyfoundation.org/essential-needs-program/