Seattle Indian Health Board

Seattle Indian Health Board, scheduled to open its new Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon in 2026, has been named one of more than 80 organizations awarded funding through Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million global open call launched in 2024 to support organizations working to improve women’s mental and physical health around the world.

Organizations received between $1 million and $5 million in funding, with the Health Board receiving the top amount, $5 million.

Action for Women’s Health is funded by Pivotal, a group of impact organizations founded by Melinda French Gates.

“We are grateful to be selected and receive this critical funding, especially during a time of such uncertainty,” said Esther Lucero (Diné), president and CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board. “Several of our services have been put at risk due to federal funding cuts — from programs supporting pregnant women and those serving survivors of intimate partner violence. This funding is going to save our entire family services division, including wraparound services for children and their parents and our WIC program.”

Seattle Indian Health Board will use its funding to support maternal health, behavioral health and intimate partner violence services, as well as address unmet needs of pregnant and parenting women experiencing substance use disorders, according to a press release.

Women face inequities in nearly every aspect of their health, and the disparities are even higher among American Indian and Alaska Native women. According to the Washington State Department of Health, in Washington State, American Indian and Alaska Native women are 8.5 times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related conditions than Non-Hispanic White Women. A survey of Native women living in Seattle by the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) found that 94% of participants had been raped or coerced into sex at some point in their lives.

“The health and wellbeing of Indigenous women are at the heart of our community’s wellness,” Lucero said. “Philanthropic support is essential to building and sustaining the programs that make that possible.”

More than 4,000 organizations from 119 countries applied for the Action for Women’s Health award. For more information about the initiative and awardees, visit tinyurl.com/2aetykmu.

Executive transition team

In related news, King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahily has announced the four-member leadership team for his transition, which includes Seattle Indian Health Board President and CEO Esther Lucero (Diné).

Lucero has led SIHB’s effort to reopen its Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon. The facility, now under construction on the former site of Vashon Community Care, is expected to open in 2026 as a 92-bed facility that offers patients healing from substance abuse disorder.

Lucero joins Zahily transition co-chairs Doug Baldwin, CEO at Vault89 and founder of the Family First Community Center; Katie Garrow, executive secretary-treasurer at MLK Labor; and Brad Smith, president and vice chairman at Microsoft Corp.

Together, these four leaders will oversee the work of the 100-member transition team, which also includes islander Trish Dziko, the co-founder and executive director of Technology Access Foundation, which focuses on improving public education for students and educators of color.

Learn more at girmaytransition2025.com.

Flood control

King County Flood Control District is now making sandbag materials available free of charge to help protect homes, businesses and property during the current flood season.

On Vashon, find sandbag materials at the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue property operated by King County Roads at 10019 SW Bank Rd. The self-service site (bring your own shovel) is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Islanders are limited to 25 sandbags per vehicle.

Sandbag materials are also available at multiple other locations throughout King County. Find a full list of locations and instructions for proper sandbag use at tinyurl.com/2cn4e5uh.

“Preparing for flooding before heavy rain arrives can make a huge difference in protecting people and property,” said King County Flood Control District Chair Reagan Dunn. “The Flood Control District invests in flood risk reduction projects across King County, but we also want residents to have the tools and information they need to protect their homes and neighborhoods. Programs like free sandbag distribution are an important part of keeping our communities safe.”

The King County area typically experiences its highest flood risks between October and April, when heavy rainfall, saturated soils and rising river levels can combine to cause flooding.

“When rain events coincide with King Tides, flood risk can rise quickly,” said King County Flood Control District Supervisor Teresa Mosqueda. “Taking advantage of the free sandbag program now is a simple, effective way to protect your property.”

King Tides — defined as tides above the highest water level reached by an average daily high tide — are the highest predicted tides of the year and are expected to occur on the following dates in 2025: Nov. 7–9 and Dec. 6–9. In 2026, King Tides are expected between Jan. 4–6.

The district encourages all residents to review their flood risk and make a preparedness plan. Resources include information about flood alerts, insurance, evacuation routes and floodplain maps — all available on the district’s Flood Resources website at tinyurl.com/4h6cu446.

Superintendent search

The Vashon Island School District Board of Directors is continuing its search for the district’s next superintendent. A total of 127 people completed the input survey conducted by executive search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) as part of its outreach to students, staff, parents and community members.

The firm continues to recruit and conduct outreach, with 10 applicants so far — three formally submitted and seven in progress. HYA will provide an update at the Dec. 8 school board meeting. The application deadline is Jan. 9, followed by a special board meeting Jan. 14 to review applications and finalize interview questions. Semifinalist interviews will take place Jan. 23, and finalist interviews are scheduled for Feb. 3-5. The new superintendent is expected to start July 1.

Warm clothing/gear needed

Hilary Emmer, who has long worked with the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness to assist islanders who lack stable housing, is collecting apparel and gear for islanders sleeping outside in cold weather. To donate warm socks, gloves, coats, sweatshirts, sleeping bags and raincoats, email hilonvashon@yahoo.com.

Silent auction

The Vashon-Maury Community Council is holding an online auction throughout November, featuring gift cards from island businesses, handmade goods and more.

Proceeds will support the council’s operating costs for the 2026 budget cycle.

Find out what’s on offer at tinyurl.com/4bhpy3fb, and learn more about the work of the council at v-mcc.org.

Shellfishing closures

Some Vashon-Maury Island beaches remain closed to recreational shellfishing due to unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish toxins. Check the Department of Health’s map at fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/biotoxin.html or call 800-562-5632. Commercial shellfish sites are monitored separately.