Resources for Youth and Families

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Back to School Resources

 

Welcome to the Olympia School District 

Looking for information about support groups, crisis lines, help with meals or bills, social and emotional wellness, or tips for taming toddler temper tantrums? You can find all that and much more here at our Resources for Youth and Families webpage.

Whether you're a family that's brand new to the Olympia School District, or just wondering where to go to find answers to specific questions you've never known how to answer, here is a great place to start!


We know how overwhelming it can be at the beginning of the school year. Please do not be afraid to connect with us via any of the contact information included below. We are here to answer your questions!

 

Community Resources

 

National Suicide Prevention Hotlines

 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

 

  • 988 (call or text)

  • 988 (chat)

  • Press 4 to be connected to the Native and Strong Lifeline

 

Trans Lifeline for peer support

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and micro grants non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis.

 

  • 1-877-565-8860

 

Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth

Our trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at:

 

  • (866) 488-7386 or

  • text START to 678678.

  • Chat online

 

Jed Foundation

The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive.

 

  • Text Home to 741-741 (To talk right now to a trained counselor)

 

Teen Link

A helpline for teens, by teens

 

  • (866) 833-6546

 

Local Crisis Resources

 

Crisis Clinic of Thurston County

The Crisis Clinic of Thurston County strives to empower people, especially those in crisis, through telephone intervention, information and referral.

 

  • Crisis Line: (360) 586-2800/1-800-627-2211

 

Catholic Community Resources - Crisis Stabilization Services

Crisis stabilization services are designed to assist youth who are experiencing a mental health crisis to help them remain in their homes and avoid hospitalization.

 

  • (360) 480-5721

 

Youth Helpline

Are you a youth needing someone to talk to? The Teen/Youth Help Line is a 24/7; free, completely confidential and totally anonymous phone line that you can call to talk about anything.

 

  • (360) 586-2777

 

Emergency Shelter Network Hotline

If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, please call the 24-hour homeless hotline at:

 

  • (844) 628-7343

 

Olympic Health and Recovery Services

Provide access to an effective, reliable safety net of behavioral health crisis and recovery support services throughout our region.

 

  • (360) 754-1338

 

SafePlace Olympia Helpline

SafePlace works to put an end to sexual and domestic violence through crisis intervention and education.

 

  • (360) 754-6300

 

StrongHearts Native Helpline for domestic/sexual violence

StrongHearts Native Helpline is a safe dating and sexual violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

 

  • 1-844-762-8483

 

LGBTQAI+ Local and National Resources

 

LOCAL OLYMPIA AND WASHINGTON STATE RESOURCES:

PFLAG Olympia Chapter

Group meetings, one-on-one meetings, events and workshops.

 

  • (360) 207-1608

  • (360) 628-8412

 

Pizza Klatch

Fostering resilience in LGBTQ+ youth to create a safe and positive school experience through support, education and empowerment.

 

  • (360) 339-7574

 

Stonewall Youth

Stonewall Youth is a youth-led organization that empowers LGBTQ+ youth to speak for themselves, support each other, educate our communities, and work for social justice.  Group meetings, emotional support, LGBTQ events, counseling referrals.

 

  • (360) 705-2738

 

OSPI - Gender Inclusive Schools

Civil rights laws prohibit discrimination and discriminatory harassment on the basis of gender expression and gender identity in Washington public schools. All students have the right to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school.

 

NATIONAL RESOURCES:

 

It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.

LGBT National Youth Talkline

Free and confidential peer support for the LGBTQ & questioning community ages 25 and younger

 

  • (800) 246-7743

 

PFLAG National Organization

PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents, families, and allies.

 

Trans Lifeline for peer support

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and micro grants non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.

 

  • (877) 565-8860

 

Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ+ Youth

Our trained counselors are here to support you 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call the TrevorLifeline now at:

 

  • 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678678.

  • Chat online

 

The Trevor Project Ally training

This training is designed to create dialogue around being an adult ally for LGBTQ youth.

 

The Trevor Project: The Coming Out Handbook

Explore what coming out means to you with tools and guiding questions.

 

Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

 

Behavioral Health Resources

As a multi-county provider of mental health and addiction recovery services, BHR offers programs and services to individuals, children, youth and families in the areas of mental health and chemical dependency recovery.

 

  • (360) 704-7170

 

The Emily Program

The Emily Program has become nationally recognized for our compassionate and personalized approach to eating disorder awareness, treatment, and lifetime recovery. 

673 Woodland Square Loop SE, Suite 330 Lacey, WA 98503

 

 

St. Peter's Chemical Dependency Treatment

Providence is dedicated to the health of each of our chemically dependent patients. We evaluate each patient holistically and treat them with the respect and concern they deserve.

 

Our full spectrum of care includes detoxification, inpatient treatment and a wide range of services

 

  • (360) 456-7575

 

Washington Recovery Help line

24 hours a day-7 days a week

 

  • 1-866-789-1511 (Call or Text)

 

Partners in Prevention and Education (PIPE)

Free therapy and support groups available to youth and young adult (ages 13-30) survivors of child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault and/or sexual exploitation who are homeless, street-dependent, or at-risk for becoming homeless. 317 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501

 

  • (360) 357-4472

 

Pathways Mental Health Services

Co-occurring Disorders: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Gambling Addiction Counseling.  1230 Carpenter Rd. SE, Suite C-3, Lacey, WA 98503

 

  • (360) 799-5782

 

SeaMar Behavioral Health

We are a state-licensed community mental health agency. Our team of behavioral health providers is committed to the highest quality evidence-based treatment that is individualized to the needs of each child and family.

 

  • 3030 Limited Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98502
  • (360) 491-1399

 

Community Youth Services - Transitional Age Youth Program (TAY)

TAY offers therapy and peer counseling when and where a youth needs it.

 

  • (360) 918-7860

 

Community Youth Services - MultiSystemic Therapy (MST)

MST is effective with providing an intensive home and community based treatment to help families reduce acting out behaviors in their 12-17 year old.

 

  • (360) 918-7860

 

Catholic Community Services - Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe)

WISe is a voluntary service that takes a team approach to meeting your child’s needs. It provides intensive mental health services to support your child and helps your family reach your goals.

 

  • (360) 878-8248

 

Washington's Mental Health Referral (Seattle Children's Hospital

  • 1-866-583-1527

 

Systems of Care Partnership

This site is provided by a coalition of Behavior Health Service Agencies offering a wide range of services in Mason and Thurston Counties. Most (but not all) of the programs are geared toward helping school-age children with behavioral health issues.

 

Seize the Awkward

 

WA State Department of Health - Teen Health Hub

Find links to quality, accurate information on health topics that are important to youth. Each link is vetted by DOH’s Adolescent and Young Adult Health Team and reviewed by the Youth Advisory Council.

 

Non-Medicaid/Private Counseling

Contact your medical insurance provider to obtain a list of in-network counseling providers.

 

Support Groups

 

Family Alliance for Mental Health

Support group for parents with children or youth who struggle with social, emotional, behavioral challenges and mental health needs

 

  • (360) 790-7505

 

SoundCareKids

Grief Support Group for children and teens

 

  • (877) 620-3286 or (360) 493-5928

 

South Sound Parent to Parent

All families caring for someone with special needs will receive the support and resources they need to feel empowered, encouraged, and supported.

  • (360) 352-1126

 

NAMI

NAMI  is an organization that advocates for better lives of those who have a mental illness, and offers support and education

 

Family Education & Support Services

 

Groceries & Meals

 

Olympia School District Child Nutrition Services

Get the most recent information on meal distribution in OSD, including information on Free and Reduced lunches.

 

Olympia Education Foundation

The Principal’s Emergency Fund is a limited resource that assists students who have urgent basic needs. Contact your student’s school principal to learn about our grocery vouchers, which are redeemable at Bayview and Ralph’s Thriftway, Grocery Outlet (Olympia and Lacey) and Capitol Market. 

 

Rosie's Place Engagement Center (for ages 12-24)

We can help with food, shower vouchers, clothing, crisis intervention, shelter, family counseling, first aid, drug/alcohol treatment, hygiene supplies, job search and goal setting, legal support and advocacy, untangling school problems…and more!

 

  • 520 Pear St. S.E., Olympia

  • (360) 943-0780 Ext. 186

 

The Community Kitchen at Salvation Army

Lunch 11 a.m. - noon; Dinner 5 - 6 p.m. (Monday - Saturday)

  • 824 5th Ave. S.E, Olympia

  • (360) 352-8596

 

Thurston County Food Bank

Check website for specific days, times and locations.

  • (360) 352-8597

 

Washington Connection: Apply for Food Benefits

 

Housing & Finance

 

Olympia Education Foundation

The Principal’s Emergency Fund is a limited resource that assists students who have urgent basic needs. Contact your student’s school principal to find out if they are able to provide rental assistance or move-in expenses.

 

Community Action Council

The Community Action Council (CAC) strengthens individuals and families to lessen the impacts of poverty. Particularly in the areas of community engagement, health, hunger and housing.

 

  • (360) 438-1100

 

City Gates Ministries

In the course of connecting people in need to community resources, we seek to help them become emotionally and financially independent of programs and social services.

 

  • (360) 705-0291

 

Employment Security Department Unemployment Benefits

(800) 318-6022

 

Puget Sound Energy Assistance

1-888-225-5773

 

Sacred Heart Emergency Outreach

Food pantry and utility and rent assistance.

(360) 923-0929

 

Catholic Community Services

(360) 753-3340

 

CIELO

(360) 709-0931

 

Community Youth Services

(360) 515-5587

 

Family Support Center of South Sound

(360)754-9297

 

Homes First

(360) 236-0920

 

Housing Authority of Thurston County

(360) 753-8292

 

SafePlace Olympia

(360) 754-6300

 

Rosie's Place Engagement Center

(360) 943-0780

 

Salvation Army

(360) 352-8596

 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides temporary cash for families in need.

 

Emergency Housing Information

Emergency Shelter Hotline

1-844-628-7343

 

United Way of Thurston County

(provides assistance with rent, utilities and other basic needs).

(360) 438-1100 or (360) 943-2773

 

Veterans Families United

Veterans Families United will provide gentle, accessible and holistic healing resources for Veterans.

 

Salvation Army Warm Home Fund

(360) 352-8596

 

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services: Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention

 

Sound Legal Aid

360-705-8194

 

Internet/Phone Options

 

Olympia Education Foundation

The Principal’s Emergency Fund is a limited resource that assists students who have urgent basic needs. Contact your student’s principal to find out if they can help provide free Internet access in your child’s home. (Must live in a Comcast service area and qualify for Free and Reduced Price Meals.)

 

 

Child Care Options

 

 

Laundry

 

Olympia Education Foundation

The Principal’s Emergency Fund is a limited resource that assists students who have urgent basic needs. Contact your student’s school principal to learn about our laundry vouchers, which are redeemable for one wash, dry, and scoop of soap at Westside Laundry. 

 

 

Other Community Resources

 

 

Thurston County Legislators

 

22nd District

 

Sen. Sam Hunt

Contact Information

 

Beth Doglio

Contact Information

 

Rep. Jessica Bateman

Contact Information

 

35th District

 

Rep. Travis Couture

Contact Information

 

Rep. Dan Griffey

Contact Information

 

Rep. Drew MacEwen

Contact Information

 

Parenting Resources and Supports

 

Local Parenting Support and Classes

 

Olympia Education Foundation

Through our Mental Health Initiative, we offer several free presentations throughout the school year to support families in the Olympia School District.

 

Parent Resources and Education

 

Mental Health

If you are concerned about your student’s mental health you can:

 

 

Mental Health Resources

 

Suicide Prevention

 

Educational Resources

 

Parenting Presentations - By OSD Counselors

 

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

 

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

 

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

 

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