Financial Health

Managing your financial health is a key part of your overall well-being. Our community offers a range of resources designed to help you build stability.

This includes programs that help with the cost of essential items like housing assistance, utility bill support, and grocery benefits. For longer-term goals, you can connect with services offering free tax preparation, budgeting workshops, and career counseling to help you find a new job or advance in your current one.

We all need support at times, and reaching out for help is a proactive step toward building a more secure financial future.

Find Financial Assistance Programs

While it can be hard to ask for help, we all have times in our lives when we need support, and there is help available!

Washington State Resources:

Explore state government programs that offer financial aid, including TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

Washington Search 2-1-1: Searchable directory for food access and other local programs and services.

Working Connections Childcare (DSHS): Financial assistance with childcare for qualifying families.

Refugee Cash Assistance: Helps eligible refugees and other humanitarian immigrants by providing cash assistance for up to twelve months from their arrival date in the United States.

Island County Resources:

Reach out to support agencies like Island County Human Services, Island Senior Resources, and the Opportunity Council, who can guide you through the application processes for various assistance programs and help you identify which ones you're eligible for.

There are assistance programs available for specific needs, such as food, housing, or utility bills. View the below housing services, visit the Island County Opportunity Council, and view the food assistance section for additional support.

Veterans Assistance: Find available support through Island County Human Services.

Whidbey Island:

Whidbey Essential Needs: Help with practical needs like housing set-up expenses, utilities, and one-time expenses like car repairs.

Camano Island:

Community Resource Center of Stanwood Camano: Variety of financial assistance programs to help meet essential needs, including food access.

Community Coalition of Stanwood Camano: Find local assistance programs for the Stanwood-Camano community.

Find Transportation Options

Whether you need to get to a medical appointment, run errands, or visit with friends, reliable transportation is key to staying healthy and connected

Free transportation: Island Transit offers free rides on Whidbey & Camano Islands, Monday through Saturday.

Regional options: Community Transit supports transportation in Snohomish County. Skagit Transit: find public transportation in Skagit County. Find local ferry schedules from Washington State Ferries.

Medical transportation:

NW Regional Council offers non-emergency transportation for Medicaid medical appointments.

Island Senior Resources Medical Transportation: ISR’s Medical Transportation Program provides Whidbey seniors private rides to medical appointments and essential errands.

Island Transit Paratransit: Island Transit provides fare-free public transportation services.

Develop Budgeting Skills

By tracking spending and using budgeting tools you can gain control over your finances, reduce debt, and save for the future.

Create your budget. Use the budget management tools from MyMoney Five offered by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC). Use budgeting apps that may be available through your bank or another financial institution.

Define clear, attainable financial goals, such as saving for an emergency fund, paying off debt, or saving for a large purchase. This helps prioritize your spending.

Sign up for local classes: At The Opportunity Council about personal finance to improve your budgeting skills. Check out resource from the Washington Office of the Treasurer to make informed decisions about your finances.

Planning for retirement: Retirement planning resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a US government agency.

Preventing scams: Losing money or property to scams and fraud can be devastating. This resource from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) can help you prevent, recognize, and report scams and fraud.

Youth financial education: Resource from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to support K-12 financial education. Intended for classroom use.

Grow Your Career

Focusing on career planning can help you move towards your goals with clarity. Use the below info to develop budgeting skills and plan your career.

Identify your interests and skills. Conduct self-assessments to understand your strengths, interests, and values. You can explore career pathways, take a career quiz, and get support by visiting the Career Bridge website.

Develop a professional network. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field.

For high school students, use this resource from the Washington Student Achievement Council to start planning your career pathway.

Learn a new skill or explore a career path with continuing and community education offered by Skagit Valley College. SVC also offers programs in the trades, including their “Try-A-Trade" events alongside intensive training programs for careers in plumbing, HVAC, welding, and more. Everett Community College also provides regional apprenticeship opportunities in the trades, as well as a variety of career programs. Explore career pathways, including apprenticeship, on-the-job training, national service, 2-year and 4-year university programs, and more, from GearUp Washington State.

Need help getting your GED, English Language support, or High School Completion? Check out the local basic education programs offered by Skagit Valley College.

Find employment options: Visit the WorkFirst Washington site for help navigating employment options. Visit the DSHS career resources page to find additional guidance, including support for adults with disabilities seeking employment.

Develop job skills: Get support in developing job skills by working with Opportunity Council.