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Celebrating Community Health Workers

August 26, 2025 by Elle Prax Leave a Comment

This week, August 25–29, 2025, we join communities across the nation in celebrating the third annual National Community Health Worker Awareness Week (NCHWAW). We honor the incredible commitment of all those who are in frontline public health roles and their significant impacts in social services, health care, and beyond.

At North Sound Community Hub, we are proud to partner with 24 CHWs through our contracted care coordination organizations. Their knowledge, compassion, and responsive support to our communities allow voices to be heard and improve systems of care for all.

One of them is Kristena Sheldon, Care Coordinator at North County CARES, who believes that no one should feel alone when seeking help.

“I love the outcome-based nature of the program, so we are not just going to people and handing them a piece of paper with phone numbers on it,” she explained. “We’re really able to walk with them through the process and make sure their needs are actually met.”

She recalled a client experiencing isolation but was hesitant to visit the senior center on their own. Rather than only offering information, she personally accompanied them, turning a referral into an opportunity for belonging.

“Community health workers are people who strongly identify with their community and have lived experience with the same struggles that our clients are going through, and are able to make connections that maybe other providers are not able to,” she added.

(from left) North County CARES Program Supervisor Brian Price, and Care Coordinators Michael Golder and Kristena Sheldon with North Sound ACH Chief Transformation Officer Arlesia Bailey.

In recognition of this essential workforce and network of partners, North Sound Community Hub is hosting the Community-Based Worker (CBW) Conference on October 3, 2025, at the Mount Vernon Library Commons. This gathering will strengthen the collective efforts of CHWs, promotores de salud, doulas, and others who play a vital role in advancing health and well-being across our region.

📅 For more event details and registration, visit northsoundach.org/2025-cbw-gathering.

Air Quality Is Community Care – Be Ready For 2025!

July 9, 2025 by Elle Prax Leave a Comment

As summer rolls in, so does the wildfire season here in the Pacific Northwest. While we can’t predict exactly how much smoke we’ll get, we can take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This guide will help you get prepared, understand the risks, and know where to find reliable information.

Download our Breathe Easy, Be Ready flyer by clicking here!

What’s in Wildfire Smoke?

Smoke contains a mixture of:

– Particulate matter (PM2.5)
– Carbon monoxide
– Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

These pollutants are commonly found in wildfires, prescribed burns, wood stoves, and even certain indoor sources. The tiny particles in smoke (PM2.5) are so small they can sneak past your body’s defenses, getting deep into your lungs and your bloodstream.

How Smoke Affects Your Health

Prolonged exposure to inhaling smoke can lead to inflammation and aggravate pre-existing health issues like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease. Some other symptoms you might notice are:

– Burning eyes or a scratchy throat
– Coughing, headaches, and fatigue
– Wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain
– Asthma attacks or irregular heartbeat
– Mental stress and anxiety

While smoke affects everyone, some people are more vulnerable, including:

– Children and older adults
– Pregnant individuals
– People with asthma, heart disease, or other health conditions

Children, whose lungs are still developing, and older adults, whose immune systems may be weaker, are at higher risk. Pregnant individuals also need to be cautious as smoke exposure, and its harmful particles entering the bloodstream, is linked to fetal development. People with preexisting medical conditions may also experience worsened symptoms due to the added strain on their cardiovascular system.

Focus on Your Indoor Air Quality

Taking the time to focus on indoor air quality can make all of the difference in reducing exposure during smoky days. Here are a few simple ways to do that:

– Use HEPA portable air cleaners
– Change your HVAC filters regularly (use MERV 13 or higher, if your system allows)
– Make a DIY box fan filter (easy, affordable, and effective!)
– Avoid activities that create indoor smoke, like burning candles or frying food

Quick Tips to Reduce Smoke Exposure During a Wildfire

✅ Stay indoors as much as possible
✅ Keep windows and doors closed
✅ Use air filtration tools like HEPA filters or DIY fan boxes
✅ Check your HVAC system and upgrade filters if needed
✅ Follow air quality updates in your area

Stay Informed – Save these websites!

*Washington Smoke Blog – Your go-to for air quality and wildfire updates across Washington
*WA Dept. of Ecology Clean Air Agencies Map – Find your local clean air agency
*EPA Smoke-Ready Toolbox – Resources for communities preparing for wildfire smoke
*AirNow Wildfire Guide – Health advice and real-time smoke maps

Wildfire smoke is a part of life here in the PNW—but with a little planning, you can breathe easier and stay healthier. Share this info with friends, stock up on filters, and keep your space clean and safe. Here’s to a safer, healthier summer!

Educational Materials

– Download the flyer
– Download the social media post
If you have questions or would like to share wildfire resources please reach out to Vanessa Diaz at Vanessa@NorthSoundACH.org

Stronger Together, This Summer and Beyond

June 2, 2025 by Liz Baxter Leave a Comment

This past month I went to an event featuring Clyde Ford—an author, software engineer, chiropractor, psychotherapist, and boat captain (wow)—who shared stories about cruising the Inside Passage. On the surface, it was an evening about boating the Northwest waterways, but it was so much more: the history of people of color and sailing, who has a right to be on the water, the assumptions we make about privilege and inclusion, and how we build community.

Bryan Rust from the Community Boating Center and Denice Rochelle from The Bronze Chapter (two Network members!) opened the evening by speaking about expanding opportunities for people of color—of any age or ability—to get out on the water and build connections in this special place we call home.

It was a great reminder for all of us to say yes to the invitations we receive from each other.

On another note, Cynthia Andrews and I traveled to Concord, California, to talk about North Sound with community leaders there. After nearly two years of planning with community, Contra Costa was hosting its first ACH convening and invited us to reflect on what we’ve learned over the past nine years—especially around equity and leading with love. We came away with deep insights and inspiration from them as they embark on their own journey, and as always, it was a joy to share the incredible work you do.

Note: Washington is still the only state with ACHs (nine) covering the entire state, but California has funded 36 so far. This booklet outlines their work, with a map on page 3 showing where those ACHs are located. Washington’s ACHs also have a coalition where all nine regions collaborate to build a fabric of care and connection across the state. The WA Coalition of ACHs has launched a new website where you can explore the regions and our collective work.

For the first time since moving north nine years ago, Nance and I visited the Skagit Tulip Festival—which, of course, inspired a flurry of garden cleanup and planting in our own little yard. Our trip came just one week after the ICE raid at Mt. Baker Roofing in Whatcom County. As we wandered the gardens in awe, we couldn’t ignore the knowledge that many of the farm’s workers were showing up under unimaginable stress. They are part of our community—and threats to them are threats to all of us.

We are surrounded by contradictions. Community members being detained and facing deportation. Global conflicts intensifying. Summer heat and wildfires already impacting parts of the country. Even when these issues feel far away, they are deeply local because of the diversity and interconnection within North Sound communities.

We’re also living through a growing backlash against equity and diversity. Some in our communities are at risk of losing jobs, housing, and even safety—facing a rising sentiment that they (we) don’t belong or haven’t earned what we’ve worked for. But we do belong. We are here, in every community.

Please take advantage of time together this summer and beyond. That’s the reason for the ACH and the Collaborative Action Network: to help us connect, see one another, and be seen. These connections are what will carry us through chaotic times and help us build toward the future we imagine.

Outside forces may try to divide us, but we must resist that pressure. We are not just trying to win campaigns—we are fighting for our collective future, and for those who come after us. That’s why we gather. We are stronger together.

Partner Spotlight: Setting Sun Institute

May 2, 2025 by Megan Stephenson 2 Comments

CSSP Launches Indigenous-Led Think Tank and Hosts “Netse Mot” One People Gathering

In October 2024, Children of the Setting Sun Productions (CSSP) hosted four inspiring events in Seattle, introducing the world to their new institute’s mission and vision while sharing CSSP’s enduring message of unity, strength, and hope.

Sky Scholfield, Executive Director of the Setting Sun Institute, speaks at their launch event. Meg Stephenson / North Sound ACH

The first event marked the official launch of the Setting Sun Institute (SSI), an Indigenous-led think tank and initiative of CSSP. SSI aims to elevate Indigenous perspectives in public life through storytelling, collaboration, and education. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with the SSI team, partners, and supporters while engaging in discussions centered around collective vision and the role Indigenous knowledge plays in shaping a more equitable future.

The second event, the One People Gathering, also known as “Netse Mot,” was held at the Paramount Theater and drew in over 5,500 attendees across two performances. Rooted in the Coast Salish teaching of “One Heart, One Mind,” the gathering focused on unity, collaboration, and working together toward shared goals. Dallas Goldtooth, along with a diverse lineup of activists, artists, and storytellers, delivered a powerful day of inspiration and entertainment. Over 1,000 students attended the daytime performance, while more than 4,500 people watched the evening event in person and online. Children of the Setting Sun emphasized the gathering’s core message: the urgent need for communities to come together to confront today’s critical challenges, including environmental justice and cultural preservation.

Coast Salish families shared song and dance with Netse Mot attendees. Meg Stephenson / North Sound ACH

The weekend of events served as a powerful reminder of CSSP’s commitment to a future where Indigenous perspectives are valued and woven into decision-making processes, advancing justice and sustainability for all. The entire Netse Mot event can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/96NBizj1LpQ.

If you would like to reach out to the Children of the Setting Sun please do not hesitate, they can be reached at childrenofthesettingsun.org.

Building an Ecosystem

April 30, 2025 by Liz Baxter Leave a Comment

I have lost track of the number of times I’m asked:

“What is going to happen with Washington’s waiver?”
“Will there still be funding for Medicaid programs?”
“Do we have to change our program, our goals, etc. because of shifts at the federal level?”

The short answer is usually some human version of the shrug emoji. It is hard to minimize the impact when people in our communities are being detained – without warning, without reasons, and without any understanding of the process that will follow their detainment. Families are being disrupted; jobs and incomes lost.

Can I imagine myself in that scenario – an unmarked vehicle, armed individuals without identification, unwilling to answer questions, being handcuffed and taken away from my job, my family, at a store, a community center, my home?

If we cannot imagine that for ourselves, a family member, a neighbor, a friend – terror, trauma, agony – then we cannot be the strongest advocates, bearing witness to what is happening in our neighborhoods.

So, let’s go a bit wonky for a few moments: the complexity for North Sound ACH is that our organization is strong, and hopefully can withstand the policy changes that may come our way. But North Sound ACH is also part of a network that currently has more than 230 organizations across the region.

If the network has tendrils connecting us, then what happens with any group of partners should be of concern to us all. We are either building a connected ecosystem, or we are simply aware of each other. I’d like to think that we are building deeper ties to each other and therefore we care as much about what is happening to others as we do about ourselves.

One of my mentors, Michael J. Garland, D. Sc. Rel., introduced me to Elinor Ostrom’s work around the Commons, which has in turn influenced the ACH strategies. The sustainability of North Sound ACH is built upon how well we connect and build relationships with one another. That connection makes us stronger; especially at a time when forces try to separate us, and have us mistrust others around us.

The stressors coming to communities from federal, state, and local decision makers may tempt us to build fences and defend our precious spaces. But in the long run, we have to be together, and find ways to work together. It is only in those connections that we will all get to thrive.