Kitsap County Commission on Children and Youth-Landing Page

Commission on Children and Youth

Program Overview

In 1992, as a step towards improving state services for children, Washington State lawmakers officially established the Family Policy Council, charged with making social programs and policies more responsive to the needs of families. Community Public Policy Health and Safety Networks were established by the Legislature in 1994 - using Family Policy Principles - as a way to give communities a larger role by tackling their own social problems.

The Commission on Children and Youth became the local Community Public Health and Safety Network for Kitsap County in August of 2000. The Youth Commission supports activities that increase the capacity for the community to build developmental assets among youth. The Commission also serves as an advisory board to the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, and the Local Public Health and Safety Network. Learn more about the Commission on Children and Youth Advisory Board and how you can get involved.

Key Focus Areas

There are four key areas that the Youth Commission has identified as priorities to support and promote the development, health, and well-being of Kitsap County children and youth:

Child Abuse and Neglect
Youth Substance Abuse
Youth Engagement/Drop-Out Intervention
Youth Violence

News & Events

2026 kitsap youth forum flyer with date and time

Join us Thursday, March 19, for the 2026 Kitsap Youth Forum at Olympic College, 1600 Chester Ave., Bremerton from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be local policy makers present to listen to youth ideas and concerns. Youth offerings of new and fresh perspectives will contribute to the creation of laws, rules, and regulations for the future. Register for the 2026 Youth Forum here, the event is free and open to everyone! View or print the event flyer.

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2026 Commission on Children and Youth (CCY) Request for Proposals (RFP) now open for programs that prevent and reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through building resiliency. Read the full annoucement or view the legal ad and learn more about the RFP and application process. Applications close Friday, April 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Visit the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey (askhys.net) to explore the data dashboard or view the 2025 survey results when available April 2026.

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Check out the video below highlighting one of CCY projects - My Shoes, My Story