Documents
North Star Advisory Group Charter (Revised September 2024)
North Star Guiding Principles (Revised March 2024)
North Star Strategic Framework (Revised May 2024)
In the News
County hires Director of Strategic Initiatives
A new position has been created in Skagit County government to aid in the strategic direction and development of county initiatives, including the public-private North Star partnership.
October 7, 2024Skagit County breaks ground on crisis center expansion
The Skagit STAR Center provides law enforcement and first responders a safe place to drop off community members in crisis who need acute mental health treatment and substance use detox.
August 21, 2024County awarded grant to identify land for affordable housing
The Washington State Dept. of Commerce awarded $50,000 to Skagit County to inventory public land for affordable housing as part of North Star.
March 15, 2024What Factors Increase the Likelihood Unhoused People Will Seek Out Shelters? Part Two
County and cities partner to address the homelessness crisis beyond providing temporary housing.
March 4, 2024Propose supplemental capital budget includes funding for Skagit Stabilization Campus
The state Senate’s proposed supplemental capital budget includes about $4.3 million for construction of the second phase of the Skagit Stabilization Campus in Sedro-Woolley.
February 21, 2024North Star group shares progress and goals in homelessness, mental health care
Mayors and county commissioners are onboard, but nothing can happen without continued support from the city councils.
December 4, 2023Skagit County making progress on mental health, addiction treatment facility
Skagit County’s next big investment in mental health and addiction treatment will include space for 48 people seeking care.
August 25, 2023Skagit County Releases Point-in-Time Count of People Experiencing Homelessness in 2023
Led by Community Action of Skagit County in partnership with Skagit County Public Health, many community partners, and dozens of volunteers.
May 19, 202370 New Homes for Our Most Vulnerable Neighbors: Martha’s Place Opens Its Doors
Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington, the City of Mount Vernon, and Skagit County are excited to announce the grand opening of Martha’s Place located at 1925 E. College Way in Mount Vernon.
April 26, 2023Funding Secured for Upcoming Shortfall Faced by Skagit First Step Center
Leaders embraced the challenge to meet the needs of community members experiencing homelessness.
March 16, 2023Homeless services facing a shortage of funding
For the past year and a half, the Skagit First Step Center has served as the county’s only low-barrier homeless shelter, but now its future is uncertain.
March 2, 2023Skagit County North Star Project Moves into Phase 2
Updates and plans for Phase 2.
January 12, 2023Skagit County agrees to settlement with opioid distributors
The settlement is a great opportunity to fund a program that will come out of the county’s North Star Project.
September 19, 2023Skagit County North Star Project Call to Action Signed by Local Elected Officials
Signatories of the Call to Action acknowledge that government alone cannot solve the current crisis but recognize an obligation and an opportunity to lay a foundation for the systems change work that is necessary.
July 26, 2022Speaker: Empathy, collaboration keys to better behavioral health care
A pioneer in mental health and substance abuse care called on Skagit County’s care providers Thursday to adopt a more empathetic model.
June 17, 2022City councils brought in on countywide homeless, behavioral health projects
Leaders in tackling the homeless and behavioral health crises in Skagit County asked members of the city councils within the county on Tuesday for their support in truly building a healthy community.
June 14, 2022Skagit County looking for its ‘North Star’ on homelessness, behavioral health
Skagit County’s elected officials, city leaders and community leaders have started to align their efforts on homelessness and behavioral health.
April 26, 2022Skagit County Launches North Star Project to Address Behavioral Health and Homelessness
Skagit County has recently launched the North Star Project, a multi-phased whole-of-government effort to address behavioral health and homelessness challenges in our community.
April 26, 2022