May 7, 2021
For Immediate Release
Jefferson County Public Health
Anna McEnery, amcenery@co.jefferson.wa.us

The Jefferson County Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) is looking for additional projects for the next grant cycle.  Jefferson County established this active, cross-disability committee in accordance with the Accessible Communities Act and the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment. Since 2015, the County has received more than $168,000 in funding for staffing and projects that focus on raising awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities through education, access and barrier removal. 

On behalf of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, Anna McEnery, Developmental Disabilities Coordinator, pulled together a group of people who have a disability and/or work in the field, volunteer or are a family member of a person with a disability to create a local ACAC. Current members of the ACAC include: John Ammeter, John Frasca, Sarah Grossman, Carl Hanson, Patrick Johnson, Emily Mandelbaum, Kelly Matlock, Mark McCauley, Kim Rafferty, Pat Teal, Nancy Villagran and Shirley Williams.

For the years of 2020/2021, the Jefferson County ACAC applied for and received $41,140.24 in grant funding. The following is a list of local projects that met the objectives of improving awareness, acceptance, inclusion and access for people with disabilities in our community.  

The following is a list of ACAC Projects:  

• ADA Accessible Main Doors at Brinnon Community Center
• ADA Access at Coyle Center - Accessible Parking Lot
• ADA Access at Coyle Center- Accessible Restroom Doors
• Fort Worden PDA- Accessible Hearing Equipment 
• Jefferson County Public Health - Accessible Hearing Equipment 
• Port Townsend City Chetzemoka Park, - ADA Restroom Access/Signage
• Quilcene School District- Garden Accessibility

The Committee is planning a virtual ACAC Community Forum, to discuss the next round of grants for Jefferson County. The Forum is scheduled for Monday, May 17, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm. 

If you would like to attend the Forum, if you have an idea for a grant project or would like additional information about the ACAC, please call 360-385-9410, or send an email to: amcenery@co.jefferson.wa.us. 

Committee members are available to support applicants with their ACAC grant proposals.

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Jefferson County Public Health
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Community