Thurston County Public Health and Social Services

08/31/2026

Join Franklin Street Harm Reduction and us to memorialize loved ones lost to overdose.

💜Celebrate with us to support those in recovery and those impacted by addiction. Connect with community providers to learn all the different resources available. It will be a full and festive day. https://ow.ly/pwUc50ZuPwq

This Wednesday! September 2nd, 11-4

Thank you Thurston County Public Health and Social Services for inviting us to co-host this event with you.

It’s likely to be a wet one, so dress accordingly and be prepared to celebrate in the rain.

The First Christian Church will also be open with snack bags, music, open mic, and tabling as well.

Franklin Street Harm Reduction will be open for a quiet community art project and a dry place to step away from the crowd.

If you have a canopy, do bring it.

We can’t wait to see you for our first annual harm reduction block party, for International Overdose Awareness Day!

Thank you to all of our volunteers and agencies tabling for coming together. This is going to be a beautiful event.

💜

08/31/2026

🐮🧼If you are visiting a farm or fair in the coming weeks, remember to wash yours and your child’s hands often—especially after visiting animal areas or before or after eating and handling food. Twenty seconds is the time that it takes to properly wash your hands. https://ow.ly/Wbkn50SIB9l

08/30/2026

Grief touches us all, but no one has to carry it alone. On Grief Awareness Day, take a moment to check in with someone you care about, listen without judgment, and remind them that support matters. Together, we can help create a more compassionate community. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988, or chat online, to connect with free, confidential support 24/7.

08/29/2026

Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children 1-4. It can happen to anyone, but the risk is greatest for children. That's why learning the 5 layers of protection can help save lives while enjoying the water this summer. Learn more at: https://ow.ly/PPMn50Zwkwn

08/28/2026

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) doesn't just cause ge***al warts, it can cause cancer of the p***s, a**s, throat, cervix, va**na, and v***a. HPV vaccine prevents these cancers.
Learn more at https://ow.ly/YpJe50ZkQ8O

08/28/2026

Get rid of medication you don't need! Find a location near you at: https://ow.ly/snGH50S31pJ
¡Deshazte de los medicamentos que ya no usas! Encuentra un lugar cerca de ti en: https://ow.ly/snGH50S31pJ

08/28/2026

🍎With the school year starting up, check out these tips on when to stop when school bus lights are flashing 🚌🚨

🛑Flashing red lights or stop arm out? STOP.
🛑On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop.
🛑On roads with three or more marked lanes, drivers traveling in the opposite direction generally do not have to stop, but drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus always do.

School buses are back on Washington roads! And that means it's time for a refresher on when to stop. 🚌🛑

During a single day in 2026, Washington school bus drivers reported 960 illegal passes. If that pace continued across the 180-day school year, it would amount to more than 172,000 violations.

With nearly 341,000 Washington students riding the bus each day, knowing the rules matters.

🛑Flashing red lights or stop arm out? STOP.
🛑On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop.
🛑On roads with three or more marked lanes, drivers traveling in the opposite direction generally do not have to stop, but drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus always do.

Illegally passing a stopped school bus carries a mandatory $500 fine.

Check out the graphic for a quick guide and read our full press release here: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/school-buses-are-back-know-when-stop to learn more about school bus safety, Washington's stopping laws, and what drivers should know as students head back to school.

When in doubt, stop!

08/27/2026

Septic tank pumping is a necessary part of life with a septic system, but how exactly do you decide when it’s time to pump? Every septic system and household is different, so there’s no one right answer, but we recommend pumping on a routine every 3-5 years. https://ow.ly/tShJ50Znusz

08/27/2026

Parents can provide indirect protection to their babies by ensuring everyone around them is up to date with their whooping cough vaccine. https://ow.ly/niYN50Y7M6l

08/26/2026

Last week was a blast! 🎉 We had a wonderful time connecting with our community at the Thurston County Resource Fairs. Our PHSS staff administered 214 vaccines to 90 individuals and shared a variety of FREE health and safety resources, including:
🚙Car Seats & Certified Car Seat Checks
🔒 Medication lock bags
❤️ Condoms & pregnancy tests
🔐 Gun locking devices
💜 Naloxone
📚 Educational and community resources

A huge thank you to all of our community partners and staff who participated, shared resources, and helped make both events fun, welcoming, and successful! We appreciate everything you do to support the health and well-being of our community. 💙