Recreation Policies and Information

Financial Assistance

Thank you for your interest in financial assistance and joining Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District. There are two distinct ways patrons can take advantage of financial assistance programs. The Park District allots money annually to Helpline House, from which Helpline House distributes funds to individuals and families. The Park District also participates in programs offered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration with assistance from the WA State Department of Social and Health Services, which provides individuals with Individual and Family Services Basic Plus or Core Waivers.

Helpline House

The Park District allots funds annually to the Helpline House financial assistance program, allowing individuals and families to participate in activities, programs, and events. We have partnered with the Helpline House to distribute the funds based on many factors. The Helpline House counselors evaluate each case individually to determine the funding available to distribute. Helpline House scholarships can apply to any Park District program except the competitive teams (BISC, BAM, and Gymnastic Teams).

Getting Started

Call Helpline House to arrange an appointment with a caseworker.

Helpline House
282 Knechtel Way NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Phone: (206) 842-7621
helpline@helplinehouse.org

Business Hours
Monday-Friday
9:00a-5:00p

IFS Waiver Assistance Program

Developmental Disabilities Administration, with assistance from the WA State Department of Social and Health Services, offers Individual and Family Services (IFS) Basic Plus or Core Waivers for individuals who require waiver services to remain in the family home. While the Park District does not contract directly with the state for these waivers, we have established a program within the same parameters.

Participant Eligibility of Activities and Programs

• Participants must be at least three years old, living in the same household as a family member, and meet financial and disability eligibility.
• Participants must be enrolled in WA State IFS, Basic Plus, or Core Waiver programs.
• Participants must be capable of participating in an activity/program independently or with a caregiver or Park District recreation companion.
• Participants must meet all essential requirements for the activity/program (Contact the DDA Coordinator for more information).

What programs / classes are eligible for these waivers?

Most Park District classes are eligible for enrollment, but not all. Please confirm eligibility with the Park District’s Coordinator or appropriate manager.

How do you enroll in the IFS Waivers Assistance Program?

Submit your state-issued Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) to the Recreation Superintendent, Bryan Garoutte, at bryang@biparks.org.

1. Receive acceptance into the program and confirmation of approved financial assistance amount for the year/season.
2. Please complete the program registration form and submit it to bryang@biparks.org. Please include second—and third-choice activities if your first-choice activities are full at registration. The Park District can’t guarantee your choices, as they will depend on when you register the participant.
3. Confirmation of registration will be emailed to the parent/guardian.

Refunds and Waitlists

Refunds

Refunds will be issued as a credit to your credit card or as a check to the address on your account. Please note that check refunds can take two to four weeks to process.

• Programs canceled by the Park District will receive a full refund.
• We cannot grant refunds for requests made after the program begins.

Unless a doctor’s note is received for injury or illness, the following refund policy applies:

• Cancellations or transfers made through our online registration system, by phone, or in person at least eight days prior to the start of the program will be approved, minus a $10 non-refundable service charge. The eight-day period includes the day the class begins. For example, if a program begins on November 8, the requester must submit the refund request no later than November 1.

Waitlists

Many activities that have full registration will offer a waitlist. Waitlist placements are filled in the order that they are received. Participants will be notified by email when a spot becomes available. Participants have 24 hours to reply after notification. The Park District will only collect fees after participant placement.

Inclusion / Accessibility Services

What is an accommodation?

An accommodation is a modification to an activity or class that enables people with specific challenges or needs to participate fully or to their personal capability. The District requests at least two weeks’ notice before the first activity meeting to determine whether reasonable accommodation is possible. Although the District will make every reasonable effort to meet your needs, not all accommodation requests are possible. The District evaluates each request on a case-by-case basis.

Recreation Companion

A Recreation (Rec) Companion is a trained BIMPRD staff member or volunteer who provides individualized attention and support to facilitate an individual’s program participation. The Rec Companion program strives to support all participants, regardless of ability, who want to participate in any recreation program at no additional cost to the participant.

For more information on how to request a Rec Companion or on how to become a Rec Companion, contact info@biparks.org.

How do I request an accommodation or recreation companion?

The Park District will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy Park District programs, services, and activities. Anyone who requires auxiliary aid assistance for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a Park District program, service, or activity should contact info@biparks.org.

Personal Services

The Park District will consider permitting a personal caregiver to accompany a paying participant for individual services like feeding, dressing, toileting, medication administration, and behavior monitoring (for example, to control aggression or flight risk).

The caregiver would be arranged and paid for entirely by the participant and solely responsible for ensuring that the participant’s personal services needs are met throughout the entire activity. The Park District would waive the caregiver’s class and transportation fees when accompanying the participant. Contact staff immediately after registering so the Park District can determine whether accompaniment by a caregiver would be a reasonable accommodation for the activity.