The Bainbridge Island Police Department welcomes Kelsey Lynch as its first full-time Community Health Navigator. The role is intended to support a more integrated approach between law enforcement and social services.
Kelsey previously worked out of Poulsbo City Hall, serving as a Behavioral Health Navigator for the Poulsbo Police Department and the Bainbridge Island Police Department. During the 2021-2022 budget process, the BIPD eliminated an open police officer position and created the full-time Community Health Navigator position to help Bainbridge Island clients navigate resources available to them outside the criminal justice system.
Kelsey grew up in Washougal and spent most of her youth in the pool. She began swimming competitively at 7 years old, which led to distance swimming for Washington State University. She graduated from WSU in 2012 with bachelor's degrees in psychology and general biology. From there, she served as an Education Volunteer in the Peace Corps in South Africa where she taught math and sex education. She then went on to complete her master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver. Kelsey worked as a family therapist in Denver prior to moving back to Washington.
She currently lives on Bainbridge Island with her chocolate lab, Buster. In her free time, she likes taking Buster for walks, crabbing off her paddleboard and traveling.
Learn more about Kelsey and her role in the March COBI Connects (page 3). She’ll also be participating in the March 23 “Lunch with the Chief” virtual event at 12 p.m. on Zoom. Join the event here: https://bainbridgewa.zoom.us/j/97697188168 (registration is not required).