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$14 million for homeless services
In late January, I was very pleased to announce the funding awards for the Communities Supporting Safe & Stable Housing (CSSSH) program, a total of $14.3 million for 2013. In addition to many agencies we have funded previously, these awards will support populations of homeless people who have been underserved, including seniors, youth, immigrants and refugees, and Native Americans. At total of 25 community agencies and 64 programs were funded through two procurement processes:
- A Request for Investments (RFI) process, open to agencies providing day center and placement as well as stabilization and support services for people who are homeless; and
- A Letter of Intent (LOI) process for agencies that provide shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing services; LOI applicants were rated only on their responses to questions related to the investment principles (see below).
Among the organizations (and the people they serve) that were given contracts for the first time for homeless services:
- Pike Market Senior Center serving senior citizens
- Neighborhood House serving immigrants and refugees
- Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets serving homeless youth
- Seattle Indian Center serving Native Americans
In 2012, HSD released the CSSSH Investment Plan to improve the City's ability to prevent and end homelessness, while maintaining its commitment to providing safe and available shelters and essential services for people who need them. The plan created a set of investment principles which set clear expectations and standards for all providers seeking HSD funds: 1. Provide culturally relevant and linguistically competent services 2. Maintain high-quality standards for facilities and program operations 3. Commit to neighborhood health and safety standards 4. Coordinate and integrate services with community networks and mainstream service systems 5. Collect and submit high quality data using the Safe Harbors Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) We are excited that the plan is moving forward in the form of our first funding awards.
Dannette R. Smith
Director, Seattle Human Services Department |
Youth Education, Career and Resource Fair on Feb. 15
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Hundreds of youth will have a chance to learn about higher education and career opportunities at the annual Youth Education, Career and Resource Fair, to be held on Feb. 15, 2013 at the Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. S, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sponsored by the Seattle Youth Employment Consortium members, Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP), SeaMar Community Health Centers, MetroCenter YMCA, and YouthCare, the fair will feature 60+ vendors and workshops that focus on resume writing, interviewing, and applying for schools and employment.
For more information contact the SYEP office at 684-0293 or tina.inay@seattle.gov. |
New funding opportunity related to caregiving
| The 2013 King County Kinship Navigator and Kinship Collaboration Coordinator Request for Investment (RFI) was released on February 4, 2013 by the Seattle Human Services Department's Aging & Disability Services division.
A kinship caregiver is a relative such as a grandparent, uncle, or sister caring for a child 18 or younger whose own parents are unable or unwilling to do so. Two related programs have been combined into one contract through this RFI process:
- The Kinship Navigator will connect kinship caregivers to community resources such as health, financial and legal services, support groups, and emergency funds. A maximum of $76,306 in state Aging and Disability Services Administration funds will be awarded for this service.
- The Kinship Collaboration award will enhance community outreach and collaboration among caregivers. A maximum of $39,310 in state Children's Administration funds will be awarded.
The deadline to submit Kinship Navigator and Collaboration RFI applications is March 20, 2013. For more information, please contact Doug Ricker, Seattle Human Services Department, at 206-684-0292 or doug.ricker@seattle.gov or visit this Web site. | |
A plan for housing for persons with AIDS
| The Seattle Human Services Department has released the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Investment Plan. The plan is based on the significant work of the HIV Housing Leadership Collaborative, which convened in Spring 2012 to find ways to expand the inventory of housing available to low-income people with HIV/AIDS, streamline the process for accessing and retaining housing, and increase the leverage and impact of HOPWA funds.
The plan provides a road map for 2013 through 2016 with a shift in investment priorities, principles, and outcomes while meeting the federal HOPWA goals of homelessness prevention and housing access and stability. The plan will inform two Request for Investment processes to implement the new priorities.
We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the plan by February 21st. For more information, please contact Kim von Henkle, Seattle Human Services Department, at kim.vonhenkle@seattle.gov or 206-615-1573.
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Outreach to homeless youth at Westlake Park
| The Westlake Pilot Project to reach out to homeless youth has been staffed and operating since November 2012.
The outreach ream consists of two full-time Human Services Department staff members who make daily visits to Westlake Park and surrounding downtown areas including other local parks, and weekly visits to the Orion Center and ROOTS shelters. The primary goal thus far has been to observe key trends and issues and establish rapport with vulnerable young people.
The team works on three shifts that are incorporated into their weekly schedule: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, 12:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, and 3:30 p.m. to midnight on Tuesdays. The team has observed new and younger youth and young adults who appear to be transient.
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HSD works to prevent flu among homeless clients | |
In anticipation of the flu season, the Seattle Human Services Department facilitated the provision of flu shots at the City Hall shelter on the morning of Dec. 20, 2012. American Medical Response (the ambulance company that provides transportation for Medic One) provided the flu shots. Another clinic will be scheduled soon. As a matter of routine, all shelter providers are required to adhere to health and hygiene standards; Public Health-Seattle & King County works with our contractors on many health and hygiene issues and provides consultation around risk reduction practices such as hand washing and blanket management to prevent the spread of infection.
HSD also has a $1.5 million annual contract with Public Health to help fund the Health Care for the Homeless Network (HCHN). HCHN in coordination with Public Health Reserve Corps volunteers provide flu shots every year to homeless persons at numerous downtown shelters and day centers. HCHN providers also give shots at a mobile medical van at south and east King County meal programs and HCHN nurses provide shots at 12 supportive housing programs. |
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SHA opens Section 8 waiting list | The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) is opening a new waiting list this sprin g for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) using a lottery system with registration available online only. The head of household must be 18 years or older (or an emancipated minor) at the time they receive a voucher, but there is no age requirement for lottery registration. The registration period is now open and will run through February 22nd. For more information, please see this Web site or call 206-239-1674. SHA has also received word of two fraudulent Web sites that are attempting to scam people interested in the waiting list. For more information, please click here. |
FREE spay services
| | Does your pet need to be spayed or neutered? Seattle Animal Shelter's Spay and Neuter Clinic has the fix for you...and it's FREE! To coincide  with World Spay Day, the Seattle Animal Shelter's Spay and Neuter Clinic is offering FREE spay/neuter services to pets scheduled for surgery Feb. 22-March 1. These surgeries usually cost between $120-$155 for dogs, $85-$90 for cats and $75 for rabbits.
To take advantage of this special offer, pets of Seattle residents must be currently licensed or you can purchase one during the appointment. A one-year license is $20 for cats/$27 for dogs, or a two-year license is $27 for cats/$37 for dogs. Vaccinations, if necessary, are $10 each. Spaying and neutering are safe, routine surgeries that prevent animals from breeding. They also reduce the risk of serious health problems, eliminate undesirable behaviors such as fighting and spraying, and reduce inter-dog aggression. Dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered at five months of age or older. Call 206-386-4260 to schedule an appointment, or visit this Web site to learn more. |
| Senior Coffee Hours in February | The Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens is sponsoring two Coffee Hours in the month of February:
 | | Pete Holmes |
Tuesday, February 19 (a rescheduled event)
Speaker: Terrie Johnston, Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention Coordinator
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Four Freedoms House of Seattle, 747 N. 135th Street, Seattle 98133
Thursday, February 21
Speaker: Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes
Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: Central Building, 810 3rd Avenue
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| Conference on emergency planning for vulnerable populations | |
When disaster strikes, our most vulnerable residents face daunting challenges. A conference developed by King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, and the cities of Seattle and Bellevue will be held on March 20, 2013 to discuss the issues. The conference features national keynote speakers and breakout sessions following three tracts: social and human service agency preparedness, transportation and notification and warning. In attendance will be community-based organizations, human services agencies, emergency managers, transportation providers, businesses, tribes, faith-based organizations, and anyone interested in emergency planning and response for vulnerable populations. The conference will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Dr., Auburn WA 98001. Register online at this Web site. For more information contact Karimah Cooper, Seattle Human Services Department, at karimah.cooper@seattle.gov or 206-684-0210. |
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Life Lines is published monthly by the City of Seattle's Human Service Department. Our mission is to connect people with resources and solutions during times of need so we can all live, learn, work and take part in strong, healthy communities. For more timely or breaking news, visit our blog, Human Interests, or visit our Web site. If you have questions, please e-mail David Takami or call 206-684-0253. |  |
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