How can we decrease avoidable hospital admissions that significantly add to the cost of health care? That is the topic of an upcoming half-day conference, “Care Transitions: Whose Job Is It Anyway?” on Thursday, May 30, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Valley Medical Center’s Medical Arts Center Auditorium (4033 Talbot  [More]

The Mayor’s Council on African American Elders (MCAAE) will host A Toast to Fatherhood, in honor of African American fathers, on Sunday, June 9, 2013. The event will be held at “The Central” (formerly the Central Area Senior Center) located at 500 30th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98122. The event will pay  [More]

Dannette R. Smith, Director of the Seattle Human Services Department for the past three years, is resigning to take a position as Human Services Director for the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her last day with the city will be Friday, June 14, 2013. “I’m very proud of the work Dannette has  [More]

The Seattle Office of Emergency Management has created a “But what can I do?” handout summarizing options that people or organizations can do in various time increments to prepare for disasters. The sections are: 5 Minutes or Less, 1 Hour or Less, 4 Hours or Less and Ongoing.  [More]

Please join us at the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens’ Senior Coffee Hour, this month featuring Medicare regional administrator John T. Hammarlund who will speak about health care reform in Washington state. DATE:  Thursday, May 16, 2013 TIME:  10:00-11:00 a.m. LOCATION:  The Armory (formerly Seattle Center House), balcony level, Room H. As the Regional  [More]

Seattle Human Services Deputy Director Catherine Lester is among 16 leaders from across the country selected to be Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2013-2014 Children and Family Fellows. The fellowship was created to increase the pool of leaders with the vision, drive and ability to create and sustain major system reforms and community initiatives  [More]

Here's a short but powerful video, "A Needed Response," to potential sexual assault. Please share!  [More]

Read about local human services news and innovaitons in the May edition of HSD's Life Lines newsletter.  [More]

Washington state is planning to test a new system that integrates mental health, medical, substance abuse, and long-term care services for residents who receive Medicare and Medicaid. King County is considering how it will participate in this financial alignment demonstration project. Come to a special forum on health care reform on Friday,  [More]

Are you a working parent who needs help paying for child care? The City of Seattle may be able to help. The Seattle Human Services Department’s Child Care Assistance Program helps low- and moderate-income working families pay for child care for children ages one month to 13 years. Mayor Mike McGinn recently announced  [More]