Human Interests

Register NOW for ‘Care Transitions’ conference

davidt — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:14:59 +0000

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 Rd S, 1st floor, Renton). Register online by May 22. See below.

Register online by Wednesday, May 22, or e-mail Aging and Disability Services planner Irene Stewart at irene.stewart@seattle.gov. For details see this news release.

African American fathers to be honored

davidt — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:51:30 +0000

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 30^th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98122. The event will pay special tribute to 50 elder African American fathers, in recognition of the vital roles they have played in their families’ lives, and in Seattle’s African American community. For more information, please see this news release.

HSD director resigns for job in Virginia

davidt — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:39:19 +0000

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 done to bring innovative ways to deliver services to Seattle’s most vulnerable people and her tireless efforts to involve the community,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “I wish her well in this exciting new opportunity.”

Here is the full text of the news release.

What you can do in an emergency

davidt — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:55:03 +0000

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.

May 16 Coffee Hour on health care reform

davidt — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:19:57 +0000

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 Administrator for the Seattle office of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mr. Hammarlund focuses on outreach and education about CMS programs to stakeholders and beneficiaries in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

HSD’s Lester selected for Casey fellowship

davidt — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:54:17 +0000

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 that benefit large numbers of children and families. Fellows will participate in a series of intensive leadership opportunities, including group seminars, individual coaching, and site visits to learn about innovative service delivery models. Congratulations to Catherine on this great honor and opportunity! For more information please see this news release.

A needed response…to potential sexual assault

davidt — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:06:55 +0000

Here’s a short but powerful video, “A Needed Response,” to potential sexual assault. Please share!

Read all about it…in Life Lines newsletter!

davidt — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:48:58 +0000

Read about local human services news and innovaitons in the May edition of HSD’s Life Lines newsletter.

May 10 forum on impact of health care reform

davidt — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:55:32 +0000

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, May 10, 2013, 10:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the SeaTac Community Center (13735 24th Ave S, SeaTac) to learn how health care reform under the Affordable Care Act will affect seniors, adults with disabilities, and low-income individuals in King County. For details, see this news release.

Need help paying for child care?

davidt — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:08:13 +0000

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 that the program has more than 300 slots available. The amount of payment from the City varies according to the income of the family, age of the child, and hours of care needed. The City typically pays between 25% to 70% of a standardized rate, and the family is responsible for paying the difference. To qualify you must:

Live within Seattle city limits
Be employed and or enrolled in educational/job training
Have children under 13 years of age
Use a provider contracted with the City of Seattle
Not be eligible for any other child care subsidy program
Meet income guidelines based on family size.

For income guidelines, please see our Web site. For information on how to apply please call 206-386-1050.