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Seattle Human Services news and events

Seattle Youth Employment Program Seeks Employer Partners for Summer 

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Looking for a way to support young people connecting to career opportunities? The Human Services Department’s Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has a goal to place 250 youth & young adults in internships this summer and needs your help connecting with potential partner employers in developing these opportunities. Partner employers do not have to be government entities and we’re seeking partnerships with employers in a variety of industries, including: technology, healthcare, transportation, and more. 

Our goal is to increase youth and young adults’ ability to pursue careers that pay well and are meaningful to them.  

SYEP Interns are placed in structured, paid work settings within businesses, nonprofits, and City departments to apply their knowledge, gain hands-on experience, develop professional connections, and build their resume.

Watch a short video on last year’s SYEP Summer Internship program

Interested in Hosting an SYEP Intern?   

  • SYEP supports young people (ages 16 to 24) from qualifying-income households and communities that experience racial, social, and economic disparities.  
  • The program runs from July 5 to August 15, 2023, and interns are placed at your organization through SYEP’s holistic placement process. 
  • Interns are provided 150 hours of paid employment/training and will be paid a minimum wage of $18.69 per hour by SYEP. 
  • Employers can subsidize wages which supports more youth to be employed in the program. 
  • The employer supervisor and intern will create a schedule that works for both the intern and the organization. 
  • Employer supervisors will coach and mentor your intern(s), track their work hours, and support interns in learning workplace skills. 
  • There will be an SYEP Youth Development Counselor to support each intern and their employer supervisor during the length of the program. 
  • Interns receive support services (i.e., transportation, work attire, food stipends, etc.) to help set them up for success!  
  • For more information review the SYEP Employer FAQ.

How to Apply:   

  1. Complete the SYEP Employer Interest Form.
  • Share the specifics of your proposed internship(s). This form will help us better gauge the interest and opportunities available, and better help facilitate the application process.   
  1. Complete the SYEP Employer Application by April 12, 2023. 
  • Once the Interest Form is completed, a member of our Employer Engagement team will review the form and reach out with any questions and/or provide a link to fill out the required Employer Application.   
  • Applications must be completed by April 12, 2023, to be considered for hosting interns this summer.   
  • If needed, we will be hosting informational sessions for interested employers to receive more information and/or application support. Please sign up here or view the attachment for more details.  

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact (206) 386-1375 or SYEPEMPRelations@seattle.gov. 

Celebrating Women’s History Month in Seattle: Michelle Merriweather, President & CEO at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

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Each year, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) invests hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to more than 200 community-based organizations (CBOs) and programs that support strong and healthy communities. In recognition of Women’s History Month, we are shining a spotlight on women-led organizations that receive funding from HSD and are breaking barriers in the community.

International Women's Day concept. Women's community. There are women of different races, different ages in the picture. Vector illustration. Empowering quote about equity from Michelle Meriweather.

In this post, we feature the incredible President & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS), Michelle Merriweather. She has been with ULMS since 2016 and has served in various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Interim President and CEO, before being appointed as the permanent CEO in 2019. Michelle is also a co-founder of The Equity Collaborative, a group of healthcare leaders focused on advancing health equity and promoting the development of culturally responsive care.

Photo of Michelle Meriweather [Credit: Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle]

Under Merriweather’s leadership, ULMS has expanded its reach and impact in Seattle’s underserved communities. She has helped to strengthen the organization’s focus on equity and inclusion and has worked to build strong partnerships with other community-based organizations, local businesses, and government agencies.

The ULMS was established in 1930 to become one of approximately 90 affiliates of the National Urban League (NUL). Today, ULMS implements its mission within the Seattle/King County service area through advocacy, direct programming, community outreach, and coalition building in six major pillars of focus: housing, education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, public health, and civic engagement. With a vision of equity for all, ULMS empowers those it serves by providing programming and services designed to support and encourage self-sufficiency in all aspects of life.

As the second-oldest civil rights organization in the state of Washington, ULMS is one of the region’s essential economic first responders, helping families cope with challenges through a variety of programs designed to support and encourage self-sufficiency in all aspects of life. ULMS also serves as a liaison between community members, local businesses, city and county government, and other service-based organizations that share our concern for the welfare of the Black community and other disadvantaged residents in the Greater Puget Sound area.

ULMS is a women-led organization that is breaking barriers in the community. The organization empowers African Americans, as well as other diverse underserved communities, to thrive by securing educational and economic opportunities. The ULMS also works to bridge the gap between its members and the community by fostering relationships and empowering individuals to create change in their own neighborhoods.

There are several ways in which individuals and organizations can share in the mission to empower those ULMS serves, including: becoming a volunteer, official ULMS member, email subscriber, ULMS Young Professional, or community partner.

To learn more about how to get involved with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, head to the ULMS website for more information: https://urbanleague.org/get-involved/

HSD Announces Multiple Funding Opportunities to Help Older Adults Address Their Nutritional Needs and Maintain Health

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**Updated 3/17/2023

At the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD), we are committed to improving the quality of life for older adults in our community. That’s why we’re excited to announce four funding opportunities for agencies that share our vision and are passionate about supporting older adults in maintaining their independence and aging in place, while focusing on nutritious meals and culturally relevant food options.

Chef in kitchen at South Park Senior Center preparing meals for delivery to older adults

HSD’s Aging and Disability Services (ADS) Division serves as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Seattle-King County and administers federal Older Americans Act (OAA) funds in partnership with local community organizations. The purpose of Older American’s Act-funded nutrition programs is to reduce hunger and food insecurity, encourage socialization of older individuals, promote health and well-being, and delay adverse health conditions.

These adverse health conditions can be exacerbated by the high cost of healthy food, access to healthy food, and social isolation—key factors in the social determinants of health (SDOH).

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, food purchased from a grocery store or supermarket was 13% higher in September 2022 than September 2021 and 8.5% higher at a restaurant, for the same time period. Food prices are predicted to increase between 3%-4% in 2023, which will make it harder for people with lower incomes to purchase healthy food.

Food banks are a critical resource in responding to food insecurity, however, they often lack culturally specific options for BIPOC communities. Food banks are becoming more responsive to the need to provide food that reflects the needs and preferences of the populations they are serving.

While food banks and meal programs offer nutritious foods for older people, accessing these resources is challenging. Transportation to food banks and meal programs is difficult as older people may not drive and the location of services may not be accessible by public transit. It is also challenging to carry food on public transit.

Access to nutritious food is one element of the SDOH that affects health and quality of life. Another key element is social and community context, the importance of relationships, interactions, and social support. In older adults, social isolation and loneliness are associated with dementia, premature death from all causes and higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. While health outcomes are impacted by feeling lonely, social interactions may improve the health and well-being in older adults.

To address this, HSD is proudly offering these four funding opportunities:

1) The 2023 Congregate Meals for Older Adults RFQ aims to fund agencies that provide a place where older adults receive a nutritionally balanced meal, socialize with their peers, receive information, and participate in activities to promote overall health and wellbeing. We have approximately $3,295,179 available through federal and local funds. We plan to fund proposals located throughout King County.

2) The Home-Delivered Meals Program RFQ focuses on providing nutritious meals to older adults who cannot leave their homes unassisted, cannot prepare meals for themselves, and lack a social support system to help them. Delivery of meals enables them to live independently. Meal drivers may be the sole social contact for meal recipients and may also report safety or unhealthy environmental concerns back to agencies who can then address issues. We have approximately $2,394,870 available through federal, state, and local funds. We plan to fund up to three proposals for Home-Delivered Meals. Applicants must provide meals throughout King County.

3) Multicultural Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Services RFP focuses on delivering technical assistance and support to congregate meal sites that serve older adults with unique cultural and linguistic needs. As nutrition experts, RDNs play a critical role by providing nutrition and food safety guidance to promote health, reduce risk, and manage diseases to improve and/or maintain health, independence, and quality of life. They can also help programs to develop menus and address language and cultural barriers. We have $160,000 available through federal and local funds, and we plan to fund one proposal that demonstrates the ability to work with diverse communities in Seattle and King County.

4) The 2023 Culturally Nourishing Foods for Older Adults RFP encourages agencies to invest in food and meals, food access, and social engagement for older adults. We have $630,430 available through local funds. Interested applicants are limited to one (1) proposal that addresses one or more of the following strategies:

  • Food and meals – culturally nourishing groceries or meals that cannot be funded through other sources
  • Food access – transportation to culturally nourishing food activities
  • Social engagement – activities that promote older people connecting to each other and that center on culturally nourishing food (e.g., nutrition education, cooking classes, farm field trips, cultural celebrations, etc.)

Please note if you are a collaborative agency: Only the applicant identified as the lead should apply. HSD reserves the right to combine funds awarded through this RFP into other HSD contracts.

Initial awards for each of these funding opportunities will be made for the period of January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. While it is the City’s intention to renew agreements resulting from this funding opportunity on an annual basis through the 2027 program year, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability.

These are open and competitive processes. If you’re an agency looking to make a positive impact on the lives of older adults in our community, we invite you to join us in our efforts. We will be hosting information sessions from March 7-10, with in person and virtual options.

For more information, specific session dates, and all RFQ/RFP materials, please visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities page: https://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding-and-reports/funding-opportunities. Completed application packets are due by 12:00 p.m. (Noon) PDT, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. If you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Angela Miyamoto, Funding Process Coordinator, at Angela.Miyamoto@seattle.gov.

Join the Fight for Food Equity in Seattle! HSD Calls for Applications to Improve Nutritious Food Access

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The COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn hit low-income families and families of color the hardest, leading to increased food and living costs. In November 2022, the US Consumer Price Index reported a 12% rise in prices for food prepared at home and a 10% increase in gas prices over the previous 12 months. This situation demands an urgent response, and that’s exactly what the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) is delivering.

Stacked crates of fresh, northwest strawberries
Photo Credit: Byrd Barr Place

We are excited to announce our latest effort to improve access to nutritious and culturally relevant food for low-income households in Seattle. We have issued a call for applications to strengthen Seattle’s food systems currently led by the Seattle Food Committee (SFC) and Meals Partnership Coalition (MPC), two organizations that are already working tirelessly to pool resources, share strategies, collect data, and generate collective actions to improve food security and access to nutritious food for low-income families in Seattle.

We are looking for applications in the following service areas:

  1. Nutritious food sourcing (formerly Bulk Buy);
  2. Transportation of procured food; and
  3. Network administrative support.

If you are interested, we encourage you to apply for one of these funding opportunities. If selected, you will have a chance to work closely with the networks, their Nutritious Food Sourcing (formerly Bulk Buy) subcommittees, and an estimated 28 food banks and 28 meal programs that receive services through these networks. Together, we can make a real impact in the lives of those who need it most.

This is an open and competitive process, with up to $1,768,928 in HSD General Fund dollars available through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The initial awards will be made for the contract period of January 1, to December 31, 2024, with a possibility of contract renewal for an additional three years. We strongly encourage all applicants to align with our values-based purchasing approach, which seeks to align public dollars with values such as equity, community health, local economy, environmental sustainability, and fair labor.

For more information, and all RFQ materials, please visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities web page: http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding-and-reports/funding-opportunities. Completed applications must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. PDT, on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. If you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Tan Mei Teo, Funding Process Coordinator, at tan-mei.teo@seattle.gov

HSD Employee Spotlight—Natalie Thomson

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Photo of Natalie with her husband and daughter
Jocelyn (Jocie), Scott, and Natalie Thomson

What is your role at Seattle Human Services?

As a Planning Manager in the Youth and Family Empowerment Division of Seattle Human Services, I’m responsible for the investment of millions of dollars in food banks, meals, child nutrition, farm to table-nutrition education, Fresh Bucks To Go, community connectors, and the innovation fund.  My priorities are deeply rooted in food justice. I envision a city where all people have equitable, self-determined access to fresh and nutritious food.

How has your job changed in recent years?

Though it seems like forever, I have been at HSD a total of 14 years in two separate stints. Fun fact: I have had 12 positions within HSD. This makes me laugh. I started out as a temporary Administrative Support Assistant, and have worked my way up in grants and contracts before moving over into planning.

The pandemic changed the way we interact with each other. We now do much more virtually. With that, we have the opportunity to be much more intentional in all our interactions, virtual and in-person.

What do you love about your job?

I love the people at HSD. As a community, we are passionate and believe in the vision that ALL communities thrive. I’ve made many friends here, and I believe them to be lifelong friendships. I love the work. My mother taught me that it is an honor and a deep responsibility to be a public steward. I treat that with reverence.

How do you contribute to HSD’s overarching goals related to racial equity?

Natalie poses with former HSD Director Jason Johnson and her 2019 HSD MAX Award for Racial Equity
Natalie received a 2019 MAX Award from her HSD colleagues honoring her racial equity work.

I believe that racial equity and undoing institutional racism start with love and trust. You must consciously and continuously build relationships based on love and trust with those you are organizing alongside. Then, you remember we are all human and that we will make mistakes when we do hard things. So, when I do inevitably make mistakes, I hope I own up, minimize harm, and move on. That’s how I believe we keep the humanity in Race and Social Justice.

What motivates you or keeps you going?

I see the new generation of leaders and I am so hopeful! They motivate me. Our community who shows up again and again motivates me. And there is much to do. That motivates me, too.

What’s one piece of advice for HSD newcomers or recent graduates in your field?

Build relationships. Invest time and energy into people. Learn about them. I try to mentor, train, and support individuals in the planning unit whenever I can. I encourage them to develop critical thinking and organizational skills, and offer my knowledge and experience where it might help move our work forward. This allows you to exercise that muscle that builds compassion and courage and take right action. This will motivate you to build skills, too.

Smiling group photo
At a recent employee baby shower for Pamela and Raj Maskara. Front (l-r): Raj Maskara, Angela Miyamoto, Pamela Maskara, Natalie Thomson. Back (l-r): Ann-Margaret Webb, Tan Mei Teo, Stephen Song

Call for Volunteers: Support Survivors of Violence

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Victim Support Team volunteers needed – Training will be provided

HSD’s Safe and Thriving Communities Division is recruiting community volunteers to offer support to survivors of violence in their unique time of need.

About becoming a Victim Support Team volunteer:

·        VST community volunteers represent diverse personal and professional backgrounds.

·        No experience in social work or counseling required.

·        Free onboarding, training, and mentorship will be provided.

·        The Victim Support Team provides short term advocacy, safety planning, and referrals to culturally specific resources.

·        VST volunteers provide an in-person response on the weekends and remote phone advocacy during the week. 

Benefits of volunteering with VST:

·        Make an important impact, providing compassionate and non-judgmental support.

·        Join a professional community of experts in the field of victim advocacy.

·        Gain skills and knowledge in survivor advocacy and build community connections and relationships.

Please visit VST Volunteer Opportunities – HumanServices | seattle.gov  for more information and to to apply online.

·        Applications are open now, deadline to submit is March 1st, 2023

·        Must be 21+ and pass an SPD background check

HSD Employee Spotlight—Karen Winston

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Karen Winston smiles for the camera

What is your role at Seattle Human Services?

As a senior planner in the Aging and Disability Services division of Seattle Human Services, I’m responsible for coordinating development of the Area Plan—our roadmap as the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County—as required by the federal Older Americans Act. We look at demographic trends, solicit public input, and outline major goals and objectives to be achieved over the course of four years. There are biennial updates and annual report cards.

I liaise with Muckleshoot and Snoqualmie Tribes regarding elder programs—specifically what we call “7.01 Implementation” plans outlining DSHS service programs supporting tribal elders.

In addition, I staff the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders and coordinate three large events each year—Memory Sunday in June, which disseminates information about Alzheimer’s and other dementias among faith communities serving people of African descent; Grandparents Day in September, in collaboration with the Northwest African American Museum; and Legacy of Love, the African American Caregivers Forum, in November, which focuses on caregiver support and memory care, drawing family caregivers from throughout the Pacific Northwest.

What made you want to work in human services?

A photo of Karen Winston from the 1990s

Community service has always been important to me. I began my career in city government in 1985, working as a Legislative Assistant to Sam Smith, the first African American to serve on the Seattle City Council. Although the position was fast paced and demanding, it also allowed me the opportunity to learn about City government overall, from human services to public utilities. It was a good introduction!

I joined HSD in 1992 because I wanted to make a difference for the older people who are at the heart of our community. In 1997, I co-founded the African American Elders Program, which is now sponsored by Catholic Community Services. We also advised Mayor Norman B. Rice in creating the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders. Both entities address the needs of frail and vulnerable older Black adults throughout King County. About 10 years ago, I produced a digital story about this work—Hope for the Heart of Our Community—that you can find at vimeo.com/36796869.

A lot of what I do today focuses on brain health, particularly among people of African descent, who are at greater risk for dementia diagnosis. I’m involved with the state Dementia Action Collaborative, partner with the UW Medicine’s Memory & Brain Wellness Center, and volunteer on the Frye Art Museum Creative Aging Advisory Committee. I helped to coordinate numerous conferences that build cultural competence in this arena.

In the past year, I co-facilitated the launch of SHARP Seattle at the Central Area Senior Center. SHARP stands for Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-Imagery. This culturally celebratory walking and reminiscing program aims to improve the cognitive, social, and physical health among older African Americans with ties to Seattle’s Central District.

What do you love about your job?

Karen smiles and waves at the camera during an employee appreciation event

I love results. As a planner, I love to see plans brought to fruition and see how lives are improved. I love seeing improvements in cultural competency. I love working at Aging and Disability Services because my colleagues are supportive and really care about older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, and strive to improve and stay connected to communities.

What motivates you or keeps you going?

I continue to be motivated by my determination to make a difference. Layer on the encouragement and respect I receive from my colleagues, and I know that it’s a pretty great place to work!

HSD Announces Funding Opportunity for Program Coordination and Food Procurement for the Seattle Farm to Preschool Program

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The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in program coordination and food procurement for the Seattle Farm to Preschool Program (formerly known as Seattle Farm to Table).

A young boy lifts a prepackaged bag of produce off a table full of bags
Seattle Preschool Program student picks up his family’s Good Food Bag. Photo provided by Tilth Alliance

This 2023 Seattle Farm to Preschool Program Coordination and Food Procurement RFQ will increase food access for low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) children and families who are part of the Seattle Preschool Program through two program components:

1) Select an agency to provide leadership and coordination to nutrition education providers, family food bag providers, and participating preschool programs to build relationships, increase communication, coordinate program logistics, support data collection, and strategically plan.

2) Select an agency to assist participating preschool programs in procuring local, culturally relevant food from regional farmers with a focus on BIPOC, immigrant and refugee, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ), and tribal-owned farms. The selected agency will also manage preschool program stipends to purchase local, culturally relevant food from regional farmers in approximately 50 preschool programs across the City of Seattle serving an estimated 1,500 children ages 3-5 years old.

In 2010, the Seattle Farm to Table partnership was formed to make local food more affordable to Seattle-based home-delivered meal programs, senior congregate programs, and childcare centers.

Over the last 12 years, the childcare portion, now called the Seattle Farm to Preschool Program, has expanded its holistic approach, encouraging children from early age to connect to food of their cultures and their local regions. This approach includes educational outreach in classrooms, food access to families through take home food bags, and relationship building between farmers and children. There has been a focused effort to increase food equity by prioritizing food purchases from BIPOC, immigrant and refugee, women, LGBTQ, and tribal-owned farmers.

In 2017, Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) was established by Seattle City Council Ordinance 125324 to improve the health of Seattle residents by reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This tax now almost fully funds Seattle Farm to Preschool. See the Sweetened Beverage Tax Guiding principles and the Farm to Table guiding principles. Approximately $282,656 in Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) funding is available through this RFQ.

Access to nutritious and culturally relevant food remains an increasing need, especially as Seattle becomes more diverse. Recent rising food costs due to price inflation have contributed to increased food disparities among Seattle residents. According to the October 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index report for Seattle, inflation increased more than 8% from 2021. Food prices jumped 10.3% from the previous year. According to Public Health—Seattle & King County data, Black and Hispanic households are twice as likely to experience food insecurity than White households. Southeast Seattle households have higher rates of food insecurity compared to other neighborhoods in Seattle.

This is an open and competitive process. For more information, and all RFP materials, please visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities web page: http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding-and-reports/funding-opportunities. Completed application packets are due by 12:00 p.m. PST, on Friday, March 10, 2023.

If you have any questions, or would like to receive a copy of the RFP in the mail or by email, please contact Pamela Maskara, Funding Process Coordinator, at pamela.maskara@seattle.gov, or Janelle Jackson, Funding Process Coordinator, at janelle.jackson@seattle.gov.

Fostering a Sense of Belonging For BIPOC Youth

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Imagine a space of belonging, transformation, liberation, and learning… At Geeking Out Kids of Color (GOKiC), we work to cultivate this space for BIPOC youth through technology education created by us, for us. Our mission at GOKiC is the liberation of BIPOC youth by creating decolonized tech education and providing mentorship to nurture leaders of change. Since our founding five years ago, we have expanded our reach to engage more than 400 youth across South Seattle and South King County through our afterschool and summer programs, and community-building opportunities.

With funding from the City of Seattle Human Services Department invested in Supporting Youth and Young Adults for Success, GOKiC launched Collective Youth’s new program model this past year, supporting high school and college students across the city. Seeing a lack of BIPOC representation in tech fields, a group of youth in our programs founded Collective Youth in 2020 as a space for BIPOC youth to collectively pursue internships and careers in tech through a social justice lens. Starting this year Collective Youth staff and interns, who are young adults themselves, are providing guidance, support, and a safe space to navigate the challenges of finding their voice and pathway to achieve their goals.

As one of the youth in the program shared about her experience, “Joining this program, gave me the big idea of computer science and the possibilities—you can do computer science in the medical field or in the law field or immigration…. I really liked it because they taught us how to code but they also give us some grace when we didn’t pay attention, and they also put themselves in our shoes, and they helped us a lot.”

We strive to not just build tech skills needed for the workforce but create community and foster a sense of belonging, healing, and connection for BIPOC youth who often feel on the margins. “I thought it was really, I guess, powerful because it taught us how to talk with not just grownups but to make relationships with them and ask them for help,” a youth participant shared.

GOKiC looks forward to deepening our partnerships with the City of Seattle, schools, other youth-serving organizations, families, and the young people in our programs to ensure we continue grounding our work in youth voice and leadership to reframe the narrative for Black and Brown youth to see themselves in tech.

*This post was written by our community partners at GOKiC. To learn more about this work, visit their website at https://www.gokic.org.

Do you have a story to share about how Seattle Human Services investment is impacting you or your community? We would like to start providing some space for our funded agencies and community partners to tell their own stories through our communications channels. Send us an email at HSD_info@seattle.gov.

Mayor Harrell and Seattle City Council Proclaim January Human Trafficking Awareness Month

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Mayor Harrell joined with the Seattle City Council last week to  declare the month of January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” reaffirming this Administration’s commitment to protect and empower survivors of all forms of human trafficking. The proclamation sets forward the City’s intent “to advocate for legislation and protection for survivors, to educate leaders, and to encourage public awareness and action against various forms of human trafficking.”

Screen image of the top of the formal proclamation document, showing the opening paragraph, which is partially quoted above.

“Human trafficking can affect anyone, regardless of race, religion, occupation, educational level, culture, or sexual orientation. However, Native Americans, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and those made vulnerable through socioeconomic barriers, homelessness, and disability are disproportionately affected by trafficking,” said Councilmember Lisa Herbold, Public Safety and Human Services Committee Chair. “And both adults and children can be trafficked.”

U.S. law defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against their will. It also includes the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, which is considered human trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud or coercion.

According to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), “when anything of value is exchanged for sex with a person under 18, it constitutes commercial sexual abuse of a minor. DCYF’s Commercially Sexually Exploited Children regional leads and Missing and Exploited Youth (MEY) program support Child Protective Services in investigations of trafficking in minors and the many youth in Child Welfare and Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities who are survivors of abuse and trafficking.”

To learn more about local efforts to disrupt human trafficking and ways to get involved, visit the Seattle Human Services Department’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) website. MODVSA works in coordination with the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking (WashACT) which is informed by survivors, activists, and representatives from our criminal justice response to help expand the conversation around human trafficking in the City of Seattle.

We encourage you to educate yourself and increase awareness of exploitation and trafficking in your communities and improve systems that provide services for those at risk. Here are a few resources to help you get started:

To report concerns that human trafficking might be taking place, please call 
the Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network Victim Assistance Line at 206.245.0782 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888.3737.888.