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Seattle Human Services news and events

Why Do We Recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month?

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The Human Services Department (HSD) and the Office of Labor Standards (OLS) recently recognized the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; a time to remember victims and survivors of abuse and exploitation; to raise awareness about violence and its effect on families and communities; and to acknowledge and highlight those working to end gender-based violence. 

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) defines domestic violence as “the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, economic, and emotional/psychological abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically.”

According to a report from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, The national intimate partner and sexual violence survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 state report,  1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime, suffering impacts such as being concerned for their safety, PTSD symptoms, injury, or needing victim services:

  • Approximately 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 20 male victims need medical care.
  • Female victims sustain injuries 3x more often than male victims.
  • 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 9 male victims need legal services.
  • 23.2% of women and 13.9% of men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime

We also have to move beyond thinking of domestic violence only as incidents of physical abuse. It is a pattern of behavior designed to terrorize and control; and we see an increasing use of technology to commit psychological abuse. Tech-Enabled Coercive Control (TECC) extends the pattern of using threats of harm, dependence, isolation, intimidation, and/or physical forms of violence to include the ways technology facilitates coercive control. Forms of TECC include cyberstalking, monitoring, impersonation, harassment, and distribution of intimate images.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The Seattle Great Wheel and the Columbia Center office building downtown are going purple to recognize #PurpleThursday.

The issue of domestic violence is widespread and thrives when we are silent. With so many of us working or supporting community from home this year, OLS and HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault are asking you to join us in honoring the victims and survivors of domestic violence by wearing purple next Thursday, October 22, in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. Post a photo, hold a sign, or share a personal story if you are comfortable, and use the social media hashtag #PugetSoundPurpleThursday.

Thanking Our Partners for Their Commitment to Ending Gender-Based Violence

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“Maria” and her young daughter escaped a physically and emotionally abusive relationship. She received assistance from a DV Housing Program while suffering from broken ribs and other injuries caused by her abuser. The individual apartment provided to Maria and her daughter allowed her the time and space to heal from her physical injuries. She was connected to an Advocate who provided emotional and practical support. Once Maria healed enough to focus on next steps, the Advocate supported her in obtaining legal assistance with issues resulting from the abuse, and addressed challenges which impacted her options for more stable housing. Maria received advocacy to help facilitate payment of past housing debt and resolved past legal issues that were barriers to her being housed. She and her daughter participated fully in many of the programs and activities offered by the DV Program, and her family connected with other families who had also experienced similar trauma.

Maria and her daughter recently moved into their own apartment, located in an area of town close by social services and programming that she is working with. As Maria moved out from the Housing Program, she expressed her gratitude and said that she was “grateful for the non-judgmental acceptance and support,” and vowed to “help other survivors in the future in whatever path she takes.” Maria continues to receive support from the DV Housing Program in the form of mobile advocacy, client assistance, and rental assistance. With support from the agency, Maria and her daughter are able to find peace, happiness, and new life free from violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a time to remember victims/survivors of abuse and exploitation, to raise awareness of violence and its effects on families and communities, and a time to acknowledge and highlight those working to end gender-based violence. This year has been an especially challenging one. While agencies and programs quickly pivoted in response to COVID-19, we have witnessed a rise in reported incidents of gender-based violence and related fatalities both locally and nationally due to social distancing, economic deprivation and related conditions. Those most impacted prior to COVID and during COVID are overwhelmingly marginalized populations: communities of color, GBLTIQ, immigrants and refugees, and those living with disabilities.

Maria and her daughter are one of more than 6,000 individuals/families assisted thus far in 2020 by the Seattle-funded network of providers. Our providers work in collaboration to provide wrap around services, including advocacy, counseling, therapeutic services, housing/shelter, legal assistance and representation, and systems improvement. With the “no wrong door” approach, our funded network mirrors the diversity in client population of Seattle-King County in providers and service options. Victim service agencies also participate on committees alongside system partners to assess, identify, plan and address systems needs and gaps, and to ensure that Seattle’s response is seamless. Such committees include: Access to Advocacy, Immigrant and Refugee Network, Peace in the Home, Day One, Coordinated Effort Against Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), Criminal Justice Committee, Domestic Violence Prevention Council (DVPC), and Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP).

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following agencies for their partnership and commitment to ending gender-based violence:

  • Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services
  • ACT & T
  • API Chaya
  • Asian Counseling and Referral Service
  • Atlantic Street Center
  • Aurora Commons
  • Casa Latina
  • Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence
  • Consejo Counseling and Referral Service
  • Domestic Abuse Women’s Network
  • Eastside Legal Assistance Program
  • Filipino Community of Seattle
  • Gender Justice League
  • Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress
  • InterIm CDA
  • Jewish Family Service
  • King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
  • King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
  • La Esperanza
  • LifeWire
  • Mother Nation
  • Multi-communities
  • New Beginnings
  • Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
  • Northwest Justice Project
  • Northwest Network
  • Organization for Prostitution Survivors
  • Powerful Voices
  • Real Escape from the Sex Trade
  • Refugee Women’s Alliance
  • The Salvation Army
  • Seattle City Attorney’s Office
  • Seattle Indian Health Board
  • Seattle Municipal Court
  • Seattle Police Department
  • Solid Ground
  • Somali Task Force
  • WA Anti-Trafficking Response Network (WARN)
  • YouthCare
  • YWCA King, Pierce, Snohomish

Please click on the image of Seattle Human Services Department Director, Jason Johnson, for a video message thanking our partners for their commitment to ending gender-based violence and calling on everyone to help us raise awareness during the month of October. Thanks again for your work, support, and partnership!

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our partners at the Columbia Center and The Seattle Great Wheel will be changing their lights to “wear purple.”

The issue of domestic violence is widespread and thrives when we are silent. With so many of us working or supporting community from home this year, HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Seattle Office of Labor Standards are inviting everyone to wear purple on Thursday, October 22, in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. Post a photo, hold a sign, or share a personal story if you are comfortable, and use the social media hashtag #PugetSoundPurpleThursday.

City of Seattle Recognizes October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” to Raise Awareness and Support for Victims and Survivors of Abuse

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Seattle – (October 1, 2020) – The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) and the Human Services Department (HSD) mark the month of October as a time to remember victims and survivors of abuse and exploitation; to raise awareness about violence and its effect on families and communities; and acknowledge and highlight those working to end gender-based violence. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in domestic violence reports, as we have had to separate from our families and friends to stop the spread of this deadly pandemic. While physical distancing can keep communities safe from the virus, it has also kept domestic violence survivors shut in with their offenders. We can still be a lifeline during this unprecedented time, remember to check in on your neighbors who may be suffering abuse in silence. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we help those who may be suffering by raising our voices and awareness.

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan

In addition to sick leave, Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance provides workers with paid leave for absences that result from critical safety issues arising from domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. New PSST COVID-19 amendments also require employers with employees in Seattle to provide paid leave when their family member’s school or place of care has been closed.

We all have a responsibility to take steps to end gender-based violence. Our workplaces play an important role in a survivor’s physical safety and financial security when they ensure access to paid safe leave for absences related to domestic violence and sexual assault. This month, we take this moment to increase awareness about resources and legal protections, like Paid Sick and Safe Time, that enable survivors to seek the assistance they need.

OLS Interim Director Jeneé Jahn

In Washington State, 41 percent of women and 32 percent of men report experiencing violence from an intimate partner. The City of Seattle invests more than $10 million annually in community-based programing focused on gender-based violence outreach and education, prevention and advocacy, therapeutic services and counseling, shelter and housing, and offender accountability programming. Through these investments, HSD and partners support more than 10,000 survivors each year.

While domestic violence does not discriminate, language barriers, lack of culturally relevant services, threats of deportation, and fear of isolation put marginalized communities at an increased risk of experiencing gender-based violence. Women of color and Native women are two-to-three times more likely to experience a gender-based, violence-related fatality than their white counterparts.  

Domestic violence impacts individuals from all genders, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Seattle Human Services is proud to partner with more than 30 diverse service providers to increase access for all survivors with the “no wrong door” approach to advocacy.

Lan Pham, HSD Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Manger

Join the City of Seattle in honoring the victims and survivors of domestic violence by wearing purple every Thursday during October. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Seattle City Hall lights and the Columbia Center office building downtown will go purple to recognize #PurpleThursday.

The issue of domestic violence is widespread and thrives when we are silent. With so many of us working or supporting community from home this year, OLS and HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault are inviting everyone to wear purple on Thursday, October 22, in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence. Post a photo, hold a sign, or share a personal story if you are comfortable, and use the social media hashtag #PugetSoundPurpleThursday.

For more ideas and action steps that you can take to end domestic violence, visit: https://endgv.org/ or https://wscadv.org/dvam/.

Please visit the OLS website for more information on the PSST Ordinance or call 206-256-5297. And, visit the Seattle Human Services Department for more on supportive victim services.

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City of Seattle’s Mobile Integrated Health Partnership Wins National Award

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Health One, High Utilizer Program, Vulnerable Adult Program round out successful models of Seattle Fire and Human Services partnership

On September 22, Aging and Disability Services, a division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), received a 2020 n4a Aging Innovation Award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) for their involvement in the City of Seattle’s Mobile Integrated Health partnership. The award was presented on the second day of the n4a’s four-day virtual national 2020 conference.

Aging and Disability Services (ADS) is the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County—one of 600+ “AAAs” in the country authorized by the federal Older Americans Act and recognized by the federal Administration on Community Living and state DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration.

For four years, HSD has partnered with the Seattle Fire Department through programs focused on high utilizers and vulnerable adults. In 2019, Health One—a dedicated, dispatched response model that links individuals with appropriate healthcare, behavioral health, and social service providers—was born, rounding out the city’s Mobile Integrated Health partnership.

“As one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, our ability to respond to non-emergency 911 calls has been tested,” said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. “Our Mobile Integrated Health partnership, including Health One and the High Utilizer and Vulnerable Adult programs, has resulted in significant reductions in 911 calls as well as unnecessary trips to emergency rooms. With these resources our community can receive the care and service they need while ensuring our first responders are available for true emergencies.”

In 2019, about 44 percent of nearly 73,000 medical calls received by Seattle’s 911 dispatch center were non-life-threatening, including behavioral health and addiction issues and calls from people with chronic conditions. Less than eight percent of those calls required paramedic transport. To address non-emergency requests, the City pioneered Health One, a program that includes a dedicated vehicle staffed with two firefighters (who are also emergency medical technicians) and an HSD social worker with experience serving people with diverse needs, including chronic conditions experienced by older people and individuals with disabilities.

“HSD social workers follow up with 911 callers whose complaints do not present immediate danger, and they help identify adults at risk for abuse and self-neglect,” said ADS division director Cathy Knight. “Our staff has provided training and resources for high-utilizing locations like shelters and assisted living facilities. Through Health One, our social workers are involved in triage, assessment, referrals, transport, and warm handoffs to other providers. They provide on-scene resources that address the root causes of distress.”

The MIH also collaborates with law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Public Health—Seattle & King County, and area hospitals to improve identification of at-risk adults, connect them with resources needed for stability, increase care coordination, provide feedback to reporting agencies, and improve health outcomes.

In March 2020, the Mobile Integrated Healthcare partnership adapted protocols to respond to the COVID pandemic. Initially, firefighters continued to go out on the Health One rig and ADS case managers helped remotely, either at SFD headquarters or from telecommuting sites. Once adequate safety protocols were established, ADS case managers returned to riding the rig with the firefighters.

Initially, Health One focused on serving people in the downtown core, Pioneer Square, Belltown, and Capitol Hill. As part of COVID response, service was expanded to SODO, Mount Baker, Rainier Valley, the University District, Ballard, and West Seattle. Citywide, any Seattle Fire unit can refer a client experiencing secondary impacts of the virus or quarantine.

Seattle’s Mobile Integrated Health partnership has been an innovative and critical lifeline for those in need, with the demands of quarantine, isolation, and social distancing further impacting already vulnerable people. Disconnection from healthcare, social services, and behavioral networks have increasingly taken a toll on our community. Our social workers are highly skilled in connecting vulnerable individuals with services and supports they need for stability. Kudos to HSD and Seattle Fire staff for their incredible work.

Jason Johnson, Seattle Human Services Director

“Our Mobile Integrated Health partnership had already increased efficiency and effectiveness of our emergency response system when COVID hit,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, who helps lead the City’s COVID response efforts. “Meeting the medical and social needs of low acuity and socially vulnerable patients—housed or not, in shelters, apartments, supported housing, camps and RVs—means that more people are able to complete the recommended period of quarantine or isolation, and will be better served in the future.”

Screen capture from the virtual awards ceremony

For more information about Seattle’s Mobile Integrated Health program, visit www.seattle.gov/mobileintegratedhealth; about Aging and Disability Services, visit www.agingkingcounty.org; and about n4a’s 2020 Innovation and Achievement Awards, visit www.n4a.org/Files/2020%20AIA%20FINAL.pdf.

New Healthy Air Center to Open for People Experiencing Homelessness

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**Update: September 14: Our emergency smoke relief shelter created last Friday to bring people experiencing homelessness inside will remain open until Wednesday morning as continuing wildfire smoke continues to choke the Puget Sound region.

The City of Seattle and King County are opening a temporary shelter to provide respite from unhealthy air conditions. King County is providing the building (1045 6th Ave South in SoDo) and the City’s Human Services Department (HSD) will support services via a partnership with Salvation Army. The shelter will serve people experiencing homelessness and living unsheltered. Salvation Army and King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) will staff the shelter.

The doors will open today at 3:00 pm on Friday, September 11, and are scheduled to remain open until 8:00 am on Monday, September 14th. The days and time of operation may change based on environmental conditions.

Click here or on the image above to view larger or download the PDF. Also available in Amharic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

In previous years, the region’s smoke and unhealthy air quality response has relied on people minimizing time outdoors and informing people of available facilities that have air filtration. Public Health – Seattle & King County has advised that agencies should open facilities only if they possess high-quality air filtration systems and if they can comply with public health guidance as it relates to temperature, screening, social distancing, capacity restrictions, face coverings, and other health and hygiene measures. The SoDo facility is in compliance with these dual smoke and COVID-19 public health requirements and available to be set up and staffed quickly.

Other City facilities either do not have the proper air filtration systems or are not available due to other uses such as childcare programming.

The City of Seattle currently operates two other shelters that possess the air filtration system necessary to comply with smoke and COVID-19 public health protocols. Those shelters are Fisher Pavilion, which has capacity for 80 people, and Exhibition Hall, which has capacity for 130 people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this facility and who owns it?

This site was set-up by King County as an Assessment and Recovery Center (AC/RC) for emergency COVID response, particularly to respond to a surge in COVID infection and the need for emergency space for groups of people in need. Nursing stations are located throughout, as well as no-touch hand washing stations.

The City of Seattle is providing services to the site through the Salvation Army, which is a contracted service provider of HSD.

Why open this site now?

As a region, we have been successful in keeping our rates of infection sufficiently low so as not to need this site, yet, for its intended purpose: an assessment and recovery center for people sick with COVID-19. It has not opened and we have saved the cost of staffing the site 24/7 because it has not been needed up to now. We have seen in other countries like Italy and other states like New York how quickly hospitals can be overwhelmed in a surge of cases, and we have been resolved to maintain enough emergency COVID capacity to avoid swamping our local hospitals if possible.

Varying levels of smoke have been present in the air over the past week, and a forecast for additional smoke starting on Friday afternoon presents an elevated hazard for unsheltered persons. Cumulative recent smoke exposure and new elevated level of smoke led to Public Health advising opening a smoke shelter for use by unsheltered persons from Friday afternoon through Monday morning.

What is the purpose of the site?

To provide an environment offering reduced smoke exposure while also implementing AC/RC lessons learned to reduce likelihood of COVID-19 transmission. Masks and PPE will be provided to reduce risk of harm from COVID transmission while staff and guests are onsite. We will help guests meet basic needs while onsite, but recognize that the facility is not an intense services site because it will only be in operation while the risk of smoke is elevated (48 to 60 hours). If few people utilize the facility, we will reduce staffing proportionately. Use of this site is voluntary. Target audience for smoke shelter use is unsheltered persons, particularly unsheltered persons at elevated risk due to prolonged smoke exposure.

How will people get there?

HSD, DCHS and Public Health will work with their partners and the homeless shelter service system to get the word out about the availability of indoor space and respite from the smoke. King County Metro will assist with transportation from outlying areas as needed.

Is there a staffing plan and security on site?

King County will arrange onsite security 24/7. The Salvation Army and county staff will also be on site throughout the duration of the emergency use. Under a contract with the City of Seattle, Salvation Army will provide two operators onsite 24/7. Public Health Reserve Corps will provide operational staff and a nurse onsite from 8 AM to 6 PM each day of operation. Facilities will provide onsite security and facility support services. DCHS will provide a site director, onsite support, and material support as needed, including water and nutrition and other supplies. Metro will assist with transportation to the smoke shelter from outlying County locations as needed. King County Office of Emergency Management is standing by to assist with any larger scale material support as needed.

How long will this smoke shelter operate?

King County and the City are exercising an emergency deployment of this resource in light of the emergency situation Seattle is experiencing due to dangerous air quality conditions. That emergency action is for a period of approximately three days. Should we decide to change the intended use of the building from emergency COVID response to a different use for a longer-term period, we would do so in discussion with the local area businesses and residents in advance of taking action.

Residents should regularly check Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for updates on air quality.

Mayor Durkan Announces up to $11.6 Million in Funding for Homeless Service Providers to Help Cover COVID-19 Costs in 2020

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Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) today announced up to $11.6 million in funding for shelter, day-centers, and permanent supportive housing to help pay for costs incurred during the initial phases of the COVID-19 response and to maintain higher-level services throughout the pandemic.

To date, these efforts have resulted in new enhanced shelter capacity, the opening of temporary spaces to de-intensify large congregate shelters, the ongoing operation of day-centers, and support to emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing to meet public health requirements. These program modifications have minimized shelter space loss during the pandemic and have helped homeless service programs to operate safely and without the large-scale spread of COVID-19 like many outbreaks seen in other cities. Throughout the City of Seattle homelessness response network, the City’s efforts have resulted in a positivity rate that is consistent with the rate of positive tests across the general population.

COVID-19 has laid bare the systemic inequities of our systems, forcing us to redefine how we care for our most vulnerable, especially individuals experiencing homelessness who are at some of the highest risks for COVID-19. In the initial days of the pandemic, the City took action to create new shelter, convert overnight shelters to 24/7, increase access to hygiene services, and provide meals and other supports necessary to survive in the COVID-19 environment. Our city owes our homeless service providers a great debt. With our support they have been on the pandemic’s front lines, further protecting our most marginalized communities.

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan

Funding to the agencies below will cover additional costs incurred as a result of modifications in physical space, operations and support services designed to ensure the safety of individuals accessing these services. The awards support over 1,500 City supported shelter beds, day-centers, and permanent supportive housing sites across multiple programs. Agencies that were awarded funding are:

  • Bailey Boushay House
  • Catholic Community Services
  • Catholic Housing Services
  • Chief Seattle Club, Compass Housing
  • DESC
  • Lake City Partners
  • LIHI
  • New Horizons
  • Plymouth Housing
  • Salvation Army
  • SHARE/WHEEL
  • Seattle Indian Center
  • Transitional Resources
  • Urban League
  • YouthCare
  • YWCA

We cannot thank our community-based service providers enough for going above and beyond to keep clients safe since COVID-19 hit last winter. This has been truly heroic work through challenging and uncertain times. This funding announcement will help cover the costs they’ve incurred and align their programs for a future with COVID-19 considerations. We also need to thank HSD staff, our partners at King County, Public Health, and Mayor Durkan for working overtime to make this announcement a reality.   

Jason Johnson, HSD Director

The public health risks associated with COVID-19 will influence the response to homelessness beyond 2020, requiring the homeless services system to continue program adjustments that safely serve people experiencing homelessness. HSD and partners are developing strategies to maintain and expand these improvements—many of which have already been implemented and are supported through this funding—in the shelter and permanent supportive housing systems in 2020, 2021, and the years ahead.  

The funding sources for these awards are from one-time State and Federal emergency grants, including the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Coronavirus Relief Fund, and anticipated FEMA reimbursement. As with any fiscal award, the final contract amounts awarded to agencies may change during the contracting and reimbursement process. 

Seattle Human Services Releases 2019 Annual Report

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With this Labor Day weekend, we say goodbye to yet another summer – although this is one we will not soon forget. As masking up and maintaining social distancing have become normal enough for celebrities to sport fashionable designs and award shows to find unique ways to present drive-in concerts and socially-distanced backup dancers, our staff at the Seattle Human Services Department are trying to get caught back up on the non-emergency tasks that would normally face us each year.

As we begin the return to some non-emergency tasks we regularly address as a department, one “routine” item to check off on our task list is complete just a couple months later than last time. I am pleased to share our just-released HSD 2019 Annual Report with you, highlighting some of the incredible work we accomplished together—and with our City and community partners:

Click above to view the report

Preparing Youth for Success: The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) launched a new school-year program, providing increased access for youth to grow as community leaders and prepare for future work and career opportunities. By engaging in an academic year curriculum to build job-readiness skills as part of a cohort of youth, interns are better prepared to participate in the summer internship program at its conclusion.

Supporting Affordability and Livability: HSD partnered with the Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment and Department of Education and Early Learning to support the Fresh Bucks To Go food bag pilot, an offshoot of the City of Seattle’s Fresh Bucks program, which delivers healthy, local produce and online convenience directly to families through the Seattle Public Preschool Program and before- and after-school programs serving low-income children and families in Seattle.

Addressing Homelessness: Our ongoing strategic investments in homelessness helped shelter and house more people in 2019 than any other year previous.

Promoting Public Health: The Seattle Fire Department expanded its Mobile Integrated Health program by partnering with HSD to provide case management services on more calls, including a new ride-along program called Health One.

Responding to Gender-Based Violence: HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) increased education and awareness through a series of events, including: a #DenimDay educational panel to amplify voices of indigenous women as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April); hosting speakers and a discussion on the importance of addressing racism and bringing communities together to protect African American women and girls (September); and expanding recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October) by recruiting City staff and the Columbia Center to participate in #PurpleThursday.

Promoting Healthy Aging: Every four years, Area Agencies on Aging around the country develop an Area Plan, which charts the course we will follow as we seek to create an age-friendly community. The plan describes the function of Aging and Disability Services as the local Area Agency on Aging, presents relevant demographic trends, and outlines the major goals and objectives to be achieved over the course of four years. The final draft Area Plan 2020–2023 for Seattle and King County, Washington, was submitted October 4, 2019, as a result of countless engagements with staff, partners, and the community, including reviews of both local and national research in conjunction with DPE to best address the needs of Seattle’s older adults.

Turn the pages of this report to learn more and view all the highlights from across our six investment impact areas. While not all-inclusive of the hard work of HSD staff over 12 months, it demonstrates the breadth of our work as we collaborate and perform services each day that deserve recognition.

A big thank you to all our staff and our community partners for your work that makes our community stronger and Seattle a better place to live!

HSD Releases Data Reports on Homelessness Services

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The Human Services Department (HSD) has recently released data reports on the City’s Homelessness Response Blog showing the performance of programs that receive City funding and the work of the Navigation Team’s outreach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Q2 (April – June). 

This week, HSD released the fourth quarter (Q4) performance data for programs that receive City funding to serve people experiencing homelessness. Mid-year data for 2019 was last published in September 2019. The finalization and release of Q4 data was significantly delayed due to the onset of COVID-19, which required HSD staffing resources to be diverted to pandemic response. 

The Q4 data affirms that the 2017 Homelessness Investments RFP, which realigned HSD’s homelessness response portfolio to focus more on throughput and permanent housing outcomes, continues to achieve these outcomes, with more unsheltered people served and moved into housing. After reviewing three full years of data performance, HSD believes the metrics have stabilized and remains steady with programs such as tiny house villages and enhanced shelters continuing to show success in moving people into housing.  

The full report and more details can be found in this blog post.

The Navigation Team also recently submitted its latest report to City Council providing a snapshot of the team’s significant outreach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Q2 (April – June). 

In response to COVID-19, the Navigation Team has focused its efforts to outreach and litter/debris removal. This refocusing in Q2 resulted in 373 site visits for outreach, 624 litter and debris mitigation operations, and 408 referrals to shelter citywide.

Since the beginning of the outbreak in March through Q2, the team has had over 4,700 conversations about COVID-19 with people experiencing homelessness, provided over 2,500 hygiene kits, distributed over 2,300 COVID-19 and hepatitis A related public health flyers, handed out over 1,100 boxed meals, and supplied 400 masks to individuals living unsheltered.

Engagements by the team’s System Navigators (which are the team’s outreach workers) in Q2 led to increases in the number of engagements, referrals to shelter, and actual enrollments into shelter. 

The team’s Field Coordinators, front line workers who assess the needs of hundreds of encampment sites citywide, completed 1,061 site inspections in Q2, a 92% quarter over quarter increase. These site inspections provide “eyes on the ground” and are essential for the Navigation Team to effectively allocate outreach and encampment mitigation resources. 

A link to the full report, details on the increased success of outreach efforts, and the launch of NavApp 2.0 can be found in this blog post.

‘Prepárate. Hidrátate. / Be Ready. Be Hydrated.’ – Se lanza en Seattle Campaña bilingüe de concientización pública creado por y para la comunidad

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Preparate. Hidratate.

El Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Seattle (HSD por sus siglas en inglés) se complace en anunciar una campaña de concientización pública nueva: “Be Ready. Be Hydrated. / Prepárate. Hidrátate.” La campaña promueve opciones saludables para contrarrestar las tácticas de mercadeo dirigidas a los/las jóvenes de color por parte de las bebidas azucaradas y está financiada por el Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax. (Impuesto sobre las bebidas azucaradas de Seattle, SBT por sus siglas en inglés).

Contexto

SBT fue diseñado con la intención de mejorar la salud de los residentes de Seattle al reducir las ventas y el consumo de bebidas azucaradas. SBT también captura fondos para programas que aumentan el acceso a alimentos saludables y apoyan la salud y el aprendizaje de los niños. La Junta asesora comunitaria de SBT (SBT’s Community Advisory Board) aprobó estrategias de concientización sobre los impactos que tienen las bebidas azucaradas en la salud de los jóvenes de las comunidades negra, latina y  de bajos ingresos que son el foco desproporcionado de la comercialización de bebidas azucaradas por parte de las corporaciones.

Mediante un proceso de financiación competitiva , HSD seleccionó a The Vida Agency, una empresa de mujeres y minorías con raíces profundas en la comunidad, para que diseñara e implementara una campaña de contramarketing y concientización pública dirigida por la comunidad.

Desarrollando la campaña con la comunidad

Se convocó a una coalición de colaboradores comunitarios radicados en Seattle, que incluye Hip Hop is Green, Black Stax, The Service Board y Latino Community Fund y 40 jóvenes más que están conectados con las organizaciones que se dedican a su comunidad y su salud, para comprender las percepciones y actitudes en torno a las bebidas azucaradas y las tácticas de mercadeo.

Logos of community organizations

“Invertir el dinero generado por el impuesto SBT en la comunidad que ha financiado ese mismo impuesto fue el pilar de nuestro enfoque”, explica Amalia Martino, fundadora y presidenta de The Vida Agency. “Desde las Coaliciones hasta los medios locales y los jóvenes increíblemente brillantes que nos brindaron su tiempo en medio de una pandemia y aprendizaje en línea, ha sido un placer realizar esta campaña en la ciudad en la que crecí”.

Estos jóvenes, junto con otro pequeño grupo de jóvenes conocidos como Líderes de Cambio Creativo, fueron fundamentales en el desarrollo del mensaje, la marca y el plan de la campaña. Una encuesta adicional logró obtener más de 500 respuestas, que representan principalmente a jóvenes negros, latinos y de bajos ingresos.

“¡Trabajar con estos jóvenes y organizaciones comunitarias fue una maravilla! Llegamos a conocer las inquietudes de las comunidades cuyas voces rara vez se escuchan. Observar el valor que cada persona aportaba a las conversaciones fue vital para dirigir el sentido que elegimos tomar con esta campaña. Creemos que, para poder ser de utilidad, primero se debe comprender lo que las personas a las que uno planea ayudar necesitan y lo que estas personas consideran es ayuda cuando solicitan estos recursos. Qué gran experiencia”, dijo Jace ECAj, un artista docente de Black Stax.

“Este ha sido un proceso creativo, fantástico e innovador para involucrar a la comunidad y promover mejores resultados de salud para los jóvenes”, dijo Jason Johnson, Director de Servicios Humanos de Seattle. “Este esfuerzo puede servir como modelo en el futuro de cómo la Ciudad puede apoyar las ideas lideradas por la comunidad. Quiero agradecer a Vida Agency, Hip Hop is Green, Black Stax, The Service Board, Latino Community Fund y a todos los involucrados en el Departamento de Servicios Humanos y en Seattle que hicieron de este esfuerzo una realidad.

  • Social media campaign

Lanzamiento 

La campaña se lanzó en julio y se presentará en estaciones de radio y noticias locales, publicaciones en blogs y redes sociales. Gracias a una colaboración con Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Schools y Seattle Public Utilities, el mensaje de la campaña llegará a más jóvenes, incluirá murales y se obsequiarán botellas de agua reutilizables.

Los miembros de la comunidad pueden obtener más información  en bereadybehydrated.com y preparatehidratate.com o seguir la campaña en varios canales de redes sociales. 

Be Ready. Be Hydrated. / Prepárate. Hidrátate. – Bilingual Public Awareness Campaign Created By and For Community Launches in Seattle

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The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce a new public awareness campaign: “Be Ready. Be Hydrated. / Prepárate. Hidrátate.” The campaign promotes healthy choices to counter sugary beverage marketing tactics aimed at youth of color and is funded by the Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT).

Background

SBT was designed to result in improved health for Seattle residents by reducing the sales and consumption of sugary drinks. SBT also raises revenue for programs that increase access to healthy food and supports children’s health and learning. SBT’s Community Advisory Board endorsed strategies to raise awareness about the health impacts of sugar-sweetened beverages among young Black, Latinx, and low-income communities, who are the disproportionate focus of sugar-sweetened beverage marketing.

Through a competitive funding process, HSD selected The Vida Agency, a Women and Minority Business Enterprise with deep roots in the community, to design and implement a community-led public awareness and counter-marketing campaign.

Developing the Campaign with Community 

A coalition of Seattle-based community partners—including The Service Board, Hip Hop is Green, Black Stax, and Latino Community Fund—and an additional 40 youth connected to those organizations who are dedicated to their community and health, were convened to understand perceptions and attitudes around sugar-sweetened beverages and marketing tactics.

“Investing the money generated by the SBT tax back into the community that has funded it was the cornerstone to our approach,” explains Amalia Martino, Founder & President, The Vida Agency. “From the Coalitions to local media, and the incredibly bright young people who gave us their time in the midst of a pandemic and online schooling, this campaign has been a joy to conduct in the city I grew up in.”

These youth, along with a smaller group of youth known as the Creative Change Leaders, were instrumental in the development of the campaign’s messaging, branding, and plan. An additional survey reached more than 500 respondents, primarily representing Black, Latinx, and low-income youth and young adults.

“Working with these young people and community organizations was a blast! We got to learn the concerns of the communities whose voices are seldom heard. To watch the value that each person brought to the conversations were vital in leading the direction we chose to take with this campaign. We believe in order to be of service you must first understand what the people you are planning to serve need and what they respect as help in asking for these resources! What a great experience,” said Jace ECAj, a teaching artist from Black Stax.

“This has been a fantastic and innovative creative process to engage community and promote better health outcomes for young people,” said Jason Johnson, Seattle Human Services Director. “This effort can serve as a blueprint for how the City can support community-led ideas in the future. I want to thank the Vida Agency, Hip Hop is Green, Black Stax, The Service Board, Latino Community Fund, and everyone involved at the Human Services Department and in Seattle who made this effort a reality.”

Launch 

The campaign launched in July and will be featured on local radio and news stations, blog posts, and social media. Through a partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Schools, and Seattle Public Utilities, the campaign’s message will reach additional youth, and will include murals and reusable water bottle giveaways.

Community members can learn more at bereadybehydrated.com and preparatehidratate.com or follow the campaign on various social media channels.