Human Interests Blog Human Services

Human Interests

Seattle Human Services news and events

Fostering a Sense of Belonging For BIPOC Youth

by

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

by

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. 

HSD Releases 2023 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

by

The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) recently issued its 2023 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) related to the following investments:

Chief Sealth head graphic from City of Seattle logo
  1. Family Support Services
  2. Farm to Preschool Program Coordination & Food Procurement
  3. Food Systems
  4. Congregate Meals for Older Adults
  5. Home Delivered Meals
  6. Multicultural Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Services
  7. Culturally Nourishing Foods for Older Adults
  8. Older Adult Legal Services

This notice provides an overview of HSD’s impending funding opportunities for 2023 with a brief description of the service areas for each opportunity, anticipated funding amounts, release dates, and contract start dates. Once finalized, HSD will issue detailed funding opportunities for each investment.

HSD invests in services that connect people with resources and solutions in times of need so we can all live, learn, work, and take part in strong, healthy communities. Guided by HSD’s Theory of Change, funding opportunities will include both population level and racial disparity data and will outline the desired results of the investment. In 2023, HSD will include new questions focused on a) language access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and b) program and service accessibility for individuals for whom English is a second language.

HSD emphasizes the importance of equity by engaging with communities who have been disproportionately impacted by systems of oppression and/or are underserved, such as communities of color, limited English speakers, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, seniors, and low-income individuals and families. HSD recognizes reducing racial and social disparities may require organizations to collaborate and develop a shared strategy to serve our diverse populations. HSD is particularly interested in partnerships that are co-designed and formalized through subcontract arrangements. Partnerships should reflect an equitable division of funding, a focus on strengthening the capacity of partners, a commitment to collecting and using data, and the leveraging of investments by other public or private organizations committed to the project. Any application outlining a partnership will require partner agency signature and may require a memorandum of understanding between agencies.

In the event of budget additions through Mayoral or City Council budget appropriations, HSD may elect to modify existing contracts until such contracts require a new funding process, or HSD may develop a new funding opportunity to expend the additional funds. HSD recommends parties interested in applying for HSD funds review the Department’s Funding Opportunities Webpage regularly and subscribe to the HSD Funding Opportunities email list.

Download the NOFA Document

HSD Announces Funding Awards for Gender-Based Violence Survivor Services

by

Seattle Human Services logo with Chief Seattle medallion and department tagline Equity, Support, and Community

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) and its Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) are pleased to announce the results of the comprehensive Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Survivor Services RFP. The results informed the investment of approximately $10,908,306 in HSD General Fund dollars towards 25 providers providing services under the umbrella of GBV which includes domestic violence (DV), sexual assault (SA), and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE).

“Effective public safety requires a commitment to justice that centers survivors of gender-based violence – providing tailored, time-sensitive support and understanding their experiences to improve our response and preventative work,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “This significant investment in survivor services will support organizations who are best equipped to deliver care and assistance to the individual needs of survivors and victims. Working with advocates, law enforcement, and community leaders, our work to prevent and root out this kind of appalling violence, support survivors, and hold offenders accountable must continue undeterred.”

“Because of the increased need, Council has worked through the pandemic, as well as coming out of it, to increase funds for these life-saving and sustaining services,” said District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, Chair of the Public Safety & Human Services Committee. “Gender-based violence survivors often experience barriers that prevent them from getting help, whether it’s the lack of safe housing, the stigma, or the need to care for dependents. These are all factors, for those living below the poverty line, that can result in a more economically precarious situation.”

This investment will strengthen a diverse network of providers that offer survivor services from prevention to emergency response. Service strategies covered in this RFP included Mobile Flexible Advocacy, Shelter and Housing, Therapeutic Services, Civil Legal Aid, and Specialized Services for Marginalized Populations.

“I am pleased that the Gender-Based Violence Survivor Services Awards will invest in 25 diverse providers. I believe that no matter who the survivor is or what their needs are, each survivor should be able to seek assistance from an organization that best serves their needs,” said HSD Acting Director Tanya Kim. “GBV is preventable, and as #OneSeattle, we will work together to call out and put an end to violence.”

HSD received 29 original agency applications that were deemed eligible for review by MODVSA staff, encompassing 53 distinct strategy proposals requesting more than 150% of the available funds. Each agency application was rated individually, then collectively by five specific strategy proposal review panels. The 17-member Review Committee represented a diverse range of ages, genders, ethnicities, and lived experience. Members included staff from HSD, other City and County departments, volunteers with groups advocating on behalf of survivors and these services, as well as staff and leaders from community-based organizations not seeking funding from this process. All were invited to a final meeting to discuss and provide recommendations for any final adjustments, including departmental efforts to address gaps in services for specialized populations as flagged by the Review Committee.

Congratulations to the following agencies awarded funding through this RFP:

  • API Chaya
  • Aurora Commons
  • Chief Seattle Club
  • Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN)
  • Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP)
  • Filipino Community of Seattle
  • Harborview Medical-Abuse and Trauma Center (HATC)
  • Interim CDA
  • Jewish Family Services (JFS)
  • King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC)
  • LCYC – Legal Services for Youth
  • Mother Nation
  • New Beginnings
  • Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)
  • Northwest Justice Project (NJP)
  • Organization for Prostitution Survivors
  • Real Escape from the Sex Trade (REST)
  • Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA)
  • Salvation Army
  • Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB)
  • Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP)
  • Solid Ground
  • Somali Family Safety Task Force (SFSTF)
  • YWCA
  • Youthcare

As part of a citywide effort to support survivors of sexual assault and hold offenders accountable, Mayor Harrell recently appointed the Mayor’s Advisory Panel on Sexual Assault and System Reform. This summer, Mayor Harrell and SPD Chief Adrian Diaz issued Executive Order 2022-05 to comprehensively identify and address systemic issues in the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) response to sexual assault crimes. SPD has since restored the Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) to eight detectives, partnered with experts at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission to conduct reviews of past sexual assault cases, and begun a broad review of issues throughout the criminal legal system. The Mayor’s Office and SPD also continue to closely collaborate with advocates to create a robust system of community-based victim support resources.

HSD Announces Over $4.5 million in Awards to Expand Child Care Access

by

Awards will support the creation of 311 new child care slots citywide through the expansion or renovation of facilities.

**Updated 10/18/2022 to add additional quote from The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens and a map showing locations of awarded proposals

Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced awards from its Child Care Facilities Request for Proposals (RFP), providing $4.535 million of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) funds through the City’s Seattle Rescue Plan to renovate or develop six programs and increase licensed capacity in preschool and child care facilities, supporting the creation of 311 new child care slots.

City map showing locations of awarded proposals

The RFP focused on supporting child care providers and families hit hardest by COVID-19, in particular low-income workers and communities and people of color, by increasing access to child care. At the national level, mothers of children aged 12 years and younger lost jobs at a rate three times greater than fathers of young children between February and August 2020. Throughout the pandemic, women, particularly women of color, have experienced higher levels of unemployment, threatening to undo decades of progress towards gender equity. Early learning programs are vital to an equitable COVID-19 recovery.

“Seattle has long faced a child care crisis that has put massive financial strain on working families, and the pandemic only magnified this. The lack of affordable, reliable child care options has caused many parents – especially women of color – to lose out on wages, jobs, and other opportunities,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “This $4.535 million investment will add 311 child care seats, including much needed infant seats, to our city’s child care sector, giving more families the support they need to recover and thrive.”

“I am excited to see this significant investment in child care funding go to a diverse group of providers that will serve over 300 Seattle kids,” added HSD’s Acting Director Tanya Kim. “As a working mom, I experienced just how important having the right care for your kid is for the entire family’s ability to thrive. This is an important step to ensuring that working moms and families hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis have the ability to fully recover.”

Proposals for the RFP were assessed by a diverse volunteer panel on project readiness, project budget, provider capacity, and support for low-income and/or Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) families disproportionally affected by COVID-19. The awarded proposals are:

Applicant
(partnership when applicable)		Project NameProject Site AddressAwarded AmountsNew Child Care Slots SupportedEstimated Construction Start Date
Refugee Women’s Alliance – w/ partner WF Northaven/ Barrientos RYANNorthaven11057 8th Ave NE$1.5 million108Q4 2022
Community Roots Housing PDA – w/ partners:
El Centro de la Raza & Bridge Housing		Jose Marti Child Development facility at Northgate3rd Ave NE & NE 103rd St$1.5 million88Q2 2023
The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman GardensTCC Renovation and Facility Expansion5251 Sand Point Way NE$375,00018Q2 2023
Tiny Tots Development Center 1Tiny Tots Development Center 1 Remodel8314 Renton Ave S$422,37415Q4 2022
St. Paul Early Learning CenterRenovation of St Paul ELC’s Toddler & Infant Rooms10001 57th Ave S$308,80823Q4 2022
University Heights Center/University Temple Children’s SchoolUHeights/UTCS Early Learning Expansion5031 University Way NE$428,81859Q4 2022

“I’m delighted to maximize federal COVID relief dollars to invest in long-term educational opportunities for our youngest residents, and additional child care slots for Seattle’s working families,” said Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Chair of the Housing & Finance Committee. “Paired with child care provider investments, our work now builds towards equity, growth, and economic resilience for kiddos, child care providers, working families, and Seattle’s businesses. I’ll be looking to enhance our investments to preserve existing and new facilities in child care in this year’s budget process and thank the team at HSD, and SEIU 925, for their work in launching this program.”

“The child care shortage facing our city, region and nation is impacting working families the hardest. These awards focus on the people we need to serve to make sure working parents can retain their family’s self-sufficiency and help kids thrive,” said Councilmember Dan Strauss, District 6. “The systemic issues creating our child care backlog cannot be fixed with one solution, and this focused funding is an essential piece to make child care more affordable, accessible, and closer to home. Thank you to all child care providers, because without you working families would come to a standstill.”

Together, these six projects will add much needed child care slots in neighborhoods that are currently underserved. Several projects will add highly sought-after licensed infant care slots.

Architect’s rendering of proposed ReWA facility at Northaven

“There is a tremendous need by the community to have accessibility for birth to 5-year-old child care. This investment was vital for ReWA to expand its programming in meeting the demands and needs of low-income, immigrant, and refugee children to have an opportunity to thrive in a high-quality early learning environment in which their identity and home languages are supported and strengthened as they transition to kindergarten,” said Susan Lee, Director, Early Learning Centers Operations, Refugee Women’s Alliance. “The investment by HSD has offered an opportunity for ReWA to provide an innovative, multi-generational campus partnering with Northaven Senior Living, leveraging shared use of space with forward-thinking concepts of intergenerational programming.”

The Northaven project, operated by Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA), will add child care in the Northgate neighborhood and will be co-located with a senior living center to promote multigenerational activities. Currently, 95% of the children ReWA currently serves in its child care live in low-income families, where the household earnings are less than 80% median family income.

“El Centro de la Raza’s Jose Marti Child Development Center is honored and privileged to partner with Community Roots Housing and BRIDGE Housing,” said Estela Ortega, Executive Director of El Centro de la Raza. “We are very happy and excited for the opportunity to provide a high-quality bilingual, bicultural curriculum emphasizing cultural diversity, social justice, and family involvement in the Northgate area of Seattle.”

The Jose Marti Child Development Facility, operated by El Centro de la Raza, will be co-located with affordable housing adjacent to the Northgate light rail station.

“We are excited to partner with the City of Seattle’s Child Care Facilities program! These funds will assist us in increasing our center capacity by 40% and adding a new toddler classroom while remaining open to serve currently enrolled families,” shared Jennifer Kelty, Executive Director of The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens. “High quality child care and early learning programs are critical to Seattle’s workforce and economy, and programs like the Child Care Facilities fund are an investment in both our current and future generations!”

The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens serves a high percentage of children with disabilities.

“In the current condition that COVID left most programs scrambling to meet our basic needs, there is not enough left over to upgrade, repair or expand without these vital Child Care Facilities funds” said Angelia Hicks-Maxie, CEO of Tiny Tots Development Center. “These funds are a lifeline for programs to continue to provide quality facilities for children and families. Thank You, City of Seattle for your investments!”

“Thanks to the HSD Child Care Facilities grant, this will allow us to renovate two classrooms to create a toddler and infant room. By adding these renovated toddler and infant rooms we will be allowing our current licensed program to become a full Early Learning Center (ELC) in South Seattle,” said Laurie Clark, Center Director at St. Paul Early Learning Center. “The complete ELC model will allow families a quality, full-day, year-round child care program for their children birth to 5 years of age. We are so excited to get this place renovated and fully enrolled! Thanks again for this grant to allow us to move forward.”

“Investing in early learning programs is a proven strategy in investing in our children’s futures. UHeights is grateful for the HSD Child Care Facility Award that is allowing us to partner with University Temple Children’s School (UTCS) to expand early learning opportunities for 59 additional children, with 50% slotted for families who qualify for state subsidies,” said Maureen Ewing, Executive Director of UHeights. “This award is making it possible to ensure the continued success of UTCS, after they were displaced from their U District home of 50 years, after it was demolished for redevelopment.”

Recognizing Some of Our Partners in Working to End Gender-Based Violence

by

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). It is a time to remember victims/survivors of abuse and exploitation, to raise awareness of violence and its effect on families and communities, and a time to acknowledge and highlight those working to address ending gender-based violence. “Kay,” “Elle,” and “Emmi” are just a few of those impacted by domestic violence this year.

“Kay” called New Beginnings from the hospital where she was currently being treated for an ankle that was broken from the most recent violent outburst from her abusive ex. With her in the hospital was her 5-year-old child and her 6-week-old baby. She was currently homeless after fleeing and was staying in a hotel with a voucher from a local program. Kay needed safety planning, emotional support, diapers, food, and housing. While working with her advocate she was able to put aside some funding for her to obtain housing, however she really felt that she needed a more holistic form of support and felt more comfortable in a program rather than in housing on her own. Kay’s advocate was able to work with her to get her into a shelter space where she could work with advocates, heal, and work toward becoming more stable before entering into an apartment. She is currently doing very well in this housing program.

Mother Nation had a client that came to them by referral from a mutual aid organization. “Elle” lived up in the Northern part of the state and had been through numerous foster homes throughout her childhood. Growing up in poverty and addiction to substances, she was fleeing domestic violence with an unborn child, and close to her due date. She was sheltered and provided with supportive services throughout her time in Seattle. She was able to engage in a survivors group based on Native American healing practices with Mother Nation and supported in attending all her AA meetings and weekly updates with her Sponsor outside of the agency. Getting all the resources together for Elle was positively uplifting for her because it gave her hope and she immediately became more engaged in parental duties. She even went back to court to get her other three kids out of foster care. Her case manager helped her to get transitional housing while she applied for a housing voucher. She also has strong determination to go back to school to get her GED and her Associate’s degree. Recovering with her kids is now a strong priority to her.

API Chaya was connected with a survivor and her small children who fled violence from another state. “Emmi” was a survivor of domestic violence, and the children were survivors of child sexual assault. They were initially staying at a motel, but advocates were able to assist the family with a Section-8 voucher and found a safe and affordable home. They are currently working and getting ready for their move in. Emmi is also accessing free and confidential therapy services which are helping her overall well-being. With the support of advocacy services, she was able to modify her custody order and she was also granted spousal support. This progress is helping and encouraging her to establish more stability, healing and independence as she moves forward with her life.

Banner image with purple ribbon and text October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The City of Seattle invests in strategies to prevent, intervene, and hold offenders accountable, while promoting healing, services, and community support for more than 10,000 survivors and their families each year by partnering with more than 35 organizations. Mayor Harrell’s 2023-2024 Proposed Budget includes new resources to support survivors of intimate partner violence by increasing victim advocacy staffing and to assess the current gaps in victim support advocacy.

Our providers work in collaboration to provide wrap around services for survivors and their families including advocacy, counseling, therapeutic services, housing/shelter, legal assistance and representation, and systems enhancement. In addition, some also participate in regional coalition building efforts such as Access to Advocacy, Peace in the Home Helpline, Day One, Coordinated Effort Against Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), Criminal Justice Committee, and Domestic Violence Prevention Council (DVPC), which convene regularly to assess, identify, plan and address systems needs and gaps, and to ensure that Seattle’s regional response is seamless.

Along with Mayor Bruce Harrell and the City Council’s proclamation of the month, 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
  • Chief Seattle Club
  • 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
  • Green Light Project
  • 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 Family Safety Task Force
  • WA Anti-Trafficking Response Network (WARN)
  • YouthCare
  • YWCA King, Pierce, Snohomish

Please click on the image above of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) Acting Director, Tanya Kim, and Safe and Thriving Communities Division Director, Rex Brown, 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!

Seattle Great Wheel lit up in purple at night

During DV Awareness Month, our partners at the Columbia Center Tower, Lumen Field, and The Seattle Great Wheel will be changing their lights to “wear purple” on Thursday, October 20, 2022 for #PugetSoundPurpleThursday.

HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Seattle Office of Labor Standards are inviting everyone to join us to raise awareness of domestic violence NEXT THURSDAY, and share your photo on social media with the hashtags #PurpleThursday and #PugetSoundPurplethursday. Include in your photo a sign stating why you are wearing purple on this day or why this cause has special meaning for you.

Sign image with purple ribbon and text which reads I wear purple for all victims and survivors of domestic violence

City of Seattle Recognizes October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”

by

**Cross-posted with the Office of the Mayor

This year’s theme— #Every1KnowsSome1—illustrates the importance of public awareness and participation

Each year, the City of Seattle recognizes October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to raise awareness and acknowledge the victims and survivors of abuse and its effects on families and communities.

Image of the first page of the official proclamation containing various Whereas clauses and statistics on domestic violence which are mentioned in this press release.

This week, Mayor Bruce Harrell and City Council proclaimed this October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Seattle” to encourage all Seattle residents to recognize the signs of abuse and coercion and work to make this city a place where domestic violence does not exist. The proclamation was presented to the Seattle Women’s Commission at City Council.

“Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. In Washington, 1 in 8 adults report having been injured by an intimate partner – this is unacceptable. The traumatic impacts of domestic violence are felt across generations, and we must advocate for victims and survivors and connect them with support and resources,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “I encourage every Seattleite to use this time to learn how they can help a family member, friend, or neighbor who may be suffering abuse in silence.”

“Seattle residents are fortunate to have many dedicated organizations helping people who find themselves impacted by intimate partner and gender-based violence,” said City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, Chair of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee. “If you’re worried about someone in your life, the most important thing you can do is listen, tell them you believe them, and offer to support them in whatever way they need.  You can learn more about domestic violence at DVHopeline.org or call them 24/7 at (877) 737-0242.  They will provide support, resources, and in-language assistance.  I’m grateful to our Human Services Department and their dozens of partners, who help people impacted by domestic violence every day; and to the Seattle Women’s Commission for their efforts to break the stigma surrounding domestic violence.”

Since its inception in 1989, the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) within the Human Services Department has been charged with leading the City of Seattle’s response to Gender-Based Violence and has expanded beyond domestic violence to include sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes of coercive control. The City of Seattle invests in strategies to prevent, intervene, and hold offenders accountable, while promoting healing, services, and community support for those impacted by domestic violence by partnering with more than 35 organizations to provide services to more than 10,000 survivors and their families each year. Mayor Harrell’s 2023-2024 Proposed Budget includes new resources to support survivors of intimate partner violence by increasing victim advocacy staffing and to assess the current gaps in victim support advocacy.

No community is immune to the physical or emotional abuse of domestic violence, but we can all play a role to recognize the signs of abuse and support those in need of help as we work towards a Seattle where everyone is safe, healthy, and thriving. We cannot be silent on domestic violence, and I am proud to work in partnership with Mayor Harrell, City Council, our dedicated HSD staff, and numerous community and City partners to raise awareness. Join me this month to honor victims, support survivors, and come together to end domestic violence once and for all.

Tanya Kim, Acting Director of the Human Services Department

“The Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence is honored to join the Mayor and the City Council in proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Merril Cousin, Executive Director of the Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence. “The Coalition educates, organizes, and leads over 30 gender-based violence agencies in King County, all of which support diverse survivors of domestic and sexual violence in our communities all throughout the year. We must honor the courage and dignity of survivors by ensuring that supportive services are available and accessible to all survivors as they work towards safety and self-determination. Thank you to the Mayor’s Office and City Council for using your powerful platforms to inspire awareness on behalf of survivors of domestic violence.”

The City also takes seriously its responsibility to its own employees and to serve as a role model for other large organizations. 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.

“Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance has provided a decade of much-needed protections for workers in Seattle. Safe time in particular is a pivotal resource to help domestic violence survivors seek the assistance they need,” said Steven Marchese, Director of the Office of Labor Standards. “The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) takes this moment to increase awareness about legal protections available to Seattle workers and their families. Our workplaces can play an important role in a survivor’s physical safety and financial security, especially when they offer paid safe leave for absences related to domestic violence and sexual assault. OLS is committed to help end gender-based violence — it is a shared responsibility.”

Photo of seven men and women of various ages and races, all posing for camera wearing various shades of purple clothing

To honor victims and support survivors, the Humans Services Department is encouraging City employees and members of the community to wear purple on Thursday, October 20, 2022. “Purple Thursday” is the domestic violence awareness day launched by the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence that’s now gone national with observances across the country. Post a photo, hold a sign, or share a personal story if you are comfortable, and use the social media hashtags #DVAM and #PurpleThursday. In a show of support of “Purple Thursday”, The Seattle Great Wheel and Columbia Center will light up purple on Thursday, October 20, 2022, and at times throughout the month.

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 12 to 4 p.m. the Seattle Women’s Commission is hosting an event at Seattle City Hall titled “Shattering Stigma through Knowledge” as a day of learning how to break the stigmas related to domestic violence and make access and resources more easily available to those who have been affected. The event is open to the public in-person or participants can join virtually. Food, refreshments, and childcare will be available. For more information contact: tanayasu.swc@gmail.com. 

“On behalf of the Seattle Women’s Commission, I accept this Proclamation very humbly and with gratitude,” said Tana Yasu, Chair of the Seattle Women’s Commission. “The work we do on the Commission is a mere fragment compared to our front-line workers and advocates who work diligently 365 days a year to curtail and dismantle the social disorder we call domestic violence. It is a privilege, honor, and duty to work with the Mayor and City Council to shine a light of hope and lend a helping hand to victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Banner image with purple ribbon and text October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from a Day of Unity first observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates for survivors of abuse across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities was conducted at the local, state, and national levels, and has since grown to become a federally observed month of awareness and action on domestic violence.

Please visit the OLS website for more information on the PSST Ordinance or call 206-256-5297. If you or someone you know needs assistance, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or call the 24/7 DVHopeline at (877) 737-0242.

For more ideas and action steps that you can take to end domestic violence, visit the Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence or Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Promoting Public Health

by

Two women smile and pose in front of a fire engine red SUV with lights on top
ADS case managers Donna Andrews and Ashley Clayton pose in front of SFD’s Health One vehicle.

Promoting Public Health is one of Seattle Human Services’ (HSD) six key impact areas. Our vision: All people living in Seattle experience moderate to optimum health conditions. And, across the board, we strive to ensure that people of color do not experience disparities.

During the month of September, we will be highlighting public health investments and awareness campaigns across multiple platforms.

Today, we begin with a quick summary of HSD investments in public health—behavioral and physical health and health planning:

  • Accountable Communities of Health—The City partners with King County to improve health care delivery through HealthierHere, the Accountable Community of Health for King County, working to transform the way health care is delivered and build an integrative system for medical, social, behavioral, and community health. Last month, HealthierHere announced HSD investments that will increase access to health care and improved health outcomes among people who are uninsured or underinsured. 
  • Elder Abuse Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT)—HSD’s Aging and Disability Services (ADS) Division participates in a multi-disciplinary team working to prevent elder abuse. The MDT partnership includes the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Adult Protective Services. Together, we provide a coordinated response for victims of elder abuse and people experiencing self-neglect. 
  • Mobile Crisis Team—HSD contracts with King County to provide a Mobile Crisis Team as a 911 alternative/ behavioral health response. Teams of two (2) mental health clinicians who also have additional training in the field of substance use disorders accept referrals from first responders (police and fire), Crisis Connections, and Designated Crisis Responders for eligible individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, including mental health and/or substance use crisis. The Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT), an extension of Mobile Crisis Team services, is made up of a Mental Health Profession supervisor and two Peer Navigators. The BHRT works in collaboration with existing crisis response teams to respond to and help resolve crises in the community, or to address the needs of individuals with high utilization of the 911 system due to suspected behavioral health. 
  • Mobile Integrated Health Partnership—HSD and the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) launched a mobile health response as a 911 alternative. Through the Health One Program, which was launched in 2019, HSD partners with SFD to support a mobile integrated health response. Through this response, we’re able to immediately assist individuals in their moment of need and by helping them navigate the situation. This includes medical care, mental health care, shelter, or other social services. 
  • PEARLS—HSD ADS’s Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) educates older veterans about depression—what it is (and is not) and the skills they need for self-sufficiency and more active lives. The program takes place in the older adult’s home or in a community-based setting that is accessible and comfortable for older adults who do not see other mental health programs as a good fit for them.  
  • Public Health—Seattle-King County (PHSKC)—PHSKC is a joint department between City of Seattle and King County that operates through an interlocal agreement. City investments in PHSKC support behavioral health services including healthcare access for people living homeless, a significant portion of which focuses on substance abuse, mental health, and medication management; Drug User Health and Harm Reduction services, e.g., needle exchange, crisis response; and treatment and recovery services. 
  • Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD)—The City partners with King County on the MIDD local sales tax initiative. The state legislature created the option for counties to support behavioral health services locally by increasing the local sales tax by 0.1 percent to augment state funding for behavioral health services and therapeutic courts. State law (RCW 82.14.460) requires that revenue raised under the MIDD must be used for new and expanded mental health and substance use disorder services. Participation in MIDD enables counties to leverage state and federal resources for behavioral health.  
  • Youth—HSD’s Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division funds behavioral and mental health programs that provide culturally appropriate counseling services tailored to the individual needs, interests, strengths and goals of each youth and his/her/their family. Services are based on assessment results, guided by individualized treatment plans, and encompass prevention and intervention strategies. 

If you have questions about any of these investments, feel free to contact the HSD Health Integration Specialist Jeff Sakuma (Jeff.Sakuma@seattle.gov).

HSD Announces Funding Awards for Youth Behavioral Health Services

by

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the Youth and Young Adult Behavioral Health RFP which closed May 16, 2022, releasing $938,841 of HSD General Fund dollars for organizations to provide behavioral health support to young people.

Positive young black guy laughing near graffiti wall with rainbow flag
[Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels]

Funding of these services was last released in 2016 and only allowed for the provision of evidence-based mental health services. For this RFP, HSD responded to community feedback and expanded the scope to include non-residential behavioral health via clinical, evidence-based treatment methods and/or non-clinical, culturally specific approaches that contribute toward holistic mental and behavioral health and wellness.

HSD received 17 proposals totaling $3.57 million in requested funds. Rating committee members had knowledge and professional and lived experience in youth-centered programming, counseling, and chaplaincy work.

The seven-member rating committee supported funding the top eight scoring proposals. All provide services to both BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth via either clinical treatment and/or non-clinical, culturally specific behavioral health approaches:

  1. Southwest Youth and Family Services
  2. Southeast Youth and Family Services
  3. Neighborcare Health
  4. Therapeutic Health Services
  5. Northwest Credible Messenger
  6. Atlantic Street Center
  7. Boys and Girls Clubs of King County
  8. WAPI Community Services

Thank you so much for this welcome news! We look forward to continuing our work to bring behavioral help support to our community.

Steve Daschle, Executive Director, Southwest Youth and Family Services

Southwest Youth and Family Services will provide services that include individual, family, or group therapy and that will be culturally attuned and linguistically appropriate to increase access and reduce disparities for BIPOC youth. Close coordination with Seattle Public Schools in West and South Seattle is designed to improve accessibility for students seeking counseling.

Northwest Credible Messenger will support BIPOC young people through a culturally responsive, behavioral health approach. The program will provide culturally responsive peer support services, counseling for individuals, groups, or families, triage services for youth awaiting treatment, and Healing Centered Engagement that includes meditation, mindfulness, and art-based sessions.

Atlantic Street Center developed the CoRe (Courage, Cooperation, Respect and Resourcefulness) program, an innovative 10-week group workshop using video games to deliver evidence-based therapy that builds interpersonal and emotional regulation skills among diverse, at-risk youth. Interactive games in a peer-learning environment encourage youth to practice coping mechanisms without the normal resistance.

Look for future blog entries highlighting the work of these agencies and the other awardees after contracts begin next year.

SYEP Applications Open now for Fall!

by

Foundations and Pathways Program application is open now and will close at 3 PM on Friday, September 23, 2022.

SYEP logo featuring the Seattle skyline in black silhouette, the four capital letters, and the words Seattle Youth Employment Program

The Foundations and Pathways program is a new, redesign of our previous Learn and Earn program, where participants received 1:1 support and weekly cohort-based sessions on pre-employment soft skills. Our new program will offer two different offerings, to best support your career development journey (see information below)!

How to Apply and Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, an applicant must be between the ages of 16 and 24, meet the City of Seattle Residency requirement, and live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income. To apply to the program, click here to access the Youth Portal where you will create an account, fill out your application, and submit all documents to be considered for the program. For how to’s and acceptable documents, please refer to the links below.

Program Information:

Foundations: for participants with limited or no previous job readiness trainings or backgrounds and need pre-employment trainings and mentorship. Get paid to attend trainings while preparing for your first or next job and making new connections along the way.

  • Get support from an SYEP staff member throughout the program to develop skills and interact in small groups with peers
  • Gain practical tools to build your resume, cover letter, etc.

In order to be eligible for this section of our program, you will have a willingness to engage with our staff and curriculum, be able to attend all cohort-based sessions, and have NOT participated before in SYEP’s Learn and Earn program, Foundations or Job Readiness Bootcamp.

Pathways: for participants who have had previous job training experiences but need intermediate or certified trainings, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship internship opportunities. Participate in professional training and programs to gain skills & credentials for specific career tracks, which can lead to professional level internship(s).

  • Get support from an SYEP staff member throughout the program to navigate career fields and develop your career portfolio
  • Receive networking and interviewing opportunities with leading industry professionals

In order to be eligible for this section of our program, you will have participated in SYEP’s Learn and Earn programming, Foundations program or Job Readiness Bootcamp (during school year and/or summer 2020; 2021).

Once you submit your application with all necessary documentation, our dedicated staff members will follow-up with you regarding your application status. Those selected to move forward will be invited to participate in our intake process, where we will spend time getting to know you and help determine fit for program. You can always check the status of your application via the Youth Portal.

Please reach out to us directly if you have any questions or concerns. We can be reached at SYEP@SEATTLE.GOV.

Apply via the Youth Portal