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Seattle Human Services news and events

Reminder: Seattle Shelters and Day Centers

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The World Health Organization reminds everyone that the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the flu, and other communicable diseases is by following basic hygiene steps regularly:

  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze (and then promptly dispose of the used tissue)
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible
  • Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.
image of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

We are providing information on what the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is doing in preparation and in response to COVID-19 in communities across Seattle and King County. If a significant expansion of services is required, the City will also need significant resources from the state and federal governments to assist our most vulnerable.

As a reminder, here is a current map of the City of Seattle showing the locations of City- and County-funded shelters and day centers, permitted Tiny House Villages, and public restrooms and showers.

**Updated March 6, 2020: Click here to view an Excel spreadsheet with specific addresses of the locations listed on the map.

Click above to view the map image at letter size

Where to get the most up-to-date public health information 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DOH, and PHSKC have issued specific guidance to help communities and businesses prepare. You can find guidance for the general public, schools, workplaces and employers, travelers and health care professionals as well as a more detailed Q&A here.   

As always, the public is encouraged to call 2-1-1 if they see a person in need and should dial 9-1-1 in the event of a medical emergency.  

HSD Announces Reentry/Rerooting Indigenous Community Healing RFP Funding Opportunity

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The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from organizations and coalitions interested in providing services to support Native/Indigenous people returning to their communities after incarceration.

This funding opportunity was developed from the City of Seattle’s Reentry Workgroup led by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR’s vision is to liberate people in communities where systems of racism, oppression, and colonization historically held and/or continue to hold power and thrive. This request for proposal (RFP) process is a collaboration between OCR and HSD.

Group of indigenous women gathered at the front of a room playing traditional drums and/or chanting

This RFP is focused on reentry investments through Native/Indigenous-led community healing practices. Native/Indigenous-led healing practices may include cultural, spiritual, and/or ceremonial activities such as drumming circles, sweat lodges, canoe journey, woodcarving, and other practices that focus on healing, building connection and trust, and providing a sense of community.

The Workgroup recommended connecting to community and supporting an individual’s sense of belonging as necessary for healthy integration when returning from prison. Native/Indigenous-led community healing practices are approaches identified by the Workgroup that will best address these unique challenges faced by Native/Indigenous communities.

All funded applicants will be required to participate in a learning cohort that will meet regularly. This cohort will:

  • Develop partnerships and share resources to support community best and promising practices to address issues related to reentry/rerooting; and
  • Identify lessons learned that will inform future investments around reentry/rerooting and the criminal legal system.

Approximately $250,000 is available for 2.5 years through this RFP. In 2020 $50,000 is available. The remaining $200,000 will be available in subsequent years, up to December 31, 2022. HSD intends to fund one to two proposals. Initial awards will be made for the period of July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. While it is the City’s intention to follow the annual funding described above, continued funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability.

This is an open and competitive process. For more information, and all RFP materials, please visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities web page: http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding-and-reports/funding-opportunities. Completed application packets are due by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

If you have any questions, or would like to receive a copy of the RFP in the mail or by email, please contact Jules Posadas via email at Jules.Posadas@Seattle.gov or (206) 684-5296.

Seattle Human Services Response to COVID-19

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The Washington State Department of Health announced several new cases of COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus, in King and Snohomish Counties. The first case was announced in Seattle on March 1, 2020. You can learn of new developments in the days and weeks ahead by visiting Public Health — Seattle King County and Washington State Department of Health.  

image of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

We are providing information on what the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is doing in preparation and in response to COVID-19 in communities across Seattle and King County. If a significant expansion of services is required, the City will also need significant resources from the state and federal governments to assist our most vulnerable.   

Background 

HSD serves Seattle and King County’s most vulnerable communities, providing services specifically for people experiencing homelessness, aging communities, and people living with disabilities – many who are homebound. These populations may face higher risks from the spread of COVID-19.

Under the direction of Mayor Jenny Durkan, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and Director Jason Johnson, HSD has been preparing by updating the City’s pandemic response plan to align with COVID-19 response guidance from Public Health – Seattle King County (PHSKC) since January.   

Specifically, HSD has been tasked with developing an action plan to manage COVID-19 impacts for people experiencing homelessness. Additionally, HSD’s Aging and Disability Services Division (ADS), which works with homebound individuals and people who need in-home care, is working closely with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and PHSKC to ensure coordination and communication is aligned with best home care practices and public health guidance.  

Both the City and County’s OEM’s Emergency Operations Center was activated on Monday, March 2 to coordinate the overall City response to COVID-19, including HSD’s efforts.  

HSD Service Providers 

The City works with dozens of service providers across the City, which are a critical partner to ensuing the health and safety needs of our vulnerable population. These include providers of a wide range of services including housing, aging, youth, homelessness, safety, and many more.  

HSD has been coordinating calls with service providers over the weekend to ensure they are prepared to respond to COVID-19 and staff and clients are safe during an outbreak. HSD will continue to lead coordinating calls, in partnership with King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and PHSKC, with service providers to monitor staffing levels and resources. HSD has recommended that all service providers update their continuity of operations to ensure proper staffing, ensure protocols are in place for any illnesses, and deploy hygiene and sanitation recommendations.  

HSD will utilize the EOC to leverage resources as needs come to light. 

Vulnerable Communities –People Experiencing Homelessness 

Individuals living unsheltered face elevated public health risks in general. Working in partnership with King County, HSD’s Homeless Strategy and Investments Division (HSI) has been developing an action plan to address COVID-19 impacts to individuals experiencing homelessness. This includes coordinating with DOH and PHSKC, gathering client and operational impacts with service providers, data tracking, on-going system supply inventory at emergency shelters and day centers, outreach, and identifying the potential for new shelter resources.  

HSD is working with DCHS and PHSKC to identify resources to open additional emergency shelters, such as expanding tiny house village and enhanced shelter capacity or utilizing modular sheltering resources, in response to COVID-19.  Understanding additional State resources may be needed as the situation evolves, the City is working with the State and DCHS to request these additional resources.  

Similar to previous emergencies in 2019 and 2020, HSI and the Navigation Team will continue to coordinate the City’s front-line response for people living unsheltered during the COVID-19 outbreak and is prepared to fully deploy all its resources to assist individuals living unsheltered. Understanding the public health concerns for many individuals living unsheltered, the team will continue outreach and is sharing PHSKC sanitation and hygiene guidelines and will distribute hygiene kits as those supplies become available. The Navigation Team will continue to offer referrals to shelters and is prepared to assist individuals with transportation. HSI will continue to coordinate the City’s contracted outreach work to ensure people living unsheltered continue to be engaged during this public health event. 

Vulnerable Communities – People Needing In-Home Care 

HSD’s Aging and Disability Services Division (ADS)  Case Management Program serves roughly 12,000 households in Seattle and King County. Given that homebound individuals live in relative isolation, different planning and responses are needed to ensure both staff and clients are safe and receiving the support they need.  

Standard health precautions for ADS case managers are currently being followed. Homebound clients may be impacted if DOH directs ADS and providers to discontinue home visits out of concern for clients and staff. HSD will reach out to home care providers this week to ensure sanitation, hygiene, and equipment needs are being met. Home delivered meals will continue. In the event home visits are suspended, phone check-ins will occur and meal delivery services will be taking special precautions such as leaving food at the door.  

Vulnerable Communities – Older Adults 

In partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, HSD serves over 22,000 individuals at senior centers and 12,000 individuals through congregate or community meal programs (2018 figures). These programs are designed to reduce social isolation for aging people, which presents challenges when managing public health risks such as COVID-19.   

ADS is working with senior centers to ensure they are informed and following DOH recommendations and monitoring staffing levels. Many senior centers also offer congregate meals. HSD will work with senior center operators to monitor potential closures and to launch contingency actions if meals can no longer be safely provided in a mass setting at a specific site.   

Additionally, some ADS clients live in Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) housing. ADS case managers often visit and work with clients in SHA buildings. HSD is working with the SHA to ensure operations and staffing are monitored and—like senior centers—if changing programing to discourage social interactions is necessary.  

HSD Employees 

HSD employees, like all City employees, have been and will continue to be provided critical updates through the Seattle Department of Human Resources (SDHR). All City staff have received detailed steps that employees can take to reduce the number of illnesses and negative effects that could occur in the community.  

The guidelines are similar to steps taken to prevent the spread of the common cold or flu. Staff are encouraged to stay home if they are sick, frequently wash hands and disinfect work areas, cover mouth/nose when sneezing, and avoid contact with people who are sick.  

Navigation Team, ADS, and select HSD staff do face higher risk levels given their interactions with the public. HSD front-line staff have been trained in universal precautions and use public health guidelines as they engage clients. ADS case managers have been provided DOH and PHSKC guidelines to ensure their safety, client safety, and provider safety. SDHR will continue to provide updates to all City staff and HSD will communicate more up-to-date information as it becomes available.  

Where to get the most up-to-date public health information 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DOH, and PHSKC have issued specific guidance to help communities and businesses prepare. You can find guidance for the general public, schools, workplaces and employers, travelers and health care professionals as well as a more detailed Q&A here.   

As always, the public is encouraged to call 2-1-1 if they see a person in need and should dial 9-1-1 in the event of a medical emergency.  

Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Now Accepting Applications for 2020 Summer Internships

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SYEP logo

The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) helps young people (ages 16 to 24) from low-income households and communities that experience racial, social, and economic disparities. The goal is to increase youth and young adults’ ability to pursue careers that pay well and are meaningful to them.

SYEP has two components: a school-year exploration and learning experience, and a summer internship. The summer internship places young people in work settings to apply their knowledge, gain hands-on experience, develop professional connections, and build their resume. In 2020, SYEP summer interns will be paid $16.39 for up to 150 hours of work over six weeks.

Two young women wearing nurse uniforms in a hospital room

Specific supports are provided to young people to ensure they are set-up for success, including:

  • An ORCA card to cover transportation to and from the program (if they don’t already have one issued through their school)
  • All fees for tests and/or certifications required by internship sites, such as food handler permits or first aid/CPR
  • Internship-related work clothes or safety equipment, such as hard hats and/or work boots
  • Ongoing support from their Youth Development Counselor for general coaching
Young woman seated in front of a large widescreen monitor and typing on a keyboard

To be eligible for SYEP, young people must be between the ages of 16 and 24 years old, live within the Seattle city limits, and live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). Applications for summer 2020 internships are now open, and will close on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST).

Want to apply? Visit our program website at www.seattle.gov/syep today!

2020 Geographic Specific – Delridge, Georgetown, South Park – Food Bank Services RFP

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Volunteers distributing food at a food bank facility

The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies to provide Geographic Specific Food Bank Services to low-income individuals and families in Delridge, Georgetown, and South Park neighborhoods including, but not limited to:

  1. Basic food bank operations; and
  2. Home delivery of food, meal programs, weekend hunger or backpack programs, nutrition education, and social service navigation assistance (e.g. Community Connectors or similar that assist individuals and families to attain self-sufficiency) provided in or by food banks.

Approximately $111,686 of Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) funding is available in 2020 through this RFP. Initial awards will be made for the period of July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. In subsequent years, $223,372 is available to support year-round work for a contract period of January – December. While it is the City’s intention to renew agreements resulting from this funding opportunity on an annual basis through the 2023 program year, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability.

This is an open and competitive process. HSD seeks to contract with a diverse group of providers to help ensure the result of its Geographic Specific Food Bank Services investment is that all people living in Seattle can meet their basic needs. Completed application packets are due by 12:00 p.m., Noon on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

For more information, and all RFP materials, please visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities web page: http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding-and-reports/funding-opportunities. HSD will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking the web page for updates, clarifications, or amendments.

If you have any questions or would like to receive a copy of the RFP in the mail or by email, please contact Amaury Ávalos at (206) 386-1561 or at amaury.avalos@seattle.gov.

On AgeWise King County: It’s Easier to Receive a Property Tax Reduction

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Did you know that the Human Services Department, through its Aging and Disability Services Division, works with the Seattle-King County Advisory Council for Aging & Disability Services to publish a monthly newsletter aimed at keeping older people and adults with disabilities active, connected and making a difference? Each issue is full of information, tips, event announcements, and more…

King County Assessor John Wilson recently shared that Washington state has provided a property tax reduction to older adults and veterans with disabilities to make it easier for those on fixed incomes to remain in their homes. Unfortunately, due to rapidly rising home values and property taxes, these programs didn’t help enough of our neighbors. That’s why regional leaders and groups like the AARP Washington asked state leaders for help, and in 2019 they responded.

The legislature has raised the income threshold for the property tax exemption program, making tens of thousands more people eligible for help. In King County, if you are 61 years or older, own your home, and have an annual income of $58,423 or less (after certain medical or long-term care expenses), you may be eligible.

King County’s brand-new Property Tax Relief portal is now live at taxrelief.kingcounty.gov. You can watch informative videos and read qualification and application details on this site. Click on “Documents you’ll need” for a handy checklist. To apply online, click on “Sign in to apply.” For more information, e-mail Exemptions.Assessments@kingcounty.gov or call the King County Assessor’s office at 206-296-3920. A booklet is also available (click here). 

The King County Assessor’s new Tax Relief portal is now live! Homeowners can get easy instructions about applying for a property tax exemption and apply online.

Leadership, Legacy, and Advocacy Trailblazers Recognized on Human Trafficking Awareness Day

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Mayor Jenny A. Durkan proclaimed the month of January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” and last Friday, January 10, 2020 to be “Human Trafficking Awareness Day” to proclaim the equality and freedom inherent to all people, to advocate for legislation and protection for survivors, to raise awareness, and to recognize leaders in addressing human trafficking.

“Working to end human trafficking takes passion, commitment, courage, and leadership,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan, at an event held Friday morning at City Hall. “An estimated 400,000 people are believed trapped in forced labor to sex trafficking in the United States. In Seattle, we want that number to be zero, and we must do everything we can to end human trafficking in our City and world. Today, we are honoring key leaders and trailblazers whose collective work have built the foundation for the anti-trafficking movement that we currently have in Seattle, King County, and Washington state today.”

“Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and addressing it requires a shared community responsibility,” said Jason Johnson, Acting Director of HSD. “I thank Mayor Durkan for her leadership as U.S. Attorney and as Mayor in elevating this issue and supporting the City of Seattle’s work to prevent and end exploitation and abuse. I also want to thank our local leaders, including City staff, that have made it their life’s work to address this issue.”

The Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) hosted this year’s “Human Trafficking Awareness Day” partly to recognize the leadership, legacy, and advocacy of trailblazers in our community who have been leading the fight over the past two decades:

  • Former State Rep. Velma Veloria served six terms in the House of Representatives from 1992 until 2004. She successfully lobbied and fought for affordable housing, workers’ rights, racial justice and took particular interest in the impact of international trade and globalization on local communities.  Rep. Veloria worked with local activists to gain passage of HB 1175, making the State of Washington the first state in the nation to criminalize human trafficking on a state level. Since the enactment of HB 1175, 48 states in the nation have passed similar legislation.
  • King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles created The State Task Force Against Human Trafficking with her Senate Bill 5884 which was enacted in 2015.  Currently, she is continuing work on this issue as a County Councilmember by addressing the issue of labor trafficking and economic exploitation. Councilmember Kohl-Welles secured funding for a study to combat human trafficking and economic exploitation in the 2016 budget process. 
  • Dr. Sutapa Basu coordinated the first anti-human trafficking conference in Washington State.  Prior to and since then, Dr. Basu and the UW Women’s Center have been a local leader in research, publications, and conferences to raise awareness of human trafficking and the push and pull factors stemming from economics, globalization, and racism.   
  • Dr. Debra Boyer authored Who Pays the Price: An Assessment of Youth Involvement in Prostitution in Seattle [pdf]. This report, commissioned by the City of Seattle and released in 2008, initiated the City of Seattle’s investment in services to support survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, and related coordinated response work facilitated by HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. 
  • Dr. Sheila Houston has made a difference in the sex trafficking world by leading outreach and victim support teams to work with survivors of trafficking. Her leadership consisted of being directly involved with over 2,500 victims.  Her work has been featured in Seattle Pacific University’s Response Magazine “All in a Days Work” and in 2012 Seattle Met Magazine recognized her as “The Finder of Lost Children”. She has appeared on Northwest Today, Headline News with Jane-Velez-Mitchell, the local NPR radio, as well as every local news channel and paper in the Seattle area. 
  • Emma Catague has 40 years of experience in advocacy. Her “natural helper model” focusing on community-mobilization, community-building, and empowerment has been replicated locally, regionally, and nationally.  Her advocacy work locally and regionally resulted in changes in funding policies, established task forces, and initiated legislation to address gender-based violence, which includes anti-trafficking legislation in Washington State.
  • WashACT is a multi-disciplinary task force convened in 2006 by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington. The Committee’s mission is to ensure that victims of trafficking receive all resources available to them, and that human traffickers are identified, investigated and prosecuted to the utmost extent of the law.

After the proclamation and presentation of awards by Mayor Durkan, and some remarks by WashACT Co-chairs, attendees listened to a keynote presentation and panel discussion with service providers and trafficking survivors.

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

Severe Weather Shelter will open SUNDAY NIGHT JAN 12th through SUNDAY NIGHT JAN 19th

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In anticipation of forecasted snow and extreme temperatures, the City of Seattle will open a severe weather shelter for adults (all genders) starting Sunday night, January 12th through Sunday night, January 19th at the Exhibition Hall at the Seattle Center – 301 Mercer Street – Seattle, WA 98109. The shelter will open at 8pm each night and will close at 7am.

Thumbnail graphic of SEVERE WEATHER SHELTER flier listing information contained in the blog post
Click to view flier

For more shelter options, please call 211 for help and follow @SeattleHSD for updates.

The Severe Weather Shelter is operated by The Salvation Army, and people may use the lower level entrance to enter the Hall. Referral forms are NOT required.

Bus routes to Seattle Center include: #1, #2, #3, #4, #8, #13, #32, and Rapid Ride D Line; and service is also provided by The Seattle Center Monorail running from Westlake Center, accessible by stairs and elevator from Downtown and the Westlake light rail station.

City of Seattle Proclaims January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month” to Encourage Public Awareness and Action Against Human Trafficking

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Michael Taylor-Judd, Public Relations Specialist, External Affairs, City of Seattle Human Services Department, 206-256-5225, michael.taylor-judd@seattle.gov

Seattle – (January 2, 2020) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan proclaimed the month of January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” and January 10, 2020 to be “Human Trafficking Awareness Day” to proclaim the equality and freedom inherent to all people, to advocate for legislation and protection for survivors, to educate leaders, and to encourage public awareness and action against various forms of human trafficking.

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 his or her will. The one exception involves minors and commercial sex. Inducing a minor into commercial sex is considered human trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud or coercion.

Seattle strives to become a place where human trafficking does not exist, where people have opportunities available to them so as not to fall into financial vulnerability, and where all people are treated as fully human and worthy of fair pay, safe working conditions, and freedom.

Flier for Human Trafficking Awareness Day event hosted on January 10, 2020 from 8:30am-11:00am in the Bertha Knight Landes room in Seattle City Hall. FREE registration can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KH9G5VY
Click the image above to view the event flier

Washington State has a proud history of tireless anti-trafficking activism pioneered by women such as former State Representative Velma Veloria, Dr. Sutapa Basu, Executive Director of the UW Women’s Center, and Emma Catague, Community Organizing Program Manager at Asian & Pacific Islander (API) CHAYA (formerly Women and Family Safety Center).

To learn more about local efforts to disrupt human trafficking and ways to get involved, the Seattle Human Services Department’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) is partnering with the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking (WashACT) to host a program honoring these women and others who have led the way in this work and featuring a panel discussion including survivors, activists, and representatives from our criminal justice response to help expand the conversation around human trafficking in the City of Seattle.

This event will be hosted on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 8:30am-11:00am in the Bertha Knight Landes room in Seattle City Hall. FREE registration can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KH9G5VY

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.

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HSD Releases 2020 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

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HSD is pleased to issue its 2020 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) related to the following investments:

  1. Older Adult Health Promotion
  2. Re-entry/Re-rooting Indigenous Community Healing
  3. Food Bank Services: Georgetown, South Park, Delridge Neighborhoods
  4. Supporting Youth and Young Adults for Success

This notice provides an overview of HSD’s impending funding opportunities for 2020 with a brief description of the service areas, anticipated funding amounts, release dates, and contract start dates. These funding opportunities represent over $4 million in investments in nonprofit services; once finalized, HSD will issue detailed funding opportunities for each investment.

The NOFA is available for download now in the Funding Opportunities section of our website at www.seattle.gov/humanservices or by clicking here: Notice of Funding Availability (PDF)