Human Interests Blog Human Services

Human Interests

Seattle Human Services news and events

What a Year! Thank you.

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*UDP Enrollment numbers were updated after publication.

As 2020 comes to a close, I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and as well as one can be in what has surely been one of the more challenging years we have faced as a department. Back in January, we already knew that “change” would be a theme this year.

One of the city’s top priorities for the year was to help stand-up and launch the new King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). For HSD, this included transitioning our Homeless Strategy and Investment division staff and contracts to a co-location space with their County peers and development of a staffing plan.

While that work has been underway all year, little did we know at the start of 2020 that a global pandemic like nothing seen in at least a century was already underway. Not only did that slow the progress of this work, it lead to most employees shifting to work from home, being reassigned, and changing work plans. Plus significant impacts to our economy and unimaginable changes to how each of us conduct our daily lives.

With homelessness response transitioning to the KCRHA, our department planned to spend much of the year redefining how it exists within the human services space. HSD planned to work with staff, service providers, and clients to co-create a roadmap for the future. This work launched in February with an understanding that race and social justice should underpin everything that we were going to talk about. The public health crisis forced us to pause that work almost immediately. Little did we know the paradigm shift coming in the summer as the support for Black Lives Matter took on new meaning for our general society and millions more people “awoke” to the understanding that it’s time to rethink how we spend our tax dollars and how our governments respond to the needs of the community.

Human Services Department (HSD) staff and our community partners have been a part of the front-line response to COVID-19, pivoting programs and rising to the many challenges to help those most in need. I am deeply proud of the work we have accomplished together during this crisis. Our mission to connect people with resources and solutions during times of need so we can all live, learn, work, and take part in strong, healthy communities took on a much greater sense of urgency in 2020, even as we managed our ongoing work.

COVID-19:

Image of the Food Resources Map
  1. In March, HSD’s Data, Performance, and Evaluation (DPE) team built an interactive map of food bank and meal programs operating in Seattle and King County. It is available to the public and provides up-to-date details for these resources. To date, the site has over 34,000 views and is updated on a regular schedule.
  2. HSD successfully redeployed approximately 130 employees throughout the department to fulfill mission priority work related to food distribution, set-up of emergency shelters in City-owned buildings, and shelter staffing support including overnight shifts. Staff also provisioned over $600,000 in PPE, sanitation supplies, and to-go food distribution supplies for emergency feeding providers.
  3. HSD helped our community partners respond to the pandemic by supporting multiple capital projects: including construction of three new childcare facilities to support families with low-incomes, relocation of the ROOTS youth shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting relocation and expansion of the Ballard Food Bank facility.
  4. Our staff oversaw the implementation of two rounds of CDBG and ESG CARES Act emergency funding, working across six departments and the Mayor’s office to maximize impact, and managed 10 new COVID response funding sources totaling almost $50M of increased budget to aid in the City’s pandemic response.
  5. Over $8M in state and federal funds was awarded to providers for COVID response to BIPOC communities, free and reduced lunch students, people experiencing homelessness, and more, working with partners like the National Guard and the United Way of King County.

Preparing Youth for Success:

  1. A new public awareness campaign was launched in partnership with The Vida Agency – “Be Ready. Be Hydrated. / Prepárate. Hidrátate.” – which promoted healthy choices to counter sugary beverage marketing tactics aimed at youth of color. It was funded by the Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax. 
  2. Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) developed a Summer Virtual Job Readiness Program pilot for over 200 youth in collaboration with Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Police Department. The workshops included teambuilding, time management, problem solving, growth mindset, resumé and cover letter writing, interviewing, and certifications in First Aid/CPR and Food Handling. Participants earned a stipend of up to $599.

Supporting Affordability and Livability:

  1. 11,137 households were enrolled in the Utility Discount Program (UDP) through the COVID-19 online self-certification form through 1/03/21. The total number of households benefiting from UDP now exceeds over 40,000.

Promoting Public Health:

  1. The nationally-recognized Mobile Integrated Health Program partnership increased the service area for Health One and now allows any Seattle Fire unit to make a referral. 

Addressing Homelessness:

Nav Team members prepare hygiene kits
  1. HSD provided additional funds to our homeless service providers through an emergency funding process to support unanticipated costs due to COVID-19. We funded shelter programs, day/hygiene centers, and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) sites. These funds allowed for program modification and physical layout of program spaces to be COVID-compliant. 
  2. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early March through September, HSD’s Navigation Team engaged over 2,300 individuals experiencing homelessness, made over 670 site visits for outreach, conducted over 1,650 encampment litter/debris pickups, and made over 610 shelter referrals. 
  3. The Navigation Team had over 5,400 conversations about COVID-19 with people experiencing homelessness, provided over 2,600 hygiene kits, distributed over 2,300 COVID-19 and Hepatitis A related public health fliers, and handed out over 1,100 boxed meals. 
  4. Over five days of outreach in September during the wildfire smoke emergency, Navigation Team System Navigators conducted 217 needs assessments, distributed 219 emergency shelter flyers, provided 178 basic needs items, made 32 referrals into the emergency smoke shelter and 30 referrals into other City-funded shelter programs. 

KCRHA:

  1. Three governance committees for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) have been formed: Governing Committee (GC); Implementation Board (IB), and; Continuum of Care (CoC) Board. This included hiring Lived Experience (LE) Coalition staff, Johnathan Hemphill, to support the LE representatives at all levels of the governance structure. Joint meetings/trainings were also conducted focusing on racial justice.
  2. The new regional homelessness authority also established operational functions to support KCRHA employees and business operations (e.g. retirement, accounting and payroll services, insurance, and health benefits) and initiated recruitment for a CEO, including a final job description announcement and recruitment packet.

Promoting Healthy Aging:

Virtual Events logo
  1. Early on in 2020, HSD was tasked with creating an action plan to manage the impacts of the pandemic on the vulnerable communities we work with. Aging and Disability Services division staff increased nutrition services by expanding delivery and mobile options to meet growth due to COVID and provided new guidelines and other support for our community provider network. Staff also pivoted in-home supports, offering online and telephonic services that helped keep over 12,000 community long-term care clients safe.
  2. Staff also supported social and civic engagement by moving Age Friendly Seattle programs online, creating a weekly virtual event series, coordinating a variety of other special events, and establishing an Aging King County YouTube channel featuring event recordings with closed captioning.

Supporting Safe Communities:

Young woman dressed in purple with a purple witch's hat on her head
  1. As part of our Domestic Violence Awareness Month social media campaign, and to take advantage of a rare fifth #PurpleThursday in October, our staff and friends decided to join with some other DV awareness programs around the country in also promoting a Purple Pumpkin decorating challenge. Here are some of the results.
  2. As Mayor Jenny A. Durkan said recently, this year also brought “a civil rights reckoning that demanded our city address systemic injustices in policing, housing, health care, and education.” Because of changes to how our City addresses Public Safety, the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) recently welcomed 13 colleagues from the Seattle Police Department to be part of the Crime Survivor Services Unit.

    The Crime Survivor Services Unit’s focus is victim advocacy, providing immediate support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, child abuse, violent crimes, and homicides. In addition, MODVSA also welcomed five new MSW Interns who are working with the MODVSA Manager on investment, program, and policy research.
  3. This new unit within the MODVSA, as well as the Office itself, will be part of something new in 2021, as HSD staff work through feedback gathered at the community forum series we recently held to help stand up its new Safe and Thriving Communities Division. This new division will respond to community requests for the City of Seattle to shift funding away from traditional police response and reinvest in community building efforts using nearly $22 million in annual investments.

As we look to 2021, we know that much of the public health response will continue for some time. We also know the challenging work we planned for this year will need to resume in the months to come.

Please join me in celebrating these tremendous contributions toward our department results. Thank you for continuing to rise to the challenge of making a positive difference in people’s lives!

Your Partner,

Jason Johnson,
Acting Director

The City of Seattle can Help Pay Your Electric and Utility Bills

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Traducción Española | dịch tiếng Việt | 中文翻譯  | 한국어 번역 | Tarjumaadda Af-Soomaaliga | የአማርኛ ትርጉም

We're here to help.

COVID-19 has affected Seattle residents in many ways. Many people, including older adults and families, are facing tough times due to job loss.

The City of Seattle can help people who are struggling to pay their electricity and utilities bills. Eligible households can enroll in the City of Seattle’s Utility Discount Program (UDP), which offers a 60% discount on Seattle City Light bills and a 50% discount on Seattle Public Utilities bills.

To be eligible, your pre-tax household income must be at or below 70% of the state’s median income. (The “median income” value is used by many programs to determine income eligibility. In 2021, a four-person household may earn up to $5,996 per month or an annual income of $71,952 before taxes or other deductions.)

UDP Application Process

• Complete the online enrollment form at this website.

The form is in English. For language support, please call to speak to a representative.

• Your application will be reviewed and processed. If your application meets the eligibility requirements, your household will be enrolled.

The response email or letter may be in English.

• The discount may take up to two billing cycles to appear on your bills.

• Customers approved for receiving the discount will need to renew their application with income documentation six months after their approval date.

If you receive a call, email and/or postcard stating you need to contact our office to renew your application, please call 206-684-0268 to speak to a representative. Interpretation services are available. You do not need to complete another online application form.

If you have questions about UDP enrollment or would like assistance, call or e-mail UDP@Seatttle.gov. If you need an interpreter, please request one when you call, and please tell the operator what language you need interpretation for. There may be a slight wait time to connect to an interpreter.

You can find additional information, including more detailed eligibility requirements, on this webpage: www.seattle.gov/UDP

Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities will keep services on for customers, even if they are behind on paying their bills, throughout the pandemic. Customers can set up a deferred payment plan by calling 206-684-3000 or by sending an email through this website at any time.

La Ciudad de Seattle puede ayudarle a pagar sus facturas de la luz y los servicios públicos

We're here to help.

COVID-19 ha afectado a los residentes de Seattle de muchas maneras.
Muchas personas están pasando por momentos difíciles debido a la pérdida de sus empleos, incluidos adultos mayores y familias.

La Ciudad de Seattle puede ayudar a quienes estén luchando por pagar sus facturas de la luz y servicios públicos. Los hogares que cumplan con los requisitos pueden inscribirse al Programa de descuentos en servicios públicos de la Ciudad de Seattle (UDP), que ofrece un descuento del 60% en las facturas de Seattle City Light y un descuento del 50% en las facturas de los Seattle Public Utilities.

Para que pueda ser aprobado para recibir los descuentos, su ingreso familiar debe ser igual o inferior al 70% del ingreso medio del estado, antes de impuestos. (Muchos programas utilizan el valor del “ingreso medio” para determinar si cumple con los requisitos de ingresos. En 2021, un hogar de cuatro personas puede ganar hasta $5,996 al mes o un ingreso anual de $71,952 antes de impuestos u otras deducciones).

Proceso de solicitud del UDP

• Llene el formulario de inscripción en línea en este sitio web.

El formulario está en inglés. Llame para recibir ayuda en otros idiomas y para hablar con un representante.

• Su solicitud será revisada y procesada. Si su solicitud cumple con los requisitos, su hogar será inscrito en el programa.

El correo electrónico o la carta que reciba con la respuesta puede estar en inglés.

• Pueden pasar hasta dos ciclos de facturación antes de que el descuento se refleje en sus facturas.
• Los clientes que reciben la aprobación para recibir el descuento deberán renovar su solicitud con sus comprobantes de ingresos seis meses después de la fecha de la aprobación.

Si recibe una llamada, un correo electrónico y/o una tarjeta postal indicándole que debe comunicarse con nuestra oficina para renovar su solicitud, llame al 206-684-0268 para hablar con un representante.
Hay servicios de interpretación disponibles. No necesita llenar otra solicitud en línea.

Si tiene preguntas sobre como inscribirse a UDP o si desea recibir ayuda, llame o envíe un correo electrónico a UDP@Seatttle.gov. Si necesita un intérprete, solicítelo cuando llame y dígale al operador(a) para que idioma necesita interpretación. Es posible que tenga que esperar un poco para establecer conexión con un intérprete.

Puede encontrar información adicional, incluyendo los requisitos más detallados del criterio de selección, en esta página web: www.seattle.gov/UDP

La alcaldesa Jenny Durkan anunció que Seattle City Light y Seattle Public Utilities seguirán proporcionado servicio durante la pandemia a todos los clientes, incluso si se atrasan en pagar sus facturas. Los clientes pueden configurar un plan de pago diferido llamando al 206-684-3000 o enviando en cualquier momento, un correo electrónico a través de este sitio web.

Thành phố Seattle có thể giúp quý vị thanh toán các hóa đơn điện và nước

We're here to help.

COVID-19 đã ảnh hưởng đến cư dân Seattle theo nhiều cách. Nhiều người, kể cả người lớn tuổi và các hộ gia đình đang phải đối mặt với thời kỳ khó khăn do mất việc làm.

Thành phố Seattle có thể giúp những người đang gặp khó khăn trong việc trả tiền điện nước. Các hộ gia đình đủ điều kiện có thể ghi danh vào Chương Trình Giảm Giá Tiện Ích của Thành Phố Seattle (City of Seattle’s Utility Discount Program (UDP)), chương trình này giúp giảm 60% cho các hóa đơn của Seattle City Light và giảm 50% cho các hóa đơn của Seattle Public Utilities.

Để đủ điều kiện, thu nhập hộ gia đình trước thuế của quý vị phải bằng hoặc dưới 70% thu nhập trung bình của tiểu bang. (“thu nhập trung bình” được nhiều chương trình sử dụng để xác định điều kiện thu nhập. Vào năm 2021, một hộ gia đình bốn người có thể có thu nhập lên tới $5,996 cho mỗi tháng hoặc $71,952 cho cả năm trước thuế hoặc các khoản khấu trừ khác.)

Quy trình đăng ký UDP

• Hoàn thành mẫu đơn đăng ký trực tuyến tại trang web này.

Mẫu đơn đăng ký bằng tiếng Anh. Để được hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ, xin vui lòng gọi để nói chuyện với nhân viên trợ giúp.

• Đơn đăng ký của quý vị sẽ được xem xét và xử lý. Nếu đơn đăng ký của quý vị đáp ứng được các yêu cầu và điều kiện, hộ gia đình của quý vị sẽ được ghi danh.

Email hoặc thư phản hồi có thể bằng tiếng Anh.

• Số tiền giảm giá có thể mất đến hai chu kỳ thanh toán để xuất hiện trên các hóa đơn của quý vị.
• Những khách hàng được chấp thuận để nhận chương trình giảm giá sẽ cần phải gia hạn đơn đăng ký với tài liệu thu nhập sau sáu tháng kể từ ngày được chấp thuận.

Nếu quý vị nhận được một cuộc gọi, email và/hoặc bưu thiếp nói rằng quý vị cần liên hệ với văn phòng của chúng tôi để gia hạn đơn đăng ký của mình, xin vui lòng gọi số 206-684-0268 để nói chuyện với nhân viên trợ giúp. Dịch vụ thông dịch có sẵn. Quý vị không cần phải hoàn thành một mẫu đơn đăng ký trực tuyến khác.

Nếu quý vị có thắc mắc về cách đăng ký UDP hoặc muốn được hỗ trợ, hãy gọi hoặc gửi e-mail đến UDP@Seattle.gov. Nếu quý vị cần thông dịch viên, xin vui lòng yêu cầu thông dịch viên khi quý vị gọi, và vui lòng cho nhân viên tổng đài biết ngôn ngữ quý vị cần thông dịch. Có thể mất một chút thời gian chờ đợi để kết nối với thông dịch viên.

Quý vị có thể tìm thêm thông tin, bao gồm các yêu cầu chi tiết hơn về các điều kiện, trên trang web này: www.seattle.gov/UDP.

Thị Trưởng Jenny Durkan thông báo rằng Seattle City Light và Seattle Public Utilities sẽ tiếp tục duy trì các dịch vụ cho khách hàng trong suốt thời kỳ đại dịch, ngay cả khi khách hàng chậm trễ thanh toán hóa đơn. Khách hàng có thể thiết lập gói trả chậm bằng cách gọi số 206-684-3000 hoặc gửi email qua trang web này bất cứ lúc nào.

西雅圖市政府可以幫助您支付水電雜費

We're here to help.

COVID-19在很多方面影響了西雅圖的居民。許多人，包括老年人和家庭，由於失業而面臨困境。

西雅圖市政府可以幫助那些為支付水電雜費而掙扎的人。符合條件的家庭可以參加西雅圖市政府的公共設施折扣計劃 （UDP），該計劃對西雅圖電力公司（Seattle City Light）的電費帳單提供 60% 的折扣，對西雅圖公共事業局的帳單（Seattle Public Utilities）則提供 50% 的折扣。

要符合資格，您的稅前家庭收入必須相當於或低於本州收入中位數的70%。（許多計劃使用”收入中位數”數值來確定收入資格。在2021年，一個四人家庭每月的收入最多可達5,996美元，或在稅項或其他扣除額前年收入最多為71,952美元。）

UDP 申請流程

• 在此網站填寫網上報名表。

表格是英文的，如需翻譯，請致電客服。

• 您的申請將被審核和處理。 如果您的申請符合資格要求，您的家庭將可加入計劃。

回復的電子郵件或信件可能是英文的。

• 折扣可能需要最長兩個計費週期才會顯示在您的帳單上。

• 批准領取折扣的客戶需要在批准日期後的六個月通過提交收入文件來更新其申請。

如果您收到電話、電子郵件和/或卡片提示您需要聯繫我們的辦公室以更新您的申請，請致電 206-684-0268 與客服聯繫。提供口譯服務。您不需要填寫另一份網上申請表。

如果您對注冊UDP有疑問或需要幫助，請致電 206-684-0268 或發送電子郵件至UDP@Seatttle.gov 。如果您需要一名口譯員，請在致電時提出並告訴接線員您需要的語言。連接口譯員可能需稍等片刻。

您可以在此網頁上找到更多資訊， 包括更詳盡的資格要求：www.seattle.gov/UDP。

市長Jenny Durkan宣佈，在疫情期間即使客戶的帳單費用逾期，西雅圖電力公司和西雅圖公共事業局仍會繼續為其提供服務。客戶可致電206-684-3000或隨時透過本網站發送電子郵件來設立一個延期付款計劃。

시애틀 시가 전기 및 공공 요금 지불을 도와드립니다

We're here to help.

COVID-19는 여러 방면에서 시애틀 주민들에게 영향을 미쳐왔습니다. 노인들 및 가정들을 포함한 많은 분들이 실직으로 인해 힘든 시기를 겪고 있습니다.

시애틀 시는 전기 및 공공 요금 지불에 어려움을 겪고 있는 분들을 도와드릴 수 있습니다. 신청 자격이 있는 가구들은 시애틀 시의 공공 요금 할인 프로그램(City of Seattle’s Utility Discount Program, 이하 UDP)에 등록할 수 있으며, 이 프로그램은 시애틀 시 전기(Seattle City Light) 청구서에 대한 60 % 할인과 시애틀 공공요금(Seattle Public Utilities) 청구서에 대한 50 % 할인을 제공합니다.

신청 자격은, 세전 가계 소득이 워싱턴 주 중간 소득의 70% 이하여야 합니다. (“중간 소득-median income” 값은 소득 적격성을 결정하기 위해 많은 프로그램에서 사용됩니다. 2021년의 경우, 4인 가구의 중간 소득은 세금 또는 기타 공제 전 월 $5,996 이하 또는 연간 $71,952이하의 수입이 해당됩니다.)

UDP 신청 절차

• 이 웹 사이트에서 온라인 등록 양식을 작성합니다.

양식은 영문으로 되어 있습니다. 언어 지원을 원하시면 담당자에게 전화하여 문의하세요.

• 귀하의 신청서가 검토되고 처리될 것입니다. 귀하의 신청서가 자격 요건을 충족하는 경우, 귀하의 가구가 등록될 것입니다.

응답 이메일 또는 편지는 영문으로 작성될 수 있습니다.

• 해당 할인이 귀하의 청구서에 반영되기까지 최대2회의 청구 주기가 소요될 수 있습니다.
• 해당 할인을 받도록 승인된 고객은 승인일로부터 6개월 후에 소득 증빙서류를 제출해 신청서를 갱신해야 합니다.

귀하의 신청서를 갱신하기 위해 당국으로 연락해야 한다는 전화, 이메일 및/또는 엽서를 받는 경우, 206-684-0268로 전화하여 담당자와 통화하시기 바랍니다. 통역 서비스를 이용하실 수 있습니다. 또 다른 온라인 신청 양식을 작성할 필요는 없습니다.

UDP 등록에 대해 문의사항이 있거나 도움이 필요하시면, 전화나 이메일(UDP@Seatttle.gov)로 문의해 주십시오. 통역이 필요하신 경우, 전화하실 때 요청하시고, 어떤 언어의 통역이 필요하신지 교환원에게 말씀해 주시기 바랍니다. 통역사와 연결되는 데 약간의 대기 시간이 있을 수 있습니다.

다음 웹페이지에서 자세한 자격 요건 등의 추가 정보를 확인하실 수 있습니다: www.seattle.gov/UDP

Jenny Durkan 시장은 시애틀 시 전기(Seattle City Light) 및 시애틀 공공요금(Seattle Public Utilities)은 대유행 기간 동안 고객들의 청구서 지불이 연체된다 하더라도 고객을 위한 서비스를 계속 제공할 것이라고 발표했습니다. 고객분들께서는 206-684-3000으로 전화하시거나 언제든지 이 웹 사이트를 통해 이메일을 보내셔서 지불 연기 계획을 설정하실 수 있습니다.

Magaalada Seattle waxay kaa caawin kartaa bixinta biilashaada korontada

We're here to help.

COVID-19 siyaabo badan ayuu u saameeyay dadka degan Seattle. Dad badan, oo ay ku jiraan dadka waaweyn iyo qoysaska, ayaa wajahaya waqtiyo adag shaqo la’aan darteed.

Magaalada Seattle waxay caawin kartaa dadka la halgamaya in ay iska bixiyaan biilasha korontada, biyaha iyo gaaska. Qoysaska u-qalma ayaa iska qori kara Barnaamijka Sicir-dhimista Adeegyada ee Magaalada Seattle (UDP), oo bixisa qiimo-dhimis 60% ah oo ku saabsan biilasha Seattle City Light iyo qiimo-dhimista 50% ee biilasha Adeegyada Dadweynaha ee Seattle.

Si aad xaq ugu yeelatid, dakhligaaga canshuurta kahor ee qoyska waa inuu noqdaa ama ka hooseeya 70% dakhliga dhexdhexaadka ee gobolka.(Qiyaasta “dakhliga dhexdhexaadka ah” waxaa adeegsada barnaamijyo badan si loo go’aamiyo u-qalmitaanka dakhliga. Sanadka 2021, qoys afar qof ah waxaa laga yaabaa inuu kasbado illaa $ 5,996 bishiiba ama sanadkiiba $ 71,952 canshuuraha ka hor ama waxyaabaha kale ee laga gooyo.)

Nidaamka codsiga UDP

• Dhameystir foomka isqorista internetka ee boggaan.

Foomku wuxuu ku qoran yahay Ingiriis. Taageerada luqadeed hadada u baahantahay, fadlan wac si aad ula hadashid wakiil.

• Codsigaaga dib ayaa loo eegi doonaa oo looga baaraandegi doonaa. Haddii dalabkaagu buuxiyo shuruudaha u-qalmitaanka, qoyskaaga ayaa la qori doonaa

E-maylka jawaabta ama warqadda waxay noqon kartaa Ingiriis.

• Sicir-dhimistu waxay qaadan kartaa ilaa laba wareeg oo biil ah si ay uga muuqdaan biilashaada.
• Macaamiisha loo oggolaaday helitaanka qiime dhimista waxay u baahan doonaan inay ku cusboonaysiiyaan codsigooda dukumiintiyada dakhliga lix bilood ka dib taariikhda oggolaanshahooda

Haddii aad hesho wicitaan, emayl iyo / ama kaarka boosta oo sheegaya inaad u baahan tahay inaad la xiriirto xafiiskayaga si aad u cusboonaysiiso dalabkaaga, fadlan wac 206-684-0268 si aad ula hadasho wakiil. Adeegyada turjubaanka ayaa la heli karaa. Uma baahnid inaad buuxiso foom kale oo codsi khadka tooska ah ah.

Haddii aad qabtid su’aalo ku saabsan diiwaangelinta UDP ama aad rabto caawimaad, wac ama emayl u soo dir UDP@Seatttle.gov. Haddii aad u baahan tahay turjubaan, fadlan weydiiso mid markii aad soo wacdo, fadlan u sheeg hawl wadeenka luqadda aad ugu baahan tahay turjumaadda. Waxaa jiri kara waqti sugid yar ee lagula xiriirinayo turjubaanka.

Waxaad ka heli kartaa macluumaad dheeri ah, oo ay ku jiraan shuruudaha u qalmitaanka oo faahfaahsan, boggan: www.seattle.gov/UDP

Duqa magaalada Jenny Durkan ayaa ku dhawaaqay in Seattle City Light iyo Adeegyada Dadweynaha ee Seattle ay ku sii hayn doonaan adeegyada macaamiisha, xitaa haddii ay ka dib dhacaan bixinta biilashooda, inta lagu jiro aafada. Macaamiisha waxay dejin karaan qorshe lacag bixin dib loo dhigay iyagoo wacaya 206-684-3000 ama adoo u diraya emayl shabakadan wakhti kasta.

የስያትል ከተማ የኤልክትሪክና የውሃ ግልጋሎት ክፍያዎን ለመክፈል ሊረዳዎት ይችላል።

We're here to help.

ኮቪድ-19 በብዙ መንገዶች የስያትል ነዋሪዎችን ጎድቷል። በርካታ ሰዎች በዕድሜ የገፉ አዋቂዎችና ቤተሰቦች ጭምር በሥራ ዕጦት ምክንያት ከባድ የኑሮ ወቅት እየተጋፈጡ ነዉ።

የስያትል ከተማ የኤልክትሪክና የግልጋሎት ክፍያዎችን ለመክፈል የከበዳቸዉን ሰዎች መርዳት ይችላል። ብቁ የሆኑ ነዋሪዎች፡ በስያትል መብራት ሃይልና (Electricity) በስያትል ህዝባዊ ግልጋሎት (Utilities) ክፍያዎች ላይ የ50% ቅናሽ በሚሰጠዉ የስያትል ግልጋሎት ቅናሽ መርሃግብር [ City of Seattle’s Utility Discount Program (UDP)] መመዝገብ ይችላሉ።

ብቁ ለመሆን የቤተሰብዎ ከቀረጥ በፊት ገቢ ከስቴቱ መካከለኛ ገቢ 70% ያህል ወይንም በታች መሆን አለበት። (የ“median income” መጠን በበርካታ መርሃግብሮች ላይ የገቢ ብቁነትን ለመወሰን ጥቅም ላይ ይዉላል። በ 2021፡ አራት ሰዉ ያለበት ቤተሰብ ከቀረጥና ሌሎች ቅናሾች በፊት እስከ $5,996 ድረስ በወር ወይንም $71,952 ዓመታዊ ገቢ ሊኖረዉ ይችላል።)

የ UDP ማመልከቻ ሂደት

• የ ኦንላይን መመዝገቢያ ቅጽ እዚህ ድህረ-ገጽ ላይ ይሙሉ።

ይህ ቅጽ በእንግሊዘኛ ነዉ። ለቋንቋ ድጋፍ እባክዎን ተወካይ ለማነጋገር ይደዉሉ።

• ማመልከቻዎ ታይቶ ዉሳኔ ይሰጥበታል። ማመልከቻዎ የብቁነት መስፈርቶችን የሚያሟላ ከሆነ ቤተሰብዎ ይመዘገባል።

የመልስ ኢሜል ወይንም ደብዳቤ በእንግሊዘኛ ይሆናል።

• ቅናሹ ክፍያዎችዎ ላይ እስኪታይ እስከ ሁለት የክፍያ ዙሮች ሊወስድ ይችላል።
• ቅናሹን እንዲያገኙ የጸደቀላቸዉ ደንበኞች ከጸደቀላቸዉ ቀን በኋላ በስድስት ወር የገቢ ሰነድ አቅርበዉ ማመልከቻቸዉን ማሳደስ አለባቸዉ።

ማመልከቻዎን ለማሳደስ ቢሮያችን መገናኘት እንዳለብዎት የሚገልጽ የስልክ ጥሪ፣ ኢሜል እና/ወይም ፖስትካርድ ከተቀበሉ እባክዎን ከተወካይ ጋር ለመነጋገር 206-684-0268 ይደዉሉ። የትርጉም አገልግሎት አለ። ሌላ የኦንላይን ማመልከቻ መሙላት አያስፈልግዎትም።

ስለ UDP ምዝገባ ጥያቄዎች ካለዎት ወይም እርዳታ ከፈለጉ ይደዉሉ ወይም በ UDP@Seatttle.gov ኢሜል ያርጉ። አስተርጓሚ ከፈለጉ እባክዎን ሲደዉሉ ያሳውቁ እና እባክዎን ለየትኛዉ ቋንቋ አስተርጓሚ እንደሚፈልጉ ለኦፕሬተር ይንገሩ። አስተርጓሚ እስኪቀርብ ትንሽ መጠበቅ ይኖርብዎት ይሆናል።

ስለብቁነት ዝርዝር መስፈርቶችን የሚያካትት ተጨማሪ መረጃ ከዚህ ድህረ-ገጽ ማግኘት ይችላሉ፡ www.seattle.gov/UDP

ምንም እንኳን ደንበኞች የሚጠበቅባቸውን ክፍያ ከመክፈል ወደ ኋላ ቀርተዉ ቢሆንም፡ የስያትል መብራት ሃይልና (Electric)፡ የስያትል ፓብሊክ ዩቲሊቲስ (ውሃ) ወረርሽኙ እስካለ ድረስ አገልግሎቶቻቸዉን ለደንበኞች ክፍት እንደሚያደርጉ፡ ከንቲባ ጄኒ ደርኪን አሳውቋል፡ ደንበኞች በቆይታ የመክፈል ዕቅድ በ 206-684-3000 በመደወል ወይም በዚህ ድህረ-ገጽ ኢሜል በመላክ ማሰናዳት ይችላሉ።

City of Seattle and United Way of King County Partner on Community Food Fund

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Seattle Human Services is partnering with United Way of King County to address food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Food Fund invests $1M to support food access among Black, Indigenous and other people of color, as well as immigrant and refugee communities.

27 local organizations across Seattle received funds for a variety of strategies, such as food delivery, culturally appropriate meals for seniors, pop-up food sites, a new greenhouse, cold storage, and collaborations with ethnic restaurants to get hot meals to vulnerable communities. They included both small and large community-based organizations, including the Black Farmers Collective, Casa Latina, Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle, Hip Hop is Green, Queer the Land, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, and Urban Fresh Food Collective.

Funding comes from the federal CARES Act received by the City of Seattle, and from United Way’s Community Relief Fund. Grants run through the end of the year. See United Way’s recent blog post “Overcoming Cultural Barriers During the Pandemic” for more information and read about the impact of this funding on the Afghan Health Initiative.

HSD Announces Investments in Single Adult Shelter Surge Hotel Buildings & RRH Supportive Services

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The Homeless Strategy & Investment (HSI) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the availability of two Request for Qualification (RFQ) processes:

1) The 2020 Shelter Surge RFQ will identify eligible homeless services agencies to operate and provide supportive services at approximately 425 new single adult emergency shelter spaces. Beginning in December 2020, HSD expects to have access to approximately 300 temporary shelter units located at leased hotel properties and 125 units of new enhanced shelter spaces. Through this RFQ process HSD is also identifying agencies to support the possible expansion of the tiny house village program in FY 2021.

2) The 2020 Street to Housing ESG-CV Rapid Rehousing RFQ will select one service provider to provide program enrollment and support to participants at the single adult shelter surge hotel buildings. This intentional linkage of shelter to Rapid Rehousing programming is designed to produce faster and more successful exits to permanent housing. The onsite Rapid Rehousing provider will focus on identifying housing options, move-in and rental assistance, and case management services and supports. HSD estimates that through an expedited process approximately 231 households will be enrolled into Emergency Solutions Grant – Coronavirus (ESG-CV) funded Rapid Rehousing program.

Visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities web page for more information on these two RFQs and to download materials. Please contact Lisa Gustaveson, Strategic Advisor at lisa.gustaveson@seattle.gov or (206) 482-4573 with any questions.

Legacy of Love: A Virtual Forum for African American Caregivers and Others

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Irene Stewart – irene.stewart@seattle.gov

Event Graphic

Are you a caregiver? If so, you are welcome to join Legacy of Love, an online forum on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. While focused on African American caregivers, the event is open to anyone who provides special care for an elder.

“Caregiving for loved ones is always challenging, which is why we sponsor this annual recognition and appreciation of family caregivers who manage health emergencies and juggle ever-changing priorities,” said Seattle Human Services director Jason Johnson. “This year’s theme—Caregiving in the Time of COVID—emphasizes the unique challenges that caregivers have faced in 2020 and will continue to face in the coming year.”

“The pandemic has brought even more challenges, including greater social isolation and—for too many—enormous grief created by the loss of so many African American elders due to COVID-19,” adds conference coordinator Karen Winston, a planner in Seattle Human Services’ Aging and Disability Services division. “Our forum gives participants time to revive, refresh, and connect with others.”

Keynote speaker George Dicks, a Geriatrics Mental Health Practitioner at Harborview Medical Center, will address “Caregiver Hope, Love, and Resiliency.” A panel of family caregivers—Lynda Greene, Minister Shirley Poston, and Charles Williams—will share their stories in “Caregivers: Loving from the Front Line During a Pandemic.” For more information, visit AgingKingCounty.org/LegacyOfLove. 

There is no charge to participate in the forum; however, pre-registration is recommended and is now open at SurveyMonkey.com/r/LegacyOfLoveRegistration.

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Seattle Youth Employment Program Wraps an Unusual Summer

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*A shortened version of this article previously appeared in the October edition of HSD’s monthly Lifelines newsletter. Click here to subscribe now.

When the Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) launched its new academic year program model last year, certainly no one could have predicted that a worldwide pandemic would impact the best laid plans of staff members.

Beginning last October, participants attended weekly sessions and career discovery days, and participated in team activities, skills workshops, one-on-one coaching and support services, and assessments. Youth participants could earn a maximum stipend of $300 per quarter; and those who completed the series were eligible for a 150-hour internship paying $16 per hour in the summer of 2020.

Then COVID-19 came along. SYEP had to quickly adapt to a world where academic learning happens online and students and workers train and interact with each other virtually—utilizing laptops, cell phones, and Microsoft Teams and other social software apps.

Image of Betty

Betty Gebrejawaria was in the school year program. She learned job readiness skills like writing a resume and cover letter and how to prepare for an interview. “As a high school student, I found this really helpful because these are the years where I start to join the job field and SYEP helped me land my first internship,” she shared.

She was chosen as an intern with SYEP, helping to run the annual summer program, which operated as a virtual classroom for participants. She helped provide program support like taking attendance during the job trainings and setting up and running the virtual sessions. “The virtual environment was very new for many people like myself,” said Betty. “Although we encountered many technical issues, everyone was really patient, very kind, and helpful. And everyone’s optimistic attitude really impacted how smooth the program went. I wouldn’t change a thing. It was all last minute, but the program was successful.”

“Participating in the virtual SYEP program over the summer was exciting,” agreed SYEP participant Kidus Solomon. “The staff put together very informative and well-designed presentations that helped me stay engaged and interested on the topics. It’s just a well-designed program to help you succeed.”

Among the many positive impacts on his life so far, Kidus says SYEP helped him create his first resume, which he then used to apply for a job in the middle of the pandemic.

For SYEP intern Calvin Fung, one of the positive impacts this summer was that the job helped him to establish a schedule and have a reason to wake up and feel valuable. “You know, usually you are getting paid for contributing, helping out, providing your insight. And how a young person thinks.” He thinks it is really important that youth serve as interns along with the adult mentors to program participants. He believes they have a special effect, because there’s a difference between “an adult speaking to you, as compared to a young person speaking to another young person.”

Meeting regularly with both assigned counselors and peers helped Gheeda Hamam keep a check on her hours and her progress with the program. Counselors were very helpful with providing resources and assistance. They were also great at being responsive to her emails and helped her stay on track with accessing links and using chat.

She feels that “SYEP has taught me to learn soft skills such as time management, conflict resolution, team building, and communication. And it also taught me skills like resume building and creating the accounts for LinkedIn and NeoGov.” (NeoGov is the online job application platform used by the City of Seattle and several other government and public agencies in the area for their hiring processes.)

Leland Adams is also a previous SYEP participant who landed a summer internship helping to support the program, which he said “taught me a bunch about virtual platforms, which I’m very grateful for because moving forward in I think a lot of people’s careers, and education as well, we will be using those virtual platforms.”

In the virtual SYEP setting, the interns had to become comfortable communicating with managers and peers, as well as with the summer students. The students needed to understand what was expected of them online in the virtual session instead of an office internship and what SYEP expected for them to get out of the program. “And so, just working through and communicating a lot because this was the pilot program to everything that we were doing,” said Leland. “We were pretty much setting the foundation for everything that this program was going to be, and everything that it could become in the future.”

When asked what some of the positives and the negatives were about not being able to be in person with participants, Leland really saw the positives. “I feel like I gained a new skill set, right? Being able to work from home. Because I think that’s something in the future that we’re going to be seeing a lot of, and just being able to work on projects online …. Not everybody is going to be able to access the office in the future.”

Gheeda nodded as he was speaking, and added that “being able to finish a project online is a really good skill because you have to be independent and kind of just go off from the instructions that were given online.” That’s not something that’s easy to do, but she believes it will also be an increasingly important ability in the future, where assistance isn’t just on the other side of a cubicle wall or elsewhere in a physical office.

I feel like I gained a new skill set, right? Being able to work from home. Because I think that’s something in the future that we’re going to be seeing a lot of, and just being able to work on projects online …. Not everybody is going to be able to access the office in the future.

Leland Adams, SYEP Summer Intern

For many office workers prior to this global pandemic, while resume writing and interviewing skills were important to learn as they started out, it was equally as important to focus on dressing for an office environment, planning a commute, and showing up on time. Our current state may be, unexpectedly, really preparing these youth for a future where they may be on a team with people who are in Seattle, Europe, India, and Australia and all coming in at different times, and working on projects together, and leaving things in the chat box for someone to pick up when they start their day. Many of the tech jobs in our area already look like this. So there are lots of skills that SYEP is having to build into the program now, but that are actually going to be much more valuable as the workplace continues to change.

When asked about how SYEP has had a positive impact on his life, Leland said it’s really helped him to grow his networks while being a student at the University of Washington. It’s helped him to feel more confident, and “hopefully that opens some doors for me in the future.”

SYEP staff are happy to report that his hopes may have been realized, as Leland recently accepted another internship position with the King County Department of Human Resources, where he will support the development of a new job readiness program. This program seeks to establish pathways of employment for young men of color, specifically black men in high school and college.

#DVAM Purple Pumpkins

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October may be coming to a close, but the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault works to raise awareness all year long.

With our decision this year to use the Halloween Week social media campaign originally developed by the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV), we wanted to make sure to end the month by highlighting this statewide network of domestic violence programs, survivors, and allies which works tirelessly to help survivors towards safety and freedom.

Please visit the WSCADV website to learn more about domestic violence and to access a resource library, policy and research, and much more.

As part of our campaign this week, and to take advantage of a rare fifth #PurpleThursday, our staff and friends at Seattle Human Services decided to join with some other DV awareness programs around the country this year in also promoting a Purple Pumpkin decorating challenge. Here are some of the results.

With a couple of days still left in October, and with many of us at home with limited opportunities to celebrate the holiday, why don’t you take a “stab” at carving or painting your own Purple Pumpkin and tagging @SeattleHSD and #DVAM2020 for a last chance to raise awareness.

LGBTQ+2S & BIPOC: Vaccinations, Vaccine Trials, and YOU

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Age Friendly Seattle is hosting an online panel presentation geared to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or two-spirit (LGBTQ+2S) and Black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC). 

“LGBTQ+2S & BIPOC: Vaccinations, Vaccine Trials, and YOU” is a live panel presentation that will take place on Friday, Oct. 30, from 2:00–3:30 p.m. At event time, log on to bit.ly/AgeFriendlyLive. No registration or log-in is required. A phone-in option is also available.

“According to a 2019 FDA report on drug trial demographics, current enrollment of BIPOC participants lags behind the general population,” said Age Friendly Seattle program manager Brent Butler, who will moderate the panel discussion. “We also know that LGBTQ+2S people experience significant disparities in health and health care. See Stanford University’s Pride Study and the University of Washington’s Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging and Sexuality/Gender Study.” 

The October 30 panel presentation will support enrollment in research studies among the populations disproportionately impacted. Panelists include:

To view two previous LGBTQ+2S panel presentations, visit YouTube.com/c/AgingKingCounty. The Oct. 30 event will also be video-recorded—available on the same site after the event.

The Oct. 30 event is free and open to the public. LGBTQ+2S youth are welcome and encouraged to attend this virtual event.  

For more information, visit Seattle.gov/AgeFriendly or e-mail agefriendly@seattle.gov.

Event flyer with speaker photos
Click above to download event flyer

#PurpleThursday2020

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Will YOU join us in raising awareness about domestic violence by participating in #PugetSoundPurpleThursday? 💜 Wear purple, change your background, or share a personal story if you’re comfortable, and post with the hashtag above and #PurpleThursday2020 or #DVAM2020.

HSD’s External Affairs Team

The Human Services Department’s (HSD) Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA) 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. 

HSD’s Senior Leadership Team

In recent years, an additional day for raising awareness on social media–Purple Thursday–was declared for the 4th Thursday of the month. As a day dedicated to visibly showing your support for survivors and for ending domestic violence, everyone is asked to wear something purple, change their social media backgrounds, or share a personal story. By posting to social media with the hashtags, everyone can raise awareness of the issue by driving users online to hotline numbers for support, statistics about how domestic violence damages communities, and stories of survival.

MODVSA staff member, Sabrina Budner

As the awareness day has spread, many supporters have increasingly tied the day to the Halloween holiday at the end of the month. Some advocacy groups have also highlighted taglines that further emphasize the themes–such as reminders that “relationships should be fun, not scary,” “relationships should be a treat, not a trick,” and “romance isn’t supposed to be creepy.”

(Watch the Seattle Human Services social media feeds next week for a great campaign first designed by our partners at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence!)

Age Friendly Seattle staff member, Lenny Orlov

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.

Join us right now in helping raise awareness and get the word out. And let people in your community know about The National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1.800.799-SAFE (7233) / TTY 1.800.787.3224

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.

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.