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HSD Announces Results of the 2019 YFE Safety RFP

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The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 YFE Safety: Addressing Impacts of the Criminal Legal System Request for Proposals (RFP) that closed on June 13. Applicants were invited to provide systems navigation and address trauma for 18 to 24-year-old people harmed by the criminal legal system in Seattle. The RFP guides the investment of more than $4 million in HSD General Fund dollars for the January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 contract period.

HSD received 24 eligible applications from organizations reviewed by a committee whose members represented and worked with the focus and priority populations of this RFP. Reviewers also had content expertise addressing the impacts of the criminal legal system in the City of Seattle, King County, and Washington State. Raters were age, gender, and ethnically diverse and represented multiple cultures and communities: Black, African American, Native, Black/Mexican, Black (mixed), Brown (mix), South Asian, Asian/Filipino, Asian, African American/Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Hispanic/Latino, LGBTQ, bilingual, and white. 

HSD and the review committee recommended funding 14 proposals from the following applicants:

  • African American Leadership Forum
  • CHOOSE 180
  • Community Passageways
  • Consejo Counseling and Referral Service
  • Freedom Project
  • POCAAN
  • Progress Pushers
  • Public Defender Association
  • ROOTS Young Adult Shelter
  • Somali Family Safety Task Force
  • Southwest Youth and Family Services
  • Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
  • Walk Away City Collaborative
  • YMCA of Greater Seattle – Accelerator

The funding will support a number of activities such as healing and accountability circles for incarcerated men and trans women; leadership training for community leaders directly impacted by systems of violence; training on nonviolent communication, mindfulness, and racial equity; peer support programs and family-integrated transitions; peacemaking circles; and felony diversion for a diverse range of communities in Seattle.

Student Orientations and Dorm Life the Next Step for Upward Bound 2019 Grads!

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New student orientations on college campuses are nearly finished as many students across the nation prepare to start their college campus lives. Upward Bound will have 23 graduating seniors this year heading to a wide variety of post-secondary schools in Washington State: including University of Washington, Seattle University, Western State University, Eastern Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, and Bellevue College.

I think orientation is something all incoming freshmen should do because it allows them to view the campus and their future dorm, as well as shows the students who they will be going to school with.

2019 Garfield graduate Khabirah had selected Eastern Washington University as her school, but she wasn’t sure about attending student orientation.  Fortunately, her Upward Bound counselor strongly encouraged her to attend and ultimately, she was able to go.  Smooth transitions to campus life can play an important role in a student’s success.  Being oriented to dorm life, the idea of roommates, campus resources, etc. is all part of it.  As Khabirah said after her orientation last week, “I think orientation is something allincoming freshmen should do because it allows them to view the campus and their future dorm, as well as shows the students who they will be going to school with.” 

Photograph showing a page from Carleton's freshman welcome brochure showing a picture of Hermela along with a brief bio paragraph.
Click to view larger image

One student, Hermela, has participated in Upward Bound from 9th grade through to high school graduation. With program guidance, she earned a full-ride scholarship to Carlton College in Minnesota. She also received a Seattle School District Scholarship of $3,500. Hermela was highlighted in Carleton’s brochure as an incoming freshman.

Seeing Upward Bound graduates go off to college is exciting and bittersweet.  She recently shared that, “Upward Bound is like my second family.  From the start of freshman year to now, they have always been there for me, whether it was to celebrate or to comfort.” We will miss Hermela, but we look forward to hearing about the continued personal journey of all our graduates!

HSD Announces Results of the 2019 Farm to Preschool and Out-of-School Time RFP

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Close-up image of child washing fresh snap peas.

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 Farm to Preschool and Out-of-School Time Request for Proposals (RFP) that closed on July 1. Applicants were invited to support food procurement, food equity, and connections between Washington State farmers and Seattle public preschools and before and after school programs serving low-income children and families in Seattle. The RFP guides the investment of more than $200,000, including funding from Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT).

HSD received a single application which was reviewed by a committee whose members recommended fully funding the proposal from Farmstand Local Foods, which has a strong background in implementing a food ordering and delivery program that provides affordable, nutritious, and wholesome produce from farm to preschool and OST programs.

They have worked closely with local small-scale farmers and are responsive to their needs. The rating committee feels they have staff with experience and capacity to successfully:

  • Conduct food procurement
  • Provide nutrition education
  • Build partnerships
  • Convene a group of stakeholders
  • Work with local farms

“It is a true pleasure to spearhead this work and help bring local youth better access to our region’s beautiful and nutritious agricultural bounty. Very much looking forward to another year of advancing this worthy mission with the City of Seattle. A sincere thank you for the continued opportunity!”

Austin Becker, Farmstand Local Foods Manager

Farmstand Local Foods currently runs a Farm-to-Table program with funding from the SBT, which makes grant funds available to site directors and cooks at childcare centers and allows them to purchase and prepare locally grown food for children in the Seattle area. They are also starting to work with local food banks.

Close-up image on many small bowls of soup on a table with a child's hand taking a spoon and bowl.

“We drastically reduce the distance between Seattle’s innovative community of chefs and wholesale purchasers and the farmers from who they source product by creating an efficient sales channel for our city’s surrounding farms,” Farmstand Local Foods proudly proclaims on their website. “We partner with local small-scale producers who are committed to using regenerative practices, and buyers who strive to make conscious decisions about where they source their ingredients. We offer in-field experiences for foodservice professionals and retailers and provide insight to our growers about demand trends in the culinary industry.”

Ultimately, they believe in helping to establish an economically and environmentally sustainable food system by facilitating and maintaining connections between producers and consumers to demonstrate the value and importance of viable local farms.

Aging and Disability Services receives national achievement award

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The Seattle Human Services Department announced today that its Aging and Disability Services division—which is designated by the State of Washington as the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle-King County—and its Age Friendly Seattle team have been honored with a National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) 2019 Aging Achievement Award in recognition of their efforts to promote accessible events and meetings.

Irene Stewart and Andrea Yip accepted the n4a 2019 Aging Achievement Award on behalf of Aging and Disability Services and Age Friendly Seattle.
Irene Stewart and Andrea Yip accepted the n4a 2019 Aging Achievement Award on behalf of Aging and Disability Services and Age Friendly Seattle.

Age Friendly Seattle Accessible Events & Meetings was among 48 local aging programs to receive honors at the n4a annual conference, held July 27–31 in New Orleans, and the only one to win in the Community Planning & Livable Communities category. Age Friendly Seattle produced a 40-page Community Guide to Accessible Events & Meetings (a free download) and has coordinated and presented trainings locally and at national conferences. The most recent was a public forum at Seattle City Hall on May 30 called “How to Plan An Accessible Event,” presented by individuals with disabilities (view on The Seattle Channel or YouTube).

“n4a is thrilled to present the Aging Innovation and Achievement Awards to a diverse and talented group of Area Agencies on Aging,” said Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer of n4a. “The work the AAAs have done to deliver innovative and successful programs in their communities is remarkable.”

“Our Aging and Disability Services division, through our Age Friendly Seattle initiative, has put new energy into making events welcoming and inclusive,” said Jason Johnson, director of the Seattle Human Services Department. “Across City departments and among community-based organizations, we’re far more aware now of ways to help people with disabilities have a comparable event or meeting experience to those who do not have hearing or vision loss or physical or cognitive challenges.”

“Age Friendly Seattle is an initiative to make Seattle a great place to grow up and grow old,” Johnson continued. “With approximately one-quarter of the population reporting some form of disability, an age-friendly community must be disability-friendly, too.” For more information about Age Friendly Seattle, visit www.Seattle.gov/AgeFriendly.

N4a’s primary mission is to build the capacity of its members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For more information, visit www.n4a.org.

HSD Announces Results of the 2019 Food and Nutrition Part I RFP

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The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 Food and Nutrition Part I Request for Proposals (RFP) that closed on April 11. Applicants were invited to provide food and support the system of food delivery to low-income individuals and families in Seattle who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, hunger. The RFP guides the investment of more than $4 million of funding in Seattle’s Emergency Food System through two strategies – Food Security & Access and Food System Support.

HSD received 33 eligible applications from organizations that were invited to apply to one or both strategies. These were reviewed by committees whose members represented, and worked with, focus and priority populations. Reviewers also had content expertise with the emergency feeding system in Seattle and King County. Reviewers were age, gender and ethnically diverse and represented multiple cultures and communities: African, African American, Asian, Latinx, LGBTQ, Native American, Immigrant, and white.

The committees recommended 14 agencies receive funding, ranging between $80,000 and $305,590, to support food banks:

  • Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)
  • Ballard Food Bank
  • Byrd Barr Place
  • El Centro de la Raza
  • Family Works
  • Food Bank at St Mary’s
  • Jewish Family Service
  • North Helpline
  • Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank
  • Puget Sound Labor Agency
  • Rainier Valley Food Bank
  • Seattle Indian Center
  • University District Service League
  • West Seattle Food Bank

The funding will support a number of efforts such as increasing food bank capacity, expansion of home delivery programs, backpack programs, and community connector services for a diverse range of communities in Seattle.

The committees also recommended 7 agencies receive funding, ranging between $35,000 and $100,000, to support meal programs:

  • Community House Mental Health Agency
  • Community Lunch on Capitol Hill
  • FareStart
  • Mary’s Place
  • Phinney Neighborhood Association
  • Recovery Cafe
  • Sound Generations

In addition to meal programs, the funding will also support job training in meal preparation and culinary arts for low income adults, a program which involves clients in designing the menus, and increased emphasis on nutrient-rich and culturally appropriate meals for diverse communities in Seattle.

The committees also recommended 7 agencies receive funding, ranging between $52,485 and $310,569, for food systems support and enhancement:

  • Backpack Brigade
  • Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County
  • Hunger Intervention Program (HIP)
  • Lifelong
  • Mercy Housing Northwest
  • Operation Sack Lunch (OSL)
  • Solid Ground Washington

Free summer meal program for youth starts July 1st

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Thousands of Seattle children ages 1 through 18 years will enjoy free breakfasts, lunches, and snacks this summer through the City of Seattle Human Services Department’s (HSD) Summer Food Service Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and was formerly known as “Summer Sack Lunch.”

From July 1 through August 23, 2019, free meals will be served at approximately 125 programs across 115 sites around Seattle. The Summer Food Service Program will be open to children at designated Seattle Public Schools, community centers, Seattle Parks playgrounds, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and YWCAs, Seattle Public Library branches, and other sites throughout Seattle and parts of King County.

“Children and youth need access to healthy, nutritious food year-round to help them learn, play, and grow including the summer when school year resources are not available.”

“Children and youth need access to healthy, nutritious food year-round to help them learn, play, and grow including the summer when school year resources are not available,” said Jason Johnson, Interim Director of HSD. “The Summer Food Service Program meets this critical need and allows us to partner with community organizations across Seattle in pursuing HSD’s mission to support Healthy Communities, Healthy Families.”

Meals open to public: About 100 of the sites will be open to the public and all children 18 and under can come to have a meal. Open sites serve all youth regardless of their household income, race, national origin, citizenship/immigration status, gender identity/presentation, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and all other protected classes.

Meals for children enrolled in programs: About 20 of the sites will serve children enrolled in specific activity programs, providing free meals to all children enrolled in the program. To qualify, 50 percent or more of the children enrolled in the program must be from families that are at or below the following income levels:

Household Size Yearly Income Monthly Income Twice Per Month Every Two Weeks Weekly Income
1 $23,107 $1,926 $963 $889 $445
2 31,284 2,607 1,304 1,204 602
3 39,461 3,289 1,645 1,518 759
4 47,638 3,970 1,985 1,833 917
5 55,815 4,652 2,326 2,147 1,074
6 63,992 5,333 2,667 2,462 1,231
7 72,169 6,015 3,008 2,776 1,388
8 80,346 6,696 3,348 3,091 1,546
Each additional family member: +8,177 +682 +341 +315 +158

For a complete list of sites and hours for the Summer Food Service Program, please call 206-386-1140 or visit www.seattle.gov/summerfood. To locate a site near you, text “Food” or “Comida” to 877-877

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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Funding for this program is provided in part by the City of Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax.

HSD Announces 2019 Farm to Preschool and OST RFQ Funding Opportunity — Extended Deadline!

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UPDATE: The application submission deadline for this funding opportunity has been extended to Monday, July 1, 2019 by 4:00 p.m. and a second information session has been scheduled as a Webinar for Friday, June 21, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in supporting food procurement, food equity, and connections between Washington State farmers and Seattle public preschools and before and after school programs serving low-income children and families in Seattle.

This Farm to Preschool and Out-of-School Time (OST) RFQ is focused on building an equitable food system between farmers and preschool and before- and after-school programs. This RFQ will fund a lead agency that will support farmers (producers) to sell, and preschool and before- and after-school programs (consumers) to buy affordable, nutritious, culturally appropriate food and build long-term relationships. This lead agency will focus on two bodies of work:

  • Food Procurement: Assist participating preschools and OST programs in purchasing affordable, nutritious, culturally appropriate food from local farmers, farmers of color, and immigrant and refugee farmers.
  • 2020 Program Design Process: The selected agency will convene and facilitate a group of stakeholders for the program’s 2020 Farm to Preschool and OST design process, in partnership with HSD YFE. With funding from Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT), the 2020 design process will gather community input from Farm to Preschool and OST participants to create a sustainable, community-centered, program model to implement in 2021 and beyond.

Approximately $233,612.00 is available through this RFQ. HSD intends to fund one (1) applicant. Initial awards will be made for the period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. While it is the City’s intention to renew agreements resulting from this funding opportunity on an annual basis through the 2023 calendar year, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability.

The City of Seattle Human Services Department seeks to contract with a lead agency to help ensure the result of HSD’s Farm to Preschool and Out-of-School Time investment results is that all people living in Seattle can meet their basic needs.

If you have any questions about the 2019 Farm to Preschool and OST RFQ please contact the RFQ Coordinator: Jules.Posadas@Seattle.gov or (206)684-5296. Click here to view more information and download application materials.

HSD Announces Results of the 2019 Food Access Opportunity Fund RFP

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The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 Food Access Opportunity Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) that closed on March 6. Applicants were invited to improve healthy food access by investing in community-based projects designed and led by the people most impacted by race, social, health, and environmental injustices.

The RFP guides the investment of $800,000 from the Food Access Opportunity Fund. This funding is provided by the City of Seattle’s Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) — established by City Council (Ordinance 125324) — and aligns with the SBT Community Advisory Board’s (CAB) Operating Principles:

  • Priority populations – Projects and activities should focus on reaching communities of color, immigrants, refugees, people with low income, youth and young adults, and English language learners.
  • Place-based focus areas – Projects and activities should be located in areas where communities of color, immigrants, refugees, people with low income, and English language learners live, work, play, worship or go to school.
  • Community-driven – Projects and activities should be led by community-based organizations with continuous connections to the focus population or community.
  • Culturally-responsive – Projects and activities should be culturally responsive and delivered in ways that are accessible and comfortable for the focus population or community.
  • Prevention-oriented – Projects and activities should focus on health equity by preventing sugary drink consumption and educating people about the chronic conditions caused by sugary drinks.

HSD received 24 eligible applications that were reviewed by a committee whose members have experience with food systems and food equity, as well as working with communities of color, immigrant and refugee populations, and low-income communities. The panel was gender, age and ethnically diverse and included representatives from the African American, Latinx, Native American, Caucasian, and immigrant communities.

The committee recommended 18 proposals receive funding, up to $50,000 each, to support a diverse range of organizations:

  • South Park Information and Resource Center
  • Indigenous Roots, LLC
  • Somali Family Safety Task Force
  • African Community Housing & Development
  • Black Dollar Days Task Force
  • East African Community Services
  • Puentes: Advocacy, Counseling & Education
  • Rainier Beach Action Coalition
  • Avole Coffee, LLC
  • Feest
  • Hip Hop is Green
  • First Tongan Seniors Association
  • Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle
  • Vietnamese Friendship Association
  • Hunger Intervention Program
  • Puget Sound Labor Agency
  • Temple Lifestyle
  • American Polynesian Organization

“On behalf of the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board, we congratulate the first grantees of the new Food Access Opportunity Fund,” said Christina Wong, Advisory Board Co-Chair. “We are excited to see the Sweetened Beverage Tax revenue supporting grassroots, community-led efforts to improve healthy food access in communities most affected by racial and economic inequities. We look forward to learning from your innovative and tailored strategies.”

The funding will support a number of efforts such as urban farming and increased access to healthy foods, farm stands, strategies to reduce sugary drink consumption, and healthy food and nutrition education focused on youth to seniors and students to families from diverse communities across Seattle.

HSD Announces 2019 Safety RFP Funding Opportunity

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The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in providing systems navigation and addressing trauma for 18 to 24-year-old people harmed by the criminal legal system in Seattle.

This Safety RFP is focused on people harmed by the criminal legal system in Seattle by investing in two strategies:

  • Systems Navigation – Individuals and families harmed by the criminal legal system get their basic needs met. This RFP defines a system as a structure that intersects with an individual’s or family’s ability to fully live their lives.  
  • Trauma Intervention – Individuals, families, and communities (of shared identity, culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and/or experience) address the harm caused by the criminal legal system. This RFP defines trauma as the result of an experienced event that has lasting, adverse effects on individual, familial, and community well-being.

Applicants must address both strategies. We will accept proposals submitted by one group or one agency. We will also accept collective proposals submitted by two or more groups and/or agencies. Collective proposals must identify a lead agency or group. If selected for funding, HSD will contract with the lead agency or group. All funded applicants will be required to participate in a data and learning cohort that will meet regularly.

Approximately $4,910,333 in HSD General Fund dollars is available through this RFP. HSD intends to fund a maximum of 25 proposals. Initial awards will be made for the period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. While it is the City’s intention to renew agreements resulting from this funding opportunity on an annual basis through the 2023 calendar year, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability. For more information, and all application materials click here.

HSD seeks to contract with a diverse group to help ensure the result of HSD’s Safety investment is that people harmed by the criminal legal system in Seattle live their lives fully without further harm and that all youth in Seattle successfully transition into adulthood. 

If you have any questions about this Safety RFP, please contact: Leslea Bowling at leslea.bowling@seattle.gov or (206) 684-0520. 

Next Thursday, 5/16: Coffee with the Department of Neighborhoods!

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Join us for coffee and conversation with Andrés Mantilla, Director, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Thursday, May 16 10:00–11:00 a.m. The Central Building 810 3rd Avenue 1st Floor Conference Room (between Columbia & Marion in downtown Seattle)
Click above to view the flier

Join us for coffee and conversation with Andrés Mantilla on Thursday, May 16, 10:00–11:00 a.m. at The Central Building, 810 3rd Avenue, 1st Floor Conference Room (between Columbia & Marion in downtown Seattle).

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods provides resources and opportunities for community members to build strong communities and improve their quality of life. Director Andrés Mantilla will address how the Department interacts with older adults and elevates their concerns to City decision making.

New for 2019! Subscribe to “Aging King County” on YouTube to view short video stories (“vlogs”) about each coffee hour: bit.ly/ADSonYouTube. Share them with anyone you think might be interested! For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, contact Lenny Orlov (206-386-1521 or agefriendly@seattle.gov) at least three days prior to the event.

Age Friendly Seattle Coffee Hours are held on the third Thursday of every month at the Central Building and on other dates in Seattle neighborhoods.

The events bring community elders closer to City officials to explore topics of interest. Presentations often include cutting edge information about healthy aging, legal and planning issues, and more.

Participants learn about City programs and services, and officials hear from their constituents. Coffee and refreshments are served. Visit the Age Friendly Seattle website to learn more — www.seattle.gov/agefriendly