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Seattle Human Services news and events

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

HSD Announces Results of the Older Adult Community Transportation RFP

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The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 Older Adult Community Transportation RFP that was issued on January 14. Applicants were invited to submit proposals providing health services transportation and/or food access transportation in King County. Health Services Transportation enables older people to access healthcare by providing trips to medical and dental appointments, health-related services, and other essential appointments. Food Access Transportation enables older adults to access healthy food in the setting of their choice.

The RFP guides the investment of $711,500 in Federal Older Americans Act Title III-B funding and Washington State Senior Citizens Services Act funding. Additionally, City of Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) provides $150,048 to enhance and expand Food Access Transportation services for Seattle residents and allow full funding of the two top-ranked applications.

Three applications were received and reviewed by a diverse committee of subject matter experts and advocates for older adult services and community transportation. This included community members with extensive personal and professional experience with program activities, representation of or service to the focus populations, and understanding of participants’ needs, as well as representatives from the City’s human services, transportation, and legislative departments. In accordance with committee recommendations:

  • Sound Generations will receive $711,500 to support their Volunteer Transportation Service, Driver Companion, Nutrition Van Service, and Demand Response Service programs.
  • Catholic Community Services will receive $60,048 for their Volunteer Services Transportation program.
  • Northshore Senior Center will receive $90,000 for their Right Ride program.

“Transportation to and from community meal sites and health services is a service provided by many Area Agencies on Aging throughout the country,” said Cathy Knight, director of HSD’s Aging and Disability Services division, the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County. “Each year, more than 2,000 people use these services to get the nutrition and health care they need for healthy aging.”  

The three funded agencies will engage in coordination activities and conduct client-level data reporting toward HSD goals of results-based accountability and racial equity.

April is Fair Housing Month

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April is National Fair Housing Month. National Fair Housing Month increases efforts to end housing discrimination and raises awareness of fair housing rights. The month also remembers the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 and his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, of which fair and equitable access to housing was a key factor. The Fair Housing Act also celebrates its anniversary during April. In 2018, the Fair Housing Act celebrated its 50th anniversary. Designed to protect Americans from discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on color, race, national origin and religion, the act later extended to sex, disability and family status.

During 2018, the City of Seattle focused on the second year’s work to implement the 2017 City of Seattle and Seattle Housing Authority Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH). The development of the AFH required significant coordination, facilitation, research and production among 16 different city departments plus the Seattle Housing Authority during the period of 2015-2017. The AFH was adopted and accepted by HUD in July 2017. The 2018-2022 Consolidated Plan integrated the goals of the AFH work plan and as a result, the 2018 CAPER is the first time AFH accomplishments are included in our report. Please see the separate attachment that focuses on the commitments and progress toward AFH goals.

Below are some highlights for 2018 from that plan, though only a small portion of the work overlapped with the Assessment of Fair Housing:

  • The “Fair Chance Housing Ordinance” became effective on 2/19/2018 (SOCR)
  • SOCR worked in partnership with HSD to attend community listening sessions as part of a Racial Equity Toolkit to examine how City Council-designated funds should be distributed for tenant outreach (SOCR)
  • A campaign was launched to educate the public about the “Alternative Source of Income” and “Fair Chance Housing” ordinance (SOCR)
  • 8 free fair housing workshops for housing providers in an effort to make housing laws easier to access for the public (SOCR, SDCI)
  • 26 trainings were held with housing providers on how best to address bias when using criminal records in tenant screening (SOCR)
  • OPCD published its first “Comprehensive Plan Urban Village Monitoring Report” in June 2018. This report gauges the City’s progress in implementing Seattle’s recently updated Comprehensive Plan. The report tracks indicators related to housing and employment growth, housing affordability, and key aspects of livability including access to frequent transit, presence of sidewalks, and access to parks and open space. We’re measuring the indicators for the city as a whole and for individual centers and villages across the city (OPCD)
  • Affirmative marketing requirements for MFTE, MHA, and IZ performance units were published (OH)

I would like to acknowledge and offer my many thanks to the HSD Federal Grants Unit, in particular Debra Rhinehart, for the coordination this local effort requires. This body of work is racial equity in action, and I appreciate your leadership. #NationalFairHousingMonth

HSD Announces Results of the Homeless Outreach RFQ

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The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $244,400 to Evergreen Treatment Center’s REACH program to provide neighborhood-based homeless outreach services. The 2019 Homeless Strategy and Investment Outreach RFQ, also known as the 2019 Outreach RFQ, was a closed, expedited process only made available to agencies that had applied for Outreach and Engagement funding through the City’s 2017 Homeless Investments RFP and agencies currently funded by HSD to provide Outreach services.

Outreach services are defined as efforts to approach and engage someone with the objective of developing a relationship of trust and connecting that person with resources. Services may include addressing a person’s survival needs, providing health and other education, facilitating access to available services such as diversion or emergency shelter, and establishing ongoing, trusting relationships.

HSD is investing $244,400 of City General Fund to support up to three full-time outreach workers to serve First Hill, Capitol Hill, and/or Chinatown-International District neighborhoods. (HSD already funds several other outreach providers serving areas in Seattle.) In addition to outreach directly to people who are homeless, the staff person will serve as the point of contact for neighbors, including businesses, who are interested in maintaining or creating safe and vibrant communities and generating solutions to homelessness. Initial awards will be made from April 2019 through December 31, 2019, with renewal through 2020 contingent upon performance and funding availability.

The Outreach RFQ review committee consisted of members who have lived or worked in the identified neighborhoods, have led programs designed for people who are or have been homeless, and/or have lived experience as homeless and have received homeless services and subsidized housing in Seattle.

The committee recommended Evergreen Treatment Center’s REACH program based on a variety of factors, including their experience engaging with and assisting unsheltered populations, their willingness to tailor outreach work in the three identified neighborhoods in the RFQ, and their expertise in outreach to an array of people who are homeless in Seattle, including, but not limited to, people with ongoing mental health and substance use needs.

“It was a difficult decision to come to, but we were ultimately impressed with REACH’s ability to holistically serve the individuals experiencing homelessness in our neighborhoods,” said Jamie Lee, Director of Community Initiatives at Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda). “I am ready—as I’m sure are my colleagues in First Hill and Capitol Hill—to work with REACH to ensure that they serve our business community as well as those experiencing homelessness well.”

REACH builds relationships with people experiencing homelessness and connects them to the help that they need – everything from food and clothing to medical care, shelter, and mental health and/or substance use treatment. REACH improves lives daily for more than 1,000 King County residents. Whether it’s a visit to the doctor, a warm meal, or getting into substance use treatment, their work changes lives. Visit REACH’s website to hear stories about how they have helped improve people’s lives on the street.