Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative aims to fill 4000 positions

SEATTLE (April 4, 2016) –Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) opened the 2016 application process for the 10^th annual Summer Youth Employment Program.

The Summer Youth Employment Program is a part of the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative—a citywide effort to address high youth unemployment (currently 13 percent), while bridging the talent divide and investing in our future.

“Building on last year’s efforts, we are working with business leaders and community partners to expand the most vigorous youth employment program Seattle has seen in decades,” said Mayor Ed Murray.  “This program will help our most at-risk youth develop skills to compete in the 21st Century economy.”

Last year, the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative offered 2000 young people the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at businesses throughout the City. This year the City is expanding the program to 4000 youth.

HSD’s Youth Employment Program will contribute to the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative by supporting underserved youth and young adults in our community with comprehensive internship opportunities aimed at meeting their employment needs

The Summer Internship Program is open to youth and young adults, age 14-24 who live in the city of Seattle. Those interested in applying for summer jobs can complete the Online Application Information Form or pick up a hard copy application at 810 Third Avenue, 4th Floor, Suite 420, Seattle, WA 98104 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.  The complete application must be received online, mailed or dropped off by 5 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016.

Students without computer access are encouraged to utilize computers available at Seattle Public Libraries, Seattle Parks and Recreation community centers, Seattle public high schools, WorkSource Centers, and other community based organizations to complete their applications.

If you are an employee or owner of a business and want to support the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative, you can:

• Host one or more Youth Employment Initiative interns
• Provide philanthropic support for interns by donating to the initiative; or
• Create or expand your company’s youth employment program.

Employers are encouraged to visit murray.seattle.gov/youthjobsfor more details or to sign up for the Initiative.

This week the City of Seattle Human Services Department provided $2 Million in funding to the Denise Louie Education Center (DLEC). The funding will allow DLEC to develop a child care center located in the Sand Point neighborhood. This project will be undertaken in conjunction with an affordable housing development to be spearheaded by Mercy Housing Northwest who will provide 148 units of affordable housing.

The project will open in June 2018 and will provide services for at least 85 children. The total cost of the new child care center’s development will be $8.5 Million. When complete, the facility will enable low income families and children to benefit from a custom-designed early childhood education center, as well as myriad opportunities and services available in Magnuson Park:  stable affordable housing, a health clinic, and the City community center across the street.

Since 1978, DLEC has provided multicultural early learning and family support services so that Seattle kids will be ready to succeed in school and life. Last year, they served more than 575 low-income and immigrant children and their families through our Early Head Start home visiting, Head Start preschool and Play & Learn socialization groups.

You can find out how to support DLEC’s work here.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $89 million in funding to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

For more information about HSD Funding Opportunities and application materials, visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities webpage.

Today, the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) announced $628,000 in available funding to finance mental health counseling and treatment for Seattle youth. This funding is available through a Request for Proposal (RFP).

The purpose of this funding is to increase mental health counseling and treatment to Seattle youth with mental health disorders, behavioral or other emotional concerns such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, anxiety disorders, conduct disorders and depression but who may be ineligible for Medicaid, lack medical insurance or sufficient coverage for treatment.

A maximum of six proposals will be granted to agencies who meet the minimum eligibility criteria. This investment is funded by the HSD General Fund.  The application deadline for this award is May 12, 2016 by 12:00 p.m.

Agencies interested in learning more about this funding opportunity are encouraged to attend the information session:

Monday, April 11^th
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Columbia Branch Seattle Public Library
4721 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

More application information can be found here.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $89 million in funding through 450 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

For more information about HSD Funding Opportunities and application materials, visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities webpage.

Today, the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) announced $2,000,000 in available funding to finance capital improvements for community health care facilities. This funding is available through a Request for Proposal (RFP).

This funding is intended to both improve and expand community health care facilities to meet the unprecedented demand of 84,000 newly insured Seattle and King County residents who have enrolled in health care coverage since the passing of the Affordable Care Act.

A maximum of four proposals will be granted to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FHQC look-alikes (organizations that meet PHS Section 330 eligibility requirements but do not receive grant funding). This investment is funded by the HSD General Fund.  The application deadline for this award is April 11, 2016 by 4:00 p.m.

Agencies interested in learning more about this funding opportunity are encouraged to attend the information session:

Wednesday, March 23^rd
2 – 3:30 p.m.
Jefferson Community Center
3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $89 million in funding through 450 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

For more information about HSD Funding Opportunities and application materials, visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities webpage.

The City of Seattle announces the release of the Proposed 2016 Annual Action Plan to the 2014-2017 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. The Proposed 2016 Annual Action Plan includes proposed guidance for the allocation of an estimated $15.5 million of federal grant and program revenue funds [approximately $9.5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $3.6 million in HOME program funds, $819,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG) funds and $1.8 million in Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds] from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Annual Action Plan responds to HUD requirements in order for the City of Seattle to access these funds. The Plan describes the allocations of these funds to address the housing, homeless, community development and economic development needs of the City’s low and moderate-income residents and neighborhoods.  The Plan also provides funds for the 23^rd Avenue Business Stabilization Fund as announced by the Mayor to help businesses affected by the road and infrastructure project along 23^rd Avenue.

The Proposed 2016 Annual Action Plan is be available for public review online, or by calling the City of Seattle Community Development Block Grant Office, Janet Thomas, at 206-684-0288, to request that a copy be provided to you.

The Public is invited to attend a public hearing to discuss the proposed 2016 Annual Action Plan, at the Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods and Finance Committee Meeting of the Seattle City Council on:

 March 16, 2016 at 9:00am at

Seattle City Hall 600 4th Ave. 2nd Floor Seattle, WA

We invite the public to submit written comments on the Proposed 2016 Annual Action Plan by April 4, 2016. Comments can be sent via E-mail or mail to:

Michael Look, CDBG Manager

Seattle Human Services Department

PO Box 34215 Seattle WA 98124-4215

E-mail: Michael.Look@seattle.gov

For questions about the Consolidated Plan, call Michael Look at (206) 615-1717 or Debra Rhinehart at (206) 684-0574.

Today, City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) announced that it is seeking applications from agencies interested in providing Medicaid Long Term Supports and Services (LTSS) Case Management for eligible clients in King County through a Request for Qualification (RFQ). The goal of this investment is to address an anticipated service gap for clients residing in East King County and to increase capacity throughout the system to address the needs of an increasingly diverse client population, specifically clients from Eastern Europe, the Middle East and East Africa.

This RFQ is open to non-profit, government, or public agencies. Funding amounts will be based on client volume and a negotiated rate ranging from $102.75-$115. HSD intends to contract with one to three new agencies through this RFQ for services in East King County. Current case management contractors do not need to apply. Initial contracts for qualified applicants will be made for the period of July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. While it is the City’s intention to renew agreements resulting from this RFQ on an annual basis, future funding will be contingent upon performance and funding availability. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 4 p.m.

HSD continues its effort to institute performance-based investments and uses data to steer the department’s resources to nonprofits who demonstrate their ability to serve the community’s most in need. HSD seeks to ensure the City’s finite resources are being directed to programs that can best leverage the investments for maximum impact on reducing disparities.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $89 million in funding through 450 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

For more information about HSD Funding Opportunities and application materials, visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities webpage.

Seattle, WA – Today, the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) released its 2016 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) which provides an overview of HSD’s impending funding opportunities for 2016.   These funding opportunities represent over $5.3 million in investments in nonprofit service providers that serve Seattle’s most vulnerable populations.

“As Seattle’s economy continues to grow, we cannot ignore the vast number of our residents who continue to struggle to meet their most basic and fundamental needs.” said Catherine Lester, Human Services Director. “HSD continues to target investments in social service agencies that work to ensure that all of our neighbors have the opportunity to achieve and maintain economic prosperity. These investments will support local nonprofit organizations that do great work every day on the front lines to serve the most vulnerable in our community.”

The 2016 competitive funding processes announced today include:

• Medicaid Case Management: Fee for service (January 2016)
• Youth Mental Health: $627,888 (March 2016)
• Youth Development: $972,642 (April 2016)
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy: $1,800,000 (June 2016)
• Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy: $646,000 (June 2016)
• Domestic Violence Housing and Shelter Services: $1,100,000 (June 2016)
• Senior Health Promotion: $162,000 (June 2016)

Once finalized, HSD will issue individual, detailed funding request for proposal for each investment area.

HSD continues its effort to institute performance-based investments and uses data steer the department’s resources to nonprofits who demonstrate their ability to serve the community’s most in need.   HSD seeks to ensure the City’s finite resources are being directed to programs that can best leverage the investments for maximum impact on reducing disparities.

The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $89 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year.  The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

For more information and a PDF of the 2016 NOFA, visit HSD’s website.

Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) and Clear Channel Outdoor to unveil a campaign to raise awareness of a new partnership between the Seattle Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light which will provide households up to $200 in utility account credits for customers who complete financial counseling at the Seattle FEC.

Income-qualified customers who complete FEC counseling will receive a onetime credit to both their Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utility bill not to exceed $100.00, per account. FEC counseling consists of, but is not limited to, a financial health assessment, creation of a budget, and when applicable, a payment arrangement with both Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light. To be eligible for the account credit, household income cannot exceed 70 percent of the Washington State median income.

“The Seattle Human Services Department is proud to partner with Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities and Clear Channel Outdoor to ensure that Seattle remains an inclusive, accommodating and affordable city”, said Catherine Lester, Director of the Seattle Human Services Department. “We must take bold steps, including making City services more affordable, to ensure working class families can achieve financial empowerment”.

“We are proud to continue helping vulnerable residents take control of their futures by using our media to point them to basic financial knowledge available from financial empowerment centers.  Billboards are a powerful way to reach people while also targeting specific audiences that may be heavily effected by predatory lending and lack of access to resources said Pam Guinn, president, CCOA-Washington State. “Financial literacy affects all of us in all of our communities and this campaign will help qualified families learn how to save money and reduce their debt by receiving financial counseling.”

With funding from the City of Seattle and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation the Seattle Financial Empowerment Center was launched in April 2014. HSD partners with nonprofit organizations to help diverse communities of people with limited resources attain their goals for self-sufficiency, financial independence and health. Neighborhood House and El Centro de la Raza Agencies operate the Seattle FEC with Human

As part of FEC counseling, residents can complete an application for other city benefit programs such as Utility Discount Program, $20 Car Rebate Program, Seattle City Light Emergency Low Income Assistance and Project Share Programs, and Seattle Public Utilities Emergency Assistance Program. Clients are also encouraged to take advantage of other FEC services including obtaining a free or low fee bank account, a free credit report, debt management, free tax preparation and assistance building saving plans.

Interested utility customers should check appointment availability by calling 206.923.6555 or by checking the website at fec.seattle.gov. Spanish speakers should call 206.957.4610.

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The Seattle Human Services Department is one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net as it provides $99 million in funding through 522 contracts to nearly 200 agencies that support Seattle’s most vulnerable residents each year. The department works closely with its community partners, including other public and nonprofit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging human service needs, and to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional human services system.

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCO) is one of the world’s largest outdoor advertising companies with more than 675,000 displays in over 40 countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and North America.  Reaching millions of people monthly, including consumers in 45 of the top 50 U.S. markets, Clear Channel Outdoor enables advertisers to engage with consumers through innovative advertising solutions.  Clear Channel Outdoor is pioneering the integration of out-of-home with mobile and social platforms, and the company’s digital platform includes more than 8,000 screens worldwide, with 1,175 digital billboards across 37 U.S. markets.

 Spanish translation: