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Posts categorized under Michael Taylor-Judd, Author at Human Interests - Page 5 of 15

City of Seattle Recognizes October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” to Raise Awareness and Support for Survivors of Abuse

Each year, the City of Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards (OLS) and Human Services Department (HSD) mark the month of October as a time to remember victims and survivors of abuse and exploitation; to raise awareness about violence and its effect on families and communities; and acknowledge and highlight those working to end gender-based violence.  “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in domestic violence reports with deep impacts on survivors,” said Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. “We can still be a lifeline during this unprecedented time, remember to check in on your neighbors who may be suffering abuse in silence. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we help those who may be suffering by raising our voices and awareness.” Mayor Durkan proclaimed the month of October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Seattle to help raise public awareness and support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. The City also takes seriously its responsibility to its own employees and to serving as a role model for other large organizations. In addition to sick leave, Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance provides workers with paid leave for absences that result from critical safety issues arising from domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. PSST COVID-19 amendments also require employers with employees in Seattle to provide paid leave when their family member’s school or place of care has been closed.

HSD Announces Funding Awards to Address Racism and Intolerance Toward the API Community

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the Asian and Pacific Islander Resiliency RFP which closed July 26, 2021. In response to the racism and intolerance toward the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seattle City Council passed Ordinance… [ Keep reading ]

Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center to open as an emergency cooling shelter

With forecasted record breaking temperatures over the weekend through Monday, June 28, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced the planned opening of a 24-hour cooling shelter to provide relief from the elements for individuals experiencing homelessness. The cooling shelter will be open from 8 a.m. this Saturday, June 26, through 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29. The shelter will be operated by The Salvation Army with capacity for 73 individuals. Meals will be provided to guests by OSL. To support those living unsheltered in the excessive heat, over the coming days, the HOPE Team, in partnership with outreach providers, will be conducting welfare checks, handing out water and basic needs supplies, and providing other supports, including transportation to cooling centers and shelter. Lake City Community Center (15321 28th Ave NE), which has been serving as a day center, will be open this weekend and Seattle Parks and Recreation has arranged for evaporative cooling at that location. There will be extended hours of operation on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

HSD Announces Awards for Food Bank Services in SW Seattle

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2021 Geographic Specific – Delridge, Georgetown, South Park – Food Bank Services Request for Proposal (RFP) which closed March 24, 2021. Four organizations will receive a total of $153,307 in 2021 to support food bank services for low-income individuals and families in the Delridge, Georgetown, and South Park neighborhoods. Agencies interested in funding were asked to demonstrate their community-centered program model and cultural responsivity in providing services.

Meeting Notice: Ideas and Interest in Non-Congregate Shelter Communities

The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking input on the potential development of up to three non-congregate shelter communities. Tiny house villages and enhanced shelter have been effective service models that offer people experiencing homelessness a welcoming place to stay, access to essential services, and a pathway to stable, permanent housing. As Seattle seeks to continue to work for its unsheltered residents, we want to know your ideas for creating non-congregate shelter communities and what community partners are interested in getting involved. Feedback procured through community engagement will help to inform potential funding opportunities to stand-up, operate, and provide social and behavioral health services in non-congregate shelter communities in which single-adult households are sheltered in their own structure such as a pallet home, pod, or tiny cabin. Please join us for a virtual Webex meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. This event requires registration to receive the event password.

HSD Releases New Funding Opportunity to Address Racism and Intolerance Toward the API Community

ភាសារខ្មែរ / 한국어 / ພາສາລາວ / Tiếng Việt / 繁體中文 / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ — added 6/17/2021 2021 Asian and Pacific Islander Resiliency Request for Proposal Asians are the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the United States.[1] With origins tracing back to more than 40 countries,[2] each group has its own history, culture, language, and experience. Pacific Islanders… [ Keep reading ]

Human Services Department Provides Update on Three New Tiny House Village Projects

All three projects are anticipated to open this summer, operated by the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), and add new shelter capacity The City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) provided an update on three new tiny house village projects set to open this summer that will add over 100 new tiny house units to the City’s shelter system, serving up to 145 individuals. These projects were proposed and approved as part of the 2021 budget and build on the City’s year-long work to address the impacts of COVID-19 by de-intensifying shelters, creating new enhanced shelter space, developing two hotel based shelter programs, and standing-up tiny house villages. This spring, HSD selected the sites, completed a request for proposal process, and selected a provider, LIHI. These programs will offer onsite case management services, including connections to behavioral health supports, and to permanent housing that help end a person’s experience with homelessness. Onsite amenities will also include access to hygiene and communal kitchens.

Seattle Human Services Department Continues to Build Up Safe and Thriving Communities Division

New Crime Survivor Services Unit and Job Posting for Division Director As the City of Seattle continues to reimagine public safety, the Safe and Thriving Communities Division is a new division in the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) that consolidates previous and planned City of Seattle community safety investments into… [ Keep reading ]

As the City of Seattle Reimagines Public Safety, Mayor Durkan and Fire Chief Scoggins Announce the Launch of Second Health One Unit Extending Service to University District and Ballard

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins announced today the launch of a second Health One unit to expand regular service of the program to Ballard and the University District. The second unit begins operating on April 15 and will be staffed with a team of two specially trained firefighter/EMTs and a case manager from the Human Services Department Aging and Disability Services Division. The team will serve people with non-emergency 9-1-1 calls with issues like substance abuse, non-emergency medical issues and a need to access services. Health One continues to focus on providing alternatives to transporting individuals to hospital emergency departments.

City of Seattle Opens Two Temporary Hotel-Based Shelters

This past week, the City of Seattle announced the opening of two temporary hotel shelters as part of the streets to housing investments first announced by Mayor Jenny A. Durkan on October 1, 2020 and passed by City Council on November 23, 2020. The City is using one-time federal funding to launch this program with a goal of moving hundreds of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness into shelter and on to permanent housing.