Today we want to help more Seattle residents stay informed about COVID-19 by sharing this excellent blog post by Joaquin Uy from the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs which showcases community-reviewed translations of important Public Health recommendations as part of their mission to expand language access for Seattle residents:
The World Health Organization reminds everyone that the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the flu, and other communicable diseases is by following basic hygiene steps regularly: Wash your hands frequently Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze (and… [ Keep reading ]
The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from organizations and coalitions interested in providing services to support Native/Indigenous people returning to their communities after incarceration. This funding opportunity was developed from the City of Seattle’s Reentry Workgroup led by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR’s vision is to liberate people in communities where systems of racism, oppression, and colonization historically held and/or continue to hold power and thrive. This request for proposal (RFP) process is a collaboration between OCR and HSD. This RFP is focused on reentry investments through Native/Indigenous-led community healing practices. Native/Indigenous-led healing practices may include cultural, spiritual, and/or ceremonial activities such as drumming circles, sweat lodges, canoe journey, woodcarving, and other practices that focus on healing, building connection and trust, and providing a sense of community.
The Washington State Department of Health announced several new cases of COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus, in King and Snohomish Counties. The first case was announced in Seattle on March 1, 2020. You can learn of new developments in the days and weeks ahead by visiting Public Health — Seattle King County and Washington State Department of Health. We are providing information on what the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is doing in preparation and in response to COVID-19 in communities across Seattle and King County. If a significant expansion of services is required, the City will also need significant resources from the state and federal government will be necessary to assist our most vulnerable.
The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) helps young people (ages 16 to 24) from low-income households and communities that experience racial, social, and economic disparities. The goal is to increase youth and young adults’ ability to pursue careers that pay well and are meaningful to them. SYEP has two components: a school-year exploration and learning experience, and a summer internship. The summer internship places young people in work settings to apply their knowledge, gain hands-on experience, develop professional connections, and build their resume. In 2020, SYEP summer interns will be paid $16.39 for up to 150 hours of work over six weeks.
The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the availability of up to $111,686 of Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) funding for the 2020 Geographic Specific – Delridge, Georgetown, South Park – Food Bank Services Request for Proposal (RFP).
For many years, Washington state has provided a property tax reduction to older adults and veterans with disabilities to make it easier for those on fixed incomes to remain in their homes. Unfortunately, due to rapidly rising home values and property taxes, these programs didn’t help enough of our neighbors. That’s why regional leaders and groups like the AARP Washington asked state leaders for help, and in 2019 they responded.
Standing alongside community members, public health professionals, and service providers, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced the City of Seattle’s new efforts to raise awareness regarding fentanyl and counterfeit pills. The City of Seattle, in partnership with community-based organizations, will convene a series of 25 naloxone trainings to distribute 700 City-purchased naloxone kits. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a nasal spray that can be used to reverse an opioid-involved overdose. Investment in and distribution of naloxone kits is an overdose reversal medication that has been endorsed by the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Medical Association.
HSD is activating an additional shelter at the Seattle Municipal Tower (SMT), which is located at 700 5th Ave. This shelter is also available to adults and pets and no one will be turned away. People may arrive at 7pm and wait inside for the shelter to open at 8pm. The SMT shelter will operate through Friday morning, January 17. HSD and Seattle Parks and Recreation are also opening an overnight shelter at the Bitter Lake Community Center, which is located at 13035 Linden Ave N. The shelter will open this evening at 7pm and run continuously as a warming center and overnight shelter for families with children and people living in vehicles. Single adults and couples are welcome at this facility as well. This shelter will operate 24 hours a day beginning TONIGHT.
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan proclaimed the month of January as “Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” and last Friday, January 10, 2020 to be “Human Trafficking Awareness Day” to proclaim the equality and freedom inherent to all people, to advocate for legislation and protection for survivors, to raise awareness, and to recognize leaders in addressing human trafficking. “Working to end human trafficking takes passion, commitment, courage, and leadership,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan, at an event held Friday morning at City Hall. “An estimated 400,000 people are believed trapped in forced labor to sex trafficking in the United States. In Seattle, we want that number to be zero, and we must do everything we can to end human trafficking in our City and world. Today, we are honoring key leaders and trailblazers whose collective work have built the foundation for the anti-trafficking movement that we currently have in Seattle, King County, and Washington state today.”
