King County is Moving Forward
King County Executive Dow Constantine has released a list of the top 19 accomplishments which highlight just some of the work King County has done in 2019. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we are proud and honored to have some of our amazing projects featured in this list.
Thank you to our staff, our providers and partners, and a huge thank you to the community–your ideas and commitment to the work that we do continue to make King County a diverse and welcoming community. However, there is still much work to do. Though growth and progress can bring success and prosperity, we still have friends and neighbors falling behind. So for us, the work continues, and we look forward to serving King County in 2020.
DCHS in the Top 19
The following excerpts are from DCHS entries that made Executive Constantine’s Top 19 Accomplishments in 2019:
Seattle and King County create new unified regional homelessness authority
Created by legislation passed by the King County Council, Seattle City Council, and the Regional Policy Committee, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority is the new home for developing a coordinated and unified response to the homelessness crisis in King County. The new structure brings together cities, the county, and the voices of those who have experienced homelessness to develop solutions and deliver services across the region.
Opened new Eagle Village shelter with innovative modular housing
The new Eagle Village shelter primarily serves the Native American and Alaska Native homeless communities, who are ten times more likely to experience homelessness. Working with local partners, King County invested $3 million with innovative modular housing at the new Eagle Village shelter.
‘Snowpocalypse’ demands regional response during winter storm
During the region’s biggest snowstorm in nearly a decade, King County Emergency Management coordinated response to keep people safe, clear roads, and make sure people had the latest information. King County added beds in emergency shelters and worked with human services partners across the region during the storm.
Opened new and expanded homeless shelters in downtown Seattle
King County expanded the Harborview Hall shelter to operate 24/7, opened a new support hub in Pioneer Square, and opened the new West Wing shelter in an underutilized space in the King County Correctional Facility.
Invested $20 million in senior services
King County invested $20 million in new funding from the voter-approved Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy to support seniors across the region, including funding 28 senior centers forming 14 senior “hubs” and funding 13 additional senior centers with one-time awards – all focused on healthy aging and building community connections for older adults throughout King County.
Invested to prevent Hepatitis A with vaccine program
Recognizing the potential costs of treating Hepatitis A, this year King County invested $375,000 in free vaccinations for the homeless community. Hepatitis A outbreaks in other major cities have been both deadly and costly, and this innovative program used risk management funds to vaccinate over 2,000 people experiencing homelessness.
Launched new teams to bring drug treatment to unsheltered population
The Seattle Times: “Amid an opioid overdose crisis that’s seen hundreds of deaths in recent years, King County is planning to bring medication-assisted treatment for opioids to homeless encampments and shelters this fall.”
Supported quality child care and expanded after-school programs with Best Starts for Kids
The Best Starts for Kids Levy is the most comprehensive investment in child development in the country. This year we launched teams to help train child care providers, and expanded after-school and summer programs in communities that engaged more than 3,500 young people.
