We are proud to share that this week the King County Council voted to pass the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy Implementation Plan.
The VSHSL Implementation Plan is a strategy-by-strategy plan that details how the 2024-2029 VSHSL proceeds will be invested in King County’s communities to improve overall health and well-being, help communities thrive, and reduce disparities throughout King County.
With strong council and community support for this plan DCHS can move forward to bring to life the programs and strategies detailed in the plan to promote financial and housing stability, social engagement, health and wellbeing, and to better connect individuals and families to resources and services.
Key strategies supporting King County’s communities
- Human Services workforce stabilization: King County’s human services network is made up of the people and organizations addressing the most pressing issues we face as a region—providing shelter and supportive housing, behavioral health treatment, education and employment access, and case management. Investments in the human services workforce help workers live in the communities they serve, sustain careers, and attain mastery in difficult and essential community services. This investment aims to improve staff recruitment and retention for nonprofit organizations providing human services in King County.
- Veteran housing supports: Services supporting stable housing for veterans and their families, including operating an affordable housing veteran facility, housing navigation and related stabilization services to veteran households experiencing homelessness, and housing connections facilitated through the Collaborative Case Management program for underserved veterans, are included in the plan.
- Stabilizing and transforming senior centers: Senior centers in King County, including community centers with significant senior-focused programming or specific senior programs, are important but often under-resourced. Through this funding, senior centers can continue to be inclusive, vibrant places that serve as access points to critical services for the full diversity of seniors in the community.
- Community supports for people with disabilities: The plan includes system navigation and community building to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities reflecting the full diversity of King County. This investment looks at holistic approaches informed by the voices of people with disabilities. Investments include, but are not limited to, early intervention, employment services, housing, civic engagement, internship, education, and training. Services may also support caregivers.
- Countywide gender-based violence and trafficking prevention: The plan includesprogramming and initiatives designed to prevent all forms of gender-based violence and human trafficking, including but not limited to domestic violence, sexual assault, and commercial sexual exploitation. These investments aim to strengthen prevention programs, build community relationships, and tailor strategies geographically and throughout culturally diverse communities in King County.
Read the full VSHSL Implementation Plan here.
Funding opportunities and Community Planning Sessions
DCHS will begin launching funding opportunities for VSHSL programs and services in January 2024 and plans to stagger them throughout the year. You can view the list of funding opportunities and their projected timeline for release on the VSHSL webpage. When released, funding opportunities will also be posted on the DCHS blog, Cultivating Connections, and in the VSHSL newsletter.
DCHS will also be hosting Community Planning Sessions for various VSHSL strategies to gather community feedback to ensure funding opportunities are best meeting community needs, filling gaps, and creatively implementing programs and services.
In August, over 71 percent of King County voters approved the VSHSL for the fourth time, the highest approval rating in the levy’s history. We are grateful to all of King County’s communities for reaffirming our region’s commitment to King County’s veterans, servicemembers and their families, older adults and their caregivers, and resilient communities.