Community partnerships help thousands stay housed during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic many of our neighbors and friends unexpectedly lost employment and were unable to pay rent, all while trying to stay safe and healthy. Our community was in crisis. The Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program (EPRAP) program was launched to help thousands of our community members at risk of homelessness. Since…

King County selects operator for Redmond Health Through Housing

Ground floor view from inside the newest Health Through Housing property - a 35-unit building providing permanent supportive housing to QT2BIPOC residents. Today, King County Department of Community and Human Services announced the selection of an operator for the Health Through Housing (HTH) building in Redmond. The building now moves into the next phase of…

Integrating health care systems to support and care for people with substance use disorders  

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex conditions that continue to impact people from all walks of life. Like many communities across the nation, King County residents are seeing a rise in substance use disorders and overdoses, particularly with the tragic impacts of the fentanyl epidemic being felt across our communities.    This summer, DCHS published a…

Thanking the leaders of King County’s Best Starts for Kids

A message from DCHS Director, Leo Flor on the outgoing Best Starts leadership team. Since King County voters first approved the Best Starts for Kids Levy in 2015, Sheila Ater Capestany (she/her) and Marcy Miller (she/her) have grown a powerful idea into a cutting edge, nation-leading program that makes a meaningful difference in the lives…

Seeking new members to serve on the Children and Youth Advisory Board PSTAA Subcommittee 

Join a CYAB Subcommittee focused on education needs!  The Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) Advisory Subcommittee is requesting applications from volunteers interested in providing guidance to King County on the education needs of King County Youth. Young people (ages 16-24) are provided a $125 stipend for every month of active participation.    The three investment…

King County launches new effort to prevent youth suicide, invites you to join

September is coming around the corner, and we are preparing for September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.   King County DCHS partnered with Rescue Agency to develop a countywide Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign to help prevent youth suicide during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, including a Suicide Prevention Week of Action that will take place September…