September 16, 2021 Membership Meeting

Recording of the September General Membership Meeting.

Washington Foster Care Pandemic Aid

We will be joined by Jo Bechtold from the Mockingbird Society to learn about the Washington Foster Care Pandemic Aid. The funding is for young adult alumni of foster care in WA who are ages 23 through 26, who were dependent in WA (or dependent of tribe in WA) and spent 30+ days in an out-of-home placement between age 15 and 18. 

The deadline to apply for Washington Foster Care Pandemic Aid is September 24, 2021. Come and learn who is eligible, how to apply, and how you can help people you work with get this benefit. Click here to visit Treehouse’s website for more information on eligibility and to apply.

Click here for the flyer for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ Independent Living Program.

Homeless Child Care Options

Alex Barbaria with Child Care Resources will present information on the DSHS homeless grace period, the new King County American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding, subsidy information for families experiencing homelessness and veteran families.

Intake

  • Call 206-329-5842 (We are remote right now so it is a voicemail system but we will return calls within 2-5 business days)
  • Email: subsidy@childcare.org

SNAP/Food Benefits Updates

Claire Lane with the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition will share the most recent federal and state updates regarding SNAP benefits.

Take Action: Tell Congress to End Hunger in Budget Reconciliation

  • Send messages to Congress, urging them to invest in SNAP benefits and year-round healthy school meals in the budget. These are the programs that have been helping to flatten our hunger curve and can give families consistent basic nutrition to pave their road to self-sufficiency.
  • Tweet our recent op-ed at Congress to include expanded food assistance in the federal budget.
  • Once you’ve shared that op-ed, take action with the YMCA to urge Congress to make the Child Tax Credit expansions permanent.

DSHS Service Delivery and Coalition Advocacy

DSHS reopening offices and the advocacy that the Coalition and member organizations have been doing to help shape the service delivery model to ensure that those that are living without shelter can access DSHS public benefits.

Charter Amendment 29 Lawsuit

The Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness, The Transit Riders Union, and the ACLU of Washington filed a lawsuit against the proposed amendment. Read ACLU’s news releases related to the lawsuit here.

Member & Community Updates

  • TAKE ACTION: Governor Inslee Must Extend Renter Protections! Take Action Now! – Action Network
  • Hopelink’s Family Development Program (FDP) helps families achieve greater stability and self-sufficiency. Partner with a case manager to create a personalized goal plan, focusing on the strengths and potential of your family. While FDP is not a housing or financial assistance program, your case manager can help you navigate the housing system and connect you to resources. View their flyer with program eligibility. Eligible families can get connected by calling 425.883.4755 or complete the online contact form.
  • Seattle Public Library opened 3 branches this month, Montlake, Madrona, and Wallingford. Services are expanding, including printing/copying, computers, virtual tutoring, a 10-min curtesy phone at the Central branch, and more. Please visit SPL’s Road to Reopening website for more information on services and hours.

Upcoming Coalition Events and Help Shape Content