Initiatives

The Seattle Human Services Department is pursuing a number of community-wide initiatives to help us serve the people of Seattle and to reach our goals.

Investing in Our Community

Through their City government, the people of Seattle invest in many assets that together build a strong, vibrant community. They invest in public utilities to provide clean water and electrical power, in fire and police forces to protect public safety, and in streets, parks, and libraries. Among the most important investments the City of Seattle makes are in services that promote the health and security of those who most need the community’s help.

The Seattle Human Services Department finds and funds solutions for human needs so that low-income and vulnerable residents can live and thrive. The Department works closely with the community and other funders to assess emerging human services needs and develop responsive, proactive policies and programs to address these needs. Strategies use current “best practices” and knowledge, build upon inherent strengths in the community, and are geared toward maximizing the potential of residents to live productive and independent lives.

The Human Service Department’s Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) provides high-level direction and recommendations for investments in human services. It helps set investment priorities, guide budgeting decisions, and select the most effective strategies.

Current Funding Opportunities

Ending Homelessness/The Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness

The City of Seattle is one of three major funders of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County and the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, along with King County and United Way of King County.

The vision behind the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County emerged in 2004 when a broad-based coalition of more than 30 leaders representing United Way, businesses, faith-based communities, housing and human services organizations, homeless individuals and governments came together to develop “A Roof Over Every Bed in King County: Our Community’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.” The plan tackles the tough issues related to homelessness and provides a clear vision and action plan to improve the broad spectrum of services for homeless individuals and families. It inspires a unity of purpose and facilitates cooperation and better alignment among public, private and nonprofit sectors.

For more information visit:

• Committee to End Homelessness in King County and the Ten-Year Plan web site
• The Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness

The Families and Education Levy: Improving academic achievement of children and youth

Seattle’s Families and Education Levy has been so effective that it has been continuously renewed by voters since it was first started in 1997. The $69 million, seven-year levy pays for a wide variety of programs each year that aim to help children:

• Get ready for school
• Improve their academic achievement
• Stay in school

For more information about the many programs funded by the Families and Education Levy, visit:

• Our Children & Families web page
• Seattle Office for Education

Promoting Healthy Aging

As part of our goal to improve the physical and mental health and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities, Aging and Disability Services in the Seattle Human Services Department has embarked on a number of healthy aging programs, working closely with our community partners.

Studies show that preventive measures such as increasing physical activity, improving nutrition and conducting health screenings go a long way toward managing chronic conditions and reducing associated disabilities as people age. Our healthy aging initiatives emphasize chronic disease self-management and health behavior change.

For more information, visit our Healthy Aging web page

Improving the Health of Seattle Residents

Public health services are vital to the well-being and health of families and neighborhoods. While King County government is responsible for providing core public health services to residents countywide, City funds are used to “fill in the gaps” for Seattle residents, making more services available to more people and improving access to health care.

Our comprehensive approach to public health involves working closely with Public Health – Seattle & King County, the Community Health Centers, King County Community and Human Services and other organizations to improve the health of the entire community.

For more information, visit our Public Health Initiatives and Funding web page

Ending Domestic Violence

The City of Seattle works to keep all adults and children safe from domestic violence and sexual assault. We help victims and survivors create safe and violence-free lives, and heal from the trauma of abuse or sexual assault.

A citywide investment of $15 million annually in criminal justice and victim services programs helps victims and survivors gain safety, holds offenders accountable, builds community support to end abuse and violence, and ensures that all citizens have access to critical services. This involves collaborating with numerous private and public agencies to provide many services and programs, convening elected leaders and community partners to work together, and seeking public and private funding to enhance programs and services for Seattle residents.

For more information, visit our Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention web page

One-stop Public Assistance/PeoplePoint

PeoplePoint helps people with low and moderate incomes apply for a number of benefit programs — free or reduced-cost child care and preschool, reduced energy and utility bills, food and health insurance — all at the same time in the same place.

This program — jointly sponsored by the City of Seattle Human Services Department and Public Health - Seattle & King County — is centered on the customer. We provide you with information, assess your eligibility, and help you apply for the benefits for which you might be eligible.

For more information, visit the PeoplePoint web page

Race & Social Justice Initiative

Mayor Nickels’ Race and Social Justice Initiative aims to end institutionalized racism in City government and create a community enriched by diverse cultures, with full participation by all residents. Many City departments, including the Human Services Department, are participating in this effort.