Seattle Women's Commission

2010 Workplan

Policy and Program Priorities:

Violence Prevention

Address high levels of domestic violence in immigrant and refugee communities

• Investigate availability and adequacy of city provided/sponsored services related to domestic violence in refugee/immigrant/non-English speaking communities
• Bring in an expert on this topic (Refugee Women's Alliance or other) to help Commission understand needs/gaps
• Identify agencies serving these communities and audit their access to city information/services
• Create strategy for raising awareness of services available to these communities
• Assess the process for a victim as he/she moves through chain of services
• Make recommendations to city on policy or program improvements that address violence in these communities

Advocate for youth prostitution/sexual exploitation resources

• Monitor the funding and initial success indicators of the City of Seattle Teen Prostitution Fund and associated country program to serve girls who are victims of prostitution; continue to advocate for money to close the funding gap
• Raise community awareness about Seattle's problem of sexual exploitation/prostitution of girls
• Audit city services available to victims of prostitution/exploitation and help raise awareness to victims if applicable
• Analyze areas of influence in legislative arena and make policy recommendations

Economic Opportunities

Address lack of resources for homeless women and families

• Make recommendations to city on more progressive policies to help address homelessness that affect women and women with children
• Investigate potential partnerships for the city with non-governmental agencies or organizations (such as Homeless Coalition) to create more housing options
• Recommend changes to city's policy of requiring CPS reports for families staying at Tent City
• Analyze potential policies and programs to address emergency shelter equity

Advocate for mandatory paid sick leave

• Research costs and benefits of mandatory paid sick leave to Seattle residents, government and businesses
• Investigate success of mandatory paid sick leave programs in other cities (San Francisco, Milwaukee and Washington D.C.
• Recommend policy to city regarding mandatory paid sick leave

Health Improvements

Partner with community organizations to address health disparities between different racial and economic groups in Seattle

• Evaluate city programs and funding that can address disparities in health (in particular, women's health, mental health and infant mortality)
• Serve as convener for community organizations working on this issue
• Raise awareness with mayor, city council and city departments on these disparities

Advocacy Priorities:

2009 Commissioners

Sonya Zilka

---