Social Services

Update: Members of controversial SeaTac committee named

Guest — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:24:38 +0000

Guest (not verified) Mon, 04/29/2013 - 4:24pm

Advisory committee sparks diverse views from SeaTac lawmakers

SeaTac Mayor Tony Anderson and Councilwoman Terry Anderson present the key to the city to retiring SeaTac Police Chief James Graddon. In the background are council members Barry Ladenburg, left, Rick Forschler and Pam Fernald.

Photo by Gwen Davis

Press release:

The SeaTac City Council voted at its last meeting to appoint seven members and two alternates to serve on the newly formed Community Building Committee. The committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the SeaTac City Council, and is charged with:

· Researching best practices of other jurisdictions and vetting those ideas within the community.
· Fostering communication and building trust with all City departments and within the community.
· Acting as a sounding board for projects and programs under development by the City.
· Seeking innovative, community-based ideas through sustainable, two-way communication within the community.
· Participating in existing city, school and community meetings and events to bridge communication gaps and promote active participation and community engagement.

“The establishment of the Community Building Committee represents another step toward more open dialogue between the City and its many stakeholders including residents, schools, community groups and businesses, said Mayor Tony Anderson. “With this committee in place we will be in an even stronger position to address the opportunities and issues that are identified in a more direct and timely manner, as we share our work back with the community.”

The City Council selected the following individuals to serve on the inaugural Community Building Committee:

· Jean Blackburn (two-year term)
· Abdirahman Hashi (one-year term)
· Abdiwali Mohamed (one-year term)
· Virginia Olsen (two-year term)
· Pat Patterson (two-year term)
· Keith Siebler (one-year term)
· Matthew York (two-year term)
· Nibret Aga (alternate)
· Kenneth Taylor (alternate)

Twenty-five individuals applied to serve on the committee. Terms are staggered with four members serving two-year terms and three members serving one-year terms as noted above.

Those interested in committee agendas can sign up for e-notifications by visiting the City’s website, www.CityofSeaTac.com. Under the “I Want To…” pull down menu, click “Sign up for…” and click on “eNotifications”. A box will appear. Enter your email address and click on Community Building Committee under the Event Calendar section and click the “Subscribe” button. You will receive a confirmation email from “administrator” asking you to confirm your subscription. Be sure to respond to the email to activate your e-notification subscription. You may visit the same page to change your subscription preference.

Here is Highline Times' previous coverage:

By Gwen Davis

The April 23 SeaTac City Council meeting began on a pleasant note when Mayor Tony Anderson presented the key to the city to retiring police chief James Graddon.

However, the following part of the meeting was far from congenial.

The council was to affirm the appointments of seven members and two alternate members to the new Community-Building Committee. The candidates for this committee – who will work with the diverse population of the city – were already chosen.

But, Councilmember Pam Fernald complained that the committee members were not all residents of SeaTac. She said that not all of the people who initially applied for these positions were even contacted.

“I’m not going to vote to select people who do not live in SeaTac to serve on a SeaTac committee,” she said.

“More than four citizens who I personally know of who applied for this committee were not even called or interviewed.”

“It sounds like this was because they were not people of color… To me this is reverse discrimination.”

But Councilmember Barry Ladenburg did not agree.

“I am shocked to hear the committee has failed even before it had its first meeting,” he said. “I didn’t know it was required that people live in the city – but it’s what they bring to the city as far as the committee goes. There are certainly a lot of people working for the city, especially in the school district who know the city very well but do not live exactly in the city.

“This committee is advisory only. They don’t spend taxpayer money. The things they do will have to go through this council.”

“We were looking at a lot of diversity in the community, whether they live here, working in the community; are they a young group, older group, an ethnic group. Our community is made up of all kinds of diversity and that’s how we wanted this committee to look. I thought we came up with that.”

Councilmember Rick Forschler said this very debate about citizenship and interviews was “awkward” since it suggested non-transparency though an effort that was meant to be transparent.

The council ended up affirming the appointments.

City/County Initiatives

Highline Times

New Futures merger into SW Youth and Family Services will be official on April 29

ericm — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:45:09 +0000

ericm Thu, 04/18/2013 - 1:45pm

Press release:

On April 29, the merger of New Futures with Southwest Youth & Family Services will be complete, creating one stronger, more versatile organization primed to reach more families in southwest Seattle and King County.

This integration reflects a shared belief in the power of self-determination for families. The merger will make it possible to apply greater resources and increase support to families as they determine for themselves the best ways to empower their children and build resilience.

"I first approached Southwest Youth & Family Services in 2012 about our interest in a merger because of their track record, integrity and cultural sensitivity," stated Jenn Ramirez Robson, Executive Director, New Futures.

Hers is one of the few roles that will change post-merger, as she becomes the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Southwest Youth & Family Services, with a focus on fundraising and community outreach.

Steve Daschle, Executive Director, Southwest Youth & Family Services shares Ms. Robson's enthusiasm for the benefits of the merger. He believes that, "By combining our strengths in service delivery, we will be better able to address the growing educational and social service needs of low-income families across southwest Seattle and King County. We can immediately connect our counseling and educational services, and solidify our role as family advocates with local school districts."

New Futures will gain administrative support, the financial stability of an organization twice its size and increased access to even more services for participants. Southwest Youth & Family Services will expand its service area, increase its ability to serve more people through its program offerings and broaden staff expertise.

New Futures programs will continue under the umbrella of Southwest Youth & Family Services. Key partners of both organizations, such as the King County Housing Authority, United Way of King County, the Highline School District, the Cities of Burien and SeaTac, and The Seattle Foundation have expressed their support for the merger.

Please come and celebrate with us at our May 1st Get Inspired! Benefit Breakfast. Register online at www.newfutures.org.

About New Futures:

New Futures' mission is to partner with families in their communities and with educators to ensure that children succeed in school and life. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths. We operate vibrant community learning centers at three low-income apartment complexes in South King County. New Futures provides on-site children and youth, family, and community-building programs for over 1,800 people on an annual basis. Learn more at www.newfutures.org.

About Southwest Youth & Family Services:

With a commitment spanning nearly 33 years, Southwest Youth & Family Services helps people use their own strengths to make what they want of their lives. We work to create an environment in which culturally and economically diverse families thrive and children succeed in education, work and life. Children, youth and families engage in education, early literacy, counseling, case management and family support services in White Center, South Park, Delridge, and West Seattle. Learn more at www.swyfs.org.

Navos CEO named visionary leader

ericm — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:01:17 +0000

ericm Thu, 03/07/2013 - 1:01pm

Navos CEO, Dr. David Johnson has received the “Visionary Leadership Award” by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. This photo of him was taken at the festive Discover Burien Awards Dinner March 1 when her received his "Non-Profit Leader of the Year" award, given to him by Discover Burien.

Photo by Steve Shay

Press release:

Navos is proud to announce that our CEO, Dr. David Johnson has been chosen for a prestigious “Visionary Leadership Award” by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

The Visionary Leadership award honors staff or volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the behavioral healthcare field and who exemplify the values and ideals embraced by the National Council.

Recipients have demonstrated superior, sustained commitment to quality behavioral healthcare and have had careers marked by significant contributions to the behavioral healthcare field and the consumers it serves.

Congratulations to David on this well deserved honor!

Highline High students raise awareness of humanitarian crisis in Africa

ericm — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:10:38 +0000

ericm Wed, 02/27/2013 - 5:10pm

Press release:

Highline High School Avid students are helping to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia and the Congo. After hearing a presentation about the crisis, they pledged to get involved in the One Million Bone Challenge.

AVID students will make 2,500 bones out of newspaper and masking tape. The bones, representing the commonality of all people and the strength of the human spirit, will be sent to Washington, D.C., where they will be part of a display on the National Mall in June.
AVID is a program to prepare students to be successful in college.
Highline High School AVID students participating in the project are: Jakeline Franco, Alex Rodriquez-Marquez, Citlaly Ramirez, David Villegas, Michael Devos, Veronica Gonzales, Mia Alvarez, Ivonne Aguiniga, and Jerry Lo. They have been assisted by Stephanie and Pauline from One-Million-Bones.

Highline staff members demonstrate generosity during holidays

ericm — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:09:26 +0000

ericm Wed, 01/02/2013 - 2:09pm

Academy of Citizenship & Empowerment staff donate to families in need

Press release:

Staff at the Academy for Citizenship and Empowerment (ACE) continue to demonstrate generosity and caring for their students and families that extends well beyond the classroom.

This holiday season 13 ACE families received personalized holiday wishes, along with a $150 Safeway Gift Card.

More than 80 percent of students at ACE qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch, one of the highest percentages in the district.

With many families struggling to make ends meet, ACE staff wanted to support students by providing something tangible to help with the cost of holiday meals.

For the past seven years, the team has provided grocery store gift cards to some of the schools’ neediest families. Shauna Pierson, counselor at ACE, coordinates the program.

This year the need has been the greatest across the seven years of gift-card giving. “Staff have been beyond generous,” said Janae’ Landis, ACE Principal. “This year more than $1,900.00 was donated by staff members at our school. A member of our team delivered the gift cards to the families just before Christmas.

“I continue to be amazed by the generosity of this staff and am proud to be a part of the community at the Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment.”

SeaTac

Highline Public Schools

Public Schools

Social Services

Highline Times

South King Fire & Rescue annual Food & Toy Drive kicks off

ericm — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:37:32 +0000

ericm Thu, 12/06/2012 - 3:37pm

Press release:

The Annual Community Food and Toy Drive for Des Moines and Federal Way has kicked into high gear.

Firefighters are asking once again for your help and generosity. The need will be more significant this year with the downturn of the economy.

Citizens may drop off donations of canned food or dry goods, new unwrapped toys (no stuffed animals please) or money at any South King Fire & Rescue Fire Station between Saturday, December 1st and Friday, December 21st. Donations of cash or checks made out to the “Community Food and Toy Drive” will also be collected. Delivery of food and toys is set for Saturday December 22nd.

The Annual Community Food & Toy Drive started in the 1980s with retired Fire Chief ML “Bud” Thorson and local community service clubs. When the program first started they were only able to help about 30 families.

Since that time, thanks to the continuing assistance and generosity of local service clubs, private businesses and neighborhood groups the program has grown.

In 2011 the Annual Community Food and Toy Drive provided a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and a week’s supply of food to 130 families and presents for 450 children.

Committee members make the rounds throughout the month and gather all the donations at Station 67 for sorting, wrapping and distribution. The money is used to purchase turkeys, supplement grocery items for each family, and provide the children with at least two wrapped gifts.

Committee members credit the Des Moines and Federal Way service clubs, schools, private businesses, neighborhood groups, and individuals for the success of this yearly drive. “Without the community’s support and generosity, we wouldn’t be able to provide for those families truly in need of a bright Christmas,” said Fire Department Captain Kevin Crossen, long-time Food and Toy Drive Committee Coordinator.

Past long time sponsors have been the Kiwanis Club of Federal Way, the Noon Lions, members from the Greater Federal Way Kiwanis, Federal Way Rotary Club, Gai’s Bakery, Federal Way High School, Decatur High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, Todd Beamer High School, Twin Cedars Mobile Home Park, South King Fire & Rescue Firefighters Foundation, Des Moines Lions and Rotary Clubs, Wilcox Dairy, Score Board Pub, Wal-Mart, Winco, and Baden Sports.

Each year they commit time, money, food, gifts, energy or other resources to the Drive. In addition there are many, many unnamed individuals who donate their time, food, gifts, and money to this worthy program.

South King Fire & Rescue Fire Stations are located at:
2238 S 223rd St. -Station 67 (Des Moines)
3203 South 360th St. -Station 61
31617 1st Ave. South -Station 62 (Headquarters)
33414 21st Ave. South -Station 63
3700 South 320th St. -Station 44
4966 South 298th St. -Station 65
27010 15th Ave. South -Station 66

Des Moines

Neighborhood Groups

Social Services

Emergency Preparedness/Safety

Highline Times

New Futures to open new center in Burien Tuesday

ericm — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:05:58 +0000

ericm Mon, 10/15/2012 - 3:05pm

Press release:

New Futures, the King County Housing Authority, and many partners including Woodridge Park residents, Congressman Jim McDermott, Burien Mayor Brian Bennett, and Highline School District Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield, will celebrate the grand opening of the new Woodridge Park/New Futures community center on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m.

Please join us! Community members and New Futures' Board of Directors, staff, participants, and supporters are invited to attend. The facility is located at Woodridge Park Apartments, 12424 28th Ave. South, in Burien.

Burien

Highline School District

Public Schools

Social Services

Highline Times

Feds award $3.6 Million grant for Obesity Prevention and Tobacco Control in Highline and south King County

ericm — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:03:55 +0000

ericm Mon, 10/01/2012 - 1:03pm

Seattle Children’s Hospital, Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC), and Healthy King County Coalition (HKCC) today announced the receipt of a two-year, $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Areas of focus include the cities of Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Kent, North Highline, Renton, SeaTac and Tukwila, and the Seattle neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Georgetown and South Park. This area has a combined population of more than 479,000.

The Community Transformation Grant (CTG) will fund Seattle Children’s Hospital and its partners to work collaboratively with youth, families and communities in South Seattle and South King County on obesity prevention and tobacco control, particularly among youth.

Administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CTG program is a comprehensive community health improvement initiative launched in 2011 and funded through the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. CTG funds support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities and control health care spending in small communities.

Children’s, PHSKC and HKCC will work with local governments, schools, hospitals, low-income housing groups, childcare and youth organizations to implement changes in communities that make healthy choices easier for children and families.

The grant will assist communities, institutions, and organizations in preventing obesity and tobacco use in three areas:
• Nutrition
o Increase availability and promotion of healthful and locally produced food and drinks in schools, hospitals and other public institutions.
o Reduce sugary drink consumption through community engagement, increased awareness and decreased availability of sugary drinks in organizations and institutions.

• Physical Activity
o Increase physical activity in schools, childcare and after-school programs.
o Make communities pedestrian and bicycle-friendly through changes in land use and planning policies.
o Improve access to public spaces for active recreation.

• Tobacco
o Create more smoke-free parks and public housing.

Overall, HHS awarded approximately $70 million in prevention grants to 40 awardees focused on improving the health of small communities across the nation. These new funds will support areas with fewer than 500,000 people in neighborhoods, school districts, villages, towns, cities and counties. Awardees represent organizations committed to improving health from a multitude of sectors.

This Seattle area grant is entitled “Transforming the Health of South King County: Working with small communities to reduce regional health inequities.” It is the third largest in the country given out in this round of the CTG. Grant leads include: Brian Saelens, PhD, health researcher at Seattle Children’s Hospital; Elizabeth Bennett, MPH, Director, Guest Services, Partnerships and Advocacy at Seattle Children’s Hospital; James Krieger, MD, MPH, Chief of Chronic Disease Prevention at Public Health - Seattle & King County; and Shelley Cooper-Ashford, Co-Chair of the Healthy King County Coalition.

King County Tobacco and Obesity Statistics
In 2010, King County students who reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days included 4 percent of 8th graders, 9 percent of 10th graders and 15 percent of 12th graders. This translates to at least 10,000 middle and high school cigarette smokers. Youth with the highest cigarette smoking rates are American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic/Latino.
One in five youth in King County is overweight or obese. Rates are highest among males, youth of color and those in South King County. The prevalence of obesity puts children at greater risk of being obese as adults and developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related illnesses. Adult obesity rates are 21 percent in King County and are estimated at 27 percent in the focus areas.
Quotes
• “South Seattle and South King County have a large and growing population of immigrant, ethnic and racial minority populations, are marked by health and social inequities and have burdens of chronic disease significantly higher than the rest of King County,” said Brian Saelens, PhD, health researcher and grant co-lead at Seattle Children’s Hospital. “At the same time, there is high interest and engagement from families, schools, cities, hospitals and others to work together to create sustainable, positive changes to support youth and families in being healthy. We expect our collaboration and work will reduce tobacco use and improve weight, nutrition and physical activity, especially among children and families, in these communities.”

• “Parents and schools work hard to give children opportunities to thrive and now, thanks to the partnerships and funding made possible through this grant, families will have more tools to help their families stay healthy and reach their full potential,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

• “The collective expertise and partnership of a major child health care organization (Seattle Children’s), a public health department (PHSKC), and a network of 30 organizations working to prevent chronic disease and eliminate health inequities (HKCC) together with the communities of South King County, brings together the complementary resources needed to make positive change,” said James Krieger, MD, MPH, grant co-lead and Chief of Chronic Disease Prevention at Public Health - Seattle & King County. “Together we can create healthier communities and encourage residents and organizations to become healthier.”

• “We are thrilled to hear of HHS’s decision to award a Community Transformation Grant to our region”, said HKCC Co-Chair Nicole Sanders. “HKCC members have seen first-hand the results this sort of funding can make. This work helps us to move, it increases the nutritional options for both the old and young and helps people to breathe easier. This work allows all of us to live more fulfilled lives.”

Update: Ex-candidate's appointment to SeaTac advisory committee stirs up controversy

ericm — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:33:31 +0000

ericm Thu, 07/12/2012 - 5:33pm

Fallout from a bitter SeaTac City Council election last fall remained Tuesday, July 10 as lawmakers voted on confirmation of the mayoral appointment of two alternates to a citizen’s advisory board.

Judith Williams was confirmed unanimously as Human Services Advisory Committee alternate.

However, the appointment of former city council candidate Othman Heibe to the same committee caused more controversy. He was eventually confirmed on a 4-3 vote.

A lengthy back-story is behind what is usually a routine vote on confirming residents who volunteer to serve on committees.

Back on Sept. 13, Heibe, who had lost a council primary race, accused then-Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher of violating the state code of ethics by using a city computer to support a candidate.

Heibe said Fisher sent an email accusing Councilwoman Mia Gregerson and King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson of using “Heibe as a “pawn.”

The email also contained an attachment apparently from Heibe’s campaign materials accusing Planning Commissioner Daryl Tapio of planning to close down Bow Lake Mobile Homes Park. The material also said Tapio was heavily funding a campaign for an elected mayor proposition.

Tapio denied both accusations.

Events got even more dramatic at the next council meeting when Deputy Mayor Fisher’s wife, Aileen Fisher, revealed she was the author of the emails to Gregerson and Patterson.

With extensive labor union backing, Barry Ladenburg beat Fisher, Gregerson was re-elected and the elected mayor proposition was defeated in the November election.

Fast forwarding to the July 10 council meeting, Earl Gipson, who spearheaded the elected mayor proposition, noted in public comments that Heibe had not apologized for what Gipson said were false statements.

During council discussion, Councilman Rick Forschler commented that Heibe had said on his volunteer application that he could not attend night meetings.

City Manager Todd Cutts replied that City Clerk Kristina Gregg had confirmed that Heibe could arrange his work schedule in order to attend evening meetings of the Human Services Committee.

Councilwoman Pam Fernald said the names of mayoral appointments to advisory board have normally been revealed at one council meeting and then voted on at the next meeting. City Clerk Gregg said the policy had recently been changed.

Mayor Tony Anderson, , Councilman Dave Bush, Gregerson and Ladenburg voted to confirm Heibe. Councilwoman Terry Anderson, Forschler and Fernald voted against.

Burien Eagles help Hospitality House

ericm — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:07:25 +0000

ericm Thu, 07/05/2012 - 2:07pm

Press release:

The Burien Eagles have been various generous in their donations to Hospitality House, the Burien shelter for homeless shelter for single women.

The total donation to Hospitality House was $2,796.

The donation was made in two ways; first the Burien Eagles purchased a full-size washer and dryer as the old smaller units were failing. The balance a check presented at a recent ceremony at the Burien Eagles’ club to Hospitably House Board member Priscilla Stephensen by Jim Tobolski, Val Rufner, Tim and Charlene Farnam of the Burien Eagles

The Eagles raised the funds by selling sliders on Thursday nights and the proceeds of a few Sunday breakfasts.