Tonight in King County, more than 1,000 young people may find themselves without a safe place to go. Some are abandoned, some are abused, and few know where to get help. Within 48 hours on the streets, one in three runaways will be approached by a predator.

Now there is help. When a young person in crisis needs help, all he or she has to do is approach any Metro bus driver and say, “I need a safe place.” The operator will then make a call that will trigger contact with a youth service provider, who will arrange to meet and transport the youth to safety.

For more information:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/NewsCenter/NewsReleases/2011/August/nr083111_SafePlace.aspx

or http://www.youthcare.org/about-youthcare/news/youthcare-king-county-metro-provide-%E2%80%9Csafe-place%E2%80%9D-youth-crisis

On October 21, 2011, 25 organizations and coalitions representing the collective voice of human service professionals and the residents served throughout Washington sent a letter to Governor Gregoire and State Legislators titled:  Find Another Way. The governor and state were urged to work together to create a solution to the latest budget crisis that does not further penalize the most vulnerable in our state.

To read the letter and view the signees:

     Find_Another_Way_letter_EHSF_11-3-11.pdf 

Feedback from the letter:

"Thank you for your email. I will not be voting to cut the needed services of our most vulnerable citizens...especially when there are areas of government that CAN be reduced to save money and provide better services...Cheryl Marshall

I agree with you. What are the suggestions of this great group of people?...Sen. Christine Rolfes

Thank you for yor e-mail. I share your concerns and I will work to see that our most vulnerable citizens are protected and instead, cuts be made in the agency administrations before being made to programs.This approach would assure that those who need help the most are the ones who get it and that those who can take care of themselves are asked to do so....Ed. Orcutt

King County Executive Dow Constantine proposes to reinvest $1 million in savings achieved through internal efficiencies in ways that will catalyze further efficiencies or quality improvements in community based organizations.

Funds will target one-time needs and awards will be less than $25,000. This fund will promote equity by prioritizing culturally competent organizations serving low-income families or individuals, particularly immigrants and refugees.

For more information: Human Services Capacity Building Fund.pdf 

Earned Income Tax Credit Can Put Money in Your Pocket

You could be cheating yourself at tax time, even if you are not required to file a tax return. The IRS estimates that one in four eligible taxpayers will overlook the Earned Income Tax Credit – or EITC. Last year the average return for Washington State filers was $1985 and the maximum is up to $5600. It is estimated that the EITC program returns more than $4 million each year to eligible North King County residents. Non traditional families such as grandparents raising grand children, childless workers, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency are among those most likely to overlook the credit.

Bring the documents you need to get the EITC you deserve including driver’s license or photo identification, Social Security cards for all persons listed on the return, all income statements (W-2, Social Security, Unemployment) or other documents showing taxes withheld and prior year’s return if available. If you want your refund directly deposited into your bank or credit union, bring a voided check or bank statement with your account identification.

Free tax preparation sites to help you file your 2010 return and get the EITC refund, if you qualify:

King County Library Sites:

Richmond Beach Branch, 19601 21^st Ave. NW, Fridays 10AM to 4PM beginning February 4^th. Tax filers should schedule an appointment by calling (206) 365-1536. The site operates until April 15^th. Appointments have priority but walk-ins will be accommodated as time permits.

Shoreline Library, 345 NE 175^th St., Thursdays February 3^rd  - April 14^th  4:30 to 8:00 PM. Saturdays February 5 – April 9, Noon to 4:00 PM. No appointment necessary.

Bothell Library, 18215 98^th Ave N.E., February 3^rd – April 15^th,

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Hopelink Shoreline Center, 15809 Westminster (Aurora Square next to Marshall’s), starting January  19^th,  Wednesday and Thursday’s 5:00 – 9:00 PM and Saturday’s 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. No appointment necessary. The site operates until April 14^th.

For a list of all free tax preparation sites in King County call 2-1-1.

To qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, tax filers must have incomes under the limits listed below.

• $13,440 ($18,440 married filing jointly) if you do not have a qualifying child.
• $35,463 ($40,463 married filing jointly) if you have one qualifying child.
• $40,295 ($45,295 married filing jointly) if you have two qualifying children.
• $43,279 ($48,279 married filing jointly) if you have three or more qualifying children.
• Investment income cannot be more than $3,100.

Families with children may also apply for the Child Tax Credit, worth up to $1,000 per qualifying child. Additional credits are also available to working families for the cost of child care, but you will need to bring documentation of your child care expenses including the child care agency’s tax I.D. or the Social Security number of the provider.

Flyer:  North King County Flyer.pdf 

As you may know, the Committee to End Homelessness is conducting a Mid Plan Review of the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.  We want to hear from the community which key policy questions are most important to address in the second half of the Ten-Year Plan.  The essential dates are below, a pdf of the flyer is attached.

Ten-Year Plan Mid Plan Review Community Meetings

Tues. March 1^st   New Holly Gathering Hall   4 – 5:30 pm

7050 32^nd Ave S., Seattle, approximately four blocks west of MLK Jr. Way S. & S. Othello

Wed. March 2^nd  SeaTac City Hall             9 – 10:30 am

4800 S. 188^th St, SeaTac, just off I-5 at exit 152

Wed. March 2^nd   Bellevue City Hall          4 – 5:30 pm

450 110th Ave. NE., near the Bellevue Transit Center

A final note:  Mark your calendars also for April 25^th & 26^th, when CEH will host a second series of broad community meetings, in the form of a charrette, at which we will hold in-depth discussions of selected key policy questions that arise at these March community meetings. Specific times, locations and policy questions to be discussed will be sent out late March.

Flyer: 10YP Mid Plan Review March Flyer.pdf 

NUHSA’s Election Wrap-Up

 Thanks to everyone who voted in this important election! Here’s a summary of results and some important next steps.

New faces representing North King County:

Over 20 new lawmakers were elected across Washington State, four of which are here in North King County. These newly elected leaders need to hear from you about your priorities and about the need for a strong system of human services serving our communities.

32^nd District:

Senate Maralyn Chase

House- Cindy Ryu

House- Ruth Kagi (incumbent)

1^st District:

House- Derek Stanford

House- Luis Moscuso

Senate- Rosemary McAuliffe (incumbent- was not up for election)

45^th District:

Senate- Andy Hill

House- Roger Goodman (incumbent)

House- Larry Springer(incumbent)

Come meet these state lawmakers in person! Join NUHSA, FACES, and the Northshore/Human Services Consortium as we share information on the needs in their districts before our lawmakers head to Olympia.

Lake Forest Park City Hall

December 16, 2010

8:30-10:00 am

Breakfast provided

There will be a short presentation on the needs in North King County and the work of NUHSA, FACES, and Consortium, an opportunity to hear the legislators’ priorities for the 2011 session, and a chance to ask questions.

Local Revenue Measures:

King County Prop 1: Although this measure did not pass and the resulting cuts to public safety will be troubling, it is worthwhile to remember that KC Prop 1 was not a referendum on human services.  Human services would have received just a small amount in the package as it finally went to voters and would likely have been cut within a matter of years. We will work together with our partners across the County to continue to search for a dedicated, stable, adequate source of funding for human services.

Shoreline Prop 1: This measure passed, preserving funding for basic public safety and community and human services in Shoreline

Initiatives:

As a result of the passage of Initiative 1053, a two-thirds vote will now be required to raise new revenue, or to close tax loopholes- making harder to fill the budget holes with funds instead of cuts. Just 17 out of 147 state legislators will have the power to block new revenue.

Initiative 1107 passed, rolling back a successful campaign last year to protect basic services by taxing extras like soda, and including candy in the regular sales tax. The revenue helped protect critical programs like Apple Health for Kids and the range of hunger-relief programs from deep cuts last year. Passage of 1107 will mean the loss of $272 million over the next three years.

Initiatives 1100 and 1105 to privatize liquor stores both failed, protecting funds in state and local budgets for education, general services, and addiction prevention and treatment programs.

I-1098, which would have raised revenue by enacting an income tax on high-earners, also failed to pass.

If you or someone you know are having difficulty paying for heat this winter and face living without heat, several programs are available to low income households to make home energy use more affordable, avoid shutoff of utility services during the winter, and maintain a warm and safe environment especially for the elderly, the disabled, and households with young children.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (or LIHEAP) is a federally funded program to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home heating needs. The program provides:

• Heating bill assistance up to $1000 annually
• Energy conservation education
• Support for window repair up to $1000, chimney cleaning, and furnace repair or replacement up to $5000
• Eviction prevention up to $500

Another program, Puget Sound Energy’s HELP provides assistance with the cost of natural gas consumption to qualified Puget Sound Energy (PSE) natural gas customers with an account in their name or in the name of a member of their household. HELP Provides:

• Puget Sound Energy customers help with their home energy costs and
• Natural gas bill assistance up to $1000 annually

Both these programs do not require that your household have a disconnection notice or even overdue bills in order to be eligible.