 Rep. Tina Orwall (D-33) speaks about the Housing Trust Fund at CEH's Legislative Breakfast on Jan 7
On Wednesday, January 7, CEH hosted our ninth annual legislative breakfast at the Mercer Island Community Center. The breakfast brought together state level elected officials with mayors and councilmembers from across King County to hear about how our 2015 legislative priorities fit in with our regional commitment to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time.
Elected officials heard powerful testimony from Shelby, a formerly homeless beneficiary of housing trust fund, about the significant impact investments in affordable housing can have on people working to exit homelessness. They also heard from Solid Ground president Gordon McHenry and REACH board president Lainey Sickinger about innovative, collaborative strategies being utilized by faith, business, and non-profit partners in King County. Read CEH’s full 2015 legislative priorities here.
In 2005, our community, along with every county in Washington and most major cities across the country, set the ambitious goal of ending homelessness in ten years. Homelessness remains a crisis here in King County, and we must act urgently and strategically. CEH drafted a new strategic plan to pivot from our past work.
You can learn more and comment on the draft plan here.
 CEH hosts a screening of documentary The Homestretch alongside Mockingbird Youth, New Horizons, and YouthCare at the Northwest Film Forum on Jan 12 at 7PM. Given unprecedented access to the Chicago School System, The Homestretch follows three homeless youth as they brave Chicago winters, the pressures of high school, and life alone on the streets to build a brighter future. Against all odds, these kids defy stereotypes as they create new, surprising definitions of home. The award winning feature will be followed by a panel discussion led by CEH’s Megan Gibbard which covers how homeless youth and young adult issues in King County compare to the circumstances described in the film.
To purchase a ticket for this screening, visit the Northwest Film Forum’s website.
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KUOW aired a story on December 27 featuring CEH Consumer Advisory Committee member Eddy Mahon. In the piece he speaks about his experience as Housing Manager and former client of CCS’ Aloha Inn. You can read/listen to the story here.
 Count Us In, our community’s daylong count of homeless and unstably housed youth and young adults, will take place on January 22, 2015. Count Us In will again take place alongside the One Night Count (which occurs between 2am and 5am on January 23) and is a complementary effort to provide a more detailed look at YYAs experiencing homelessness in our community. Contact Samantha.wiese@kingcounty.gov for more information.
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 The United Way’s Free Tax Campaign offers 100% FREE tax preparation services to low-income families (anyone making under $60,000 can receive services) in King County. There are 25 locations with daytime, evening, and weekend hours available. Along with tax preparation, clients can get connected to public benefits and other financial empowerment services. Services are available in a wide range of languages. Click here for additional details.
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 The Moth – an acclaimed non-profit dedicated to the art and craft of personal stories told live – is coming to Seattle in February 2015 to host two storytelling workshops in partnership with the Seattle University Project on Family Homelessness. The workshops will be offered free of charge, and will be made available to a total of sixteen people. The major purpose of these workshops is to develop the storytelling skills within family homelessness providers and advocacy organizations in the Puget Sound region. Click here to learn how to apply to be a participant.
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The Multi-Service Center’s THRIVE program offers employment training to help people exit homelessness. The program could help participants with job readiness, resume development, interview skills, individualized employment plans and more. Contact Melanie Mairs, Melaniem@mschelps.org, for more information.
 A troubling statistic: up to forty percent of the nation’s homeless youth are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer. Many of them of them kicked out, disowned by families who won’t accept who they are. They find themselves rejected, living in the shadows, with few places to turn for shelter and emotional support . Leaders in the LGBTQ movement are calling for increased support for these kids. Listen to On Point’s coverage here.
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 Visit Seattle City Hall on Friday, January 9, from 4-6 p.m for the opening reception for The Incredible Intensity of Just Being Human, an art exhibit dedicated to ending the stigma of mental illness. The conversation continues in January and February through a series of lunch time exhibit tours and talks on subjects ranging from caretaker care, the practice of companioning, and addiction and mental illness.
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 Join the North Urban Human Services alliance for a free screening of American Refugees on Wednesday, January 21 at 7pm at the Bothell United Methodist Church. The program consists of four animated short films about real families, homelessness, and resilience. Learn more about the program here.
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Critical Time Intervention (CTI) is a focused, time-limited approach to case management that connects people with community supports as they transition into housing from homelessness or institutional settings such as prisons and hospitals. Starting on March 26, 2015, t3 offers a course to give agencies the tools they need to implement CTI. The course brings together national CTI experts, a team-based learning approach, and engaging multimedia technology. It also covers CTI principles, evidence for CTI, phases of CTI, and skills for implementation. Register here.
The United Way of King County offers funding to help homeless and formerly homeless people with serious co-occurring disorders (COD) to achieve or maintain housing stability. The application is open from January 5 through February 2, 2015 and you can attend an Information Session on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at United Way of King County. Email Neil Powers, NPowers@uwkc.org, for more information.
Governing Board
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, January 28 / 8:30 - 10:30 / Cherberg Building, 304 15th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501, Hearing Room 2
Agenda Topics: CEH Strategic Plan, Legislative Advocacy
Recent Meeting: Oct 22, 2014
Discussed: CEH Strategic Plan and 2015 Legislative Agenda
Interagency Council (IAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, January 12 / 1:30 - 4:30 / Seola Gardens Community Center 11350 5th Ave SW, Seattle (White Center) WA 98146
Agenda Topics: CEH Strategic Plan, Family Housing Connection
Recent Meeting: Strategic Plan Update, Coordinated Assessment & Integration, Performance Targets
Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, January 21 / 6 - 7:30pm / Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle
Agenda Topics: Strategic Plan Update and Input
The Family Homelessness Initiative staff host monthly information sessions on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to talk with local stakeholders (providers and funders) about the work of the Initiative. This is an opportunity to hear about current projects, what is coming up next, to ask questions and provide input. NOTE: Beginning July 2014, these sessions will be held from 9:00-10:00am and immediately followed by the Family Housing Connection (FHC) feedback session.
Reoccurring: 3rd Wednesdays each month 9:00 – 10:00 am at varying locations
Next meeting: January 21st at the 2100 Building, 2100 24th Ave S., Seattle, WA - Art Room
Immediately followed by FHC feedback meeting from 10:00 to 11:00am
Contact Triina Tennelo for more information: 206.263.9110 or triina.tennelo@kingcounty.gov or visit the Initiative website for more information.
The monthly YYA Stakeholder Forums provide a monthly opportunity to hear about the changes planned for our homeless youth and young adult system in King County. Please check the YYA Webpage for updates. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan to Prevent and End Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in King County contact Megan Gibbard (megan.gibbard@cehkc.org) or visit the YYA Webpage. To be added to the YYA stakeholder email list, which provides bi-weekly updates on the initiative, email Carrie.Hennen@cehkc.org.
January YYA Stakeholder Forum replaced by Count Us In debrief on Tuesday Jan 27, 2-3:30pm, 2100 Building (2100 24th Ave S, Seattle, WA)
 South King County Forum on Homelessness
Contact: Manuela Ginnett, manuelag@multi-servicecenter.com or Jo Cherland, johannac@ccsww.org. The SKC Forum on Homelessness meets the 1st Wed. of every month at 9–10:30am at Kent Commons, 525 – 4th Ave N. SKC Forum on Homelessness web address: http://kentwa.gov/content.aspx?id=2728
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, Jan 7, from 9:00 to 10:30am at Kent Commons (525 – 4th Avenue N.)
Eastside Homelessness Advisory Committee (EHAC)
Contact: Arthur Sullivan ASullivan@bellevuewa.gov. EHAC coordinates homeless housing & service activities in East King County. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Thursday of the month, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way NE (just south of 520)
Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, Jan 8, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue (1717 Bellevue Way NE)
Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness (ITFH)
The ITFH works among, between, and within the faith community and seeks to create the political will to end homelessness using targeted education, outreach and advocacy. Typical Meeting Schedule: 3rd Wednesday of the month, noon-1:30pm at St. Mark’s. Contact: Bill Kirlin-Hackett at itfh@comcast.net or (425) 442-5418.
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, Jan 21, 2014, noon – 1:30p.m. at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle
University District Conversation on Homelessness
Contact: Nathalie Gerhke. Monthly Gathering share thoughts and strategies on local and regional concerns around homelessness. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Monday of the month, 9 – 11:30 am. Meetings rotate throughout the U District, and frequently at University Congregational Church though location may change.
Upcoming Meeting: Monday, Jan 12, 9-11:30 a.m. at University Christian Church at 15th Ave and 50th St. N.E., Seattle
University District Service Provider’s Alliance
Contact: udsp.spt@gmail.com U-District Service Provider’s Alliance share information relevant to working with homeless youth and young adults, program updates, and neighborhood updates. A service provider debrief follows each meeting. Typical Meeting Schedule: 2nd Wednesday of the month, 11am-12:30pm
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, Jan 14, 11am to 12:30pm, Street Youth Ministires
Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH)
The General meeting is the 3rd Thurs of each month, 9-11am at E Cherry YWCA. Learn more and sign up for meeting reminders at www.homelessinfo.org
General Meeting: Thursday, Jan 15, from 9:00 to 11:00am, E. Cherry YWCA 2820 E. Cherry St.
Agenda Topics: Legislative Session Updates, One Night Count preparation
SKCCH Youth & Young Adults: Tuesday, Jan 13, from 10:00 to 11:30am, All Pilgrims Christian Church (509 10th Ave E)
Agenda Topics: Vision refresh
SKCCH Single Adults Advocacy: Thursday, Jan 8, from noon to 1:30pm, Plymouth's Simons Apts 2119 3rd Ave.
Agenda Topics: Housing and Homeless Advocacy Day planning
SKCCH Families with Children: Thursday, Jan 28, from 9 to 11am, E. Cherry St. YWCA 2820 E Cherry St.
Agenda Topics: Dental care access for families with children
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