[DOH Community Collaborative] 988 Meeting Next Steps, Funding Opportunities, and More

Dear Community,

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to advancing equity in Washington. In light of the myriad challenges facing public health, your efforts remain vital in supporting marginalized and disproportionately impacted populations across our state. We encourage you to hold on to hope as we support each other in making a meaningful difference in our communities.

In this edition you will find:

• Community Collaborative
• DOH and HCA Leadership Roles
• Funding
• Events
• Community Resources
• Legislative Education
• In Case You Missed It
• Events or Photos to Share?

Community Collaborative

Review the summary of last week’s Community Collaborative meeting in which we discussed the Urban Indian Initiative and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

Compensation is available to share this 988 Short Video and materials from 988 Presentation (English) and 988 Presentation (PPT) (Español) with your community.  We will follow up with questions about Q&As regarding privacy and confidentiality as well as additional Spanish-language resources and reconvene on May 7 to discuss.  Please email Community.Collaborative@doh.wa.gov for details or to be added to this meeting. 

Our next Community Collaborative meetings are as follows:

• March 12 at 3:30p.m. emergency preparedness and Health Equity Zones.
• April 9 at 3:30p.m. community conversation, updates on funding and more.

NEW! You asked us who else was a part of the Community Collaborative. We started this document for those who would like to share their contact information with others. Please add your details as you are comfortable.

DOH and HCA Leadership Roles

It’s never been more important to hire leaders who recognize the important role of community partners in public health.  Applications are open for the Department of Health Secretary and Director of the Health Care Authority.  Please share with your networks as the first round of review will be February 24!

Funding

Robert Wood Johnson has two exciting opportunities for Community-Based Organizations:
Applications for Local Data for Equitable Communities are due March 18.
Exploring Equitable Futures applications are due Oct 15.

Child care facilities in King County can apply for the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot by March 7. Eligible workers will receive quarterly payments up to $2,080 for full-time and $1,040 for part-time, through 2027.

Events

TOMORROW Feb 21 at 11AM, the University of Washington ARCH Center is hosting "Mainline Mama: A Conversation with Dr. Keeonna Harris."  This event will celebrate the work of Dr. Keeonna Harris — writer, storyteller, mother of five, activist, and prison abolitionist. Register here.

Feb 25 at 10AM, Health Begins webinar Complying in Advance: Understanding Risks and Opportunities for Health Equity Work In a Time of Uncertainty.

Feb 26 at 11AM, join the South King County Community Impact Fund at the Port of Seattle for an in-person program on economic opportunities for communities.

March 24-26 in Spokane is the NW Rural Health Conference.  

Community Resources

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) created this advisory resource document for nonprofit organizations and social services providers regarding immigration enforcement. The Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs Rapid Response Hub has a newsletter, details on the legislative session, and employment opportunities available in English and Español.

Are you part of the SeaTac, Burien, or Tukwila communities? Please share what health priorities are important to you through this online survey, translated into several languages: Dari, English, Français, Oromo, Pashto, Português, Español, Somali.

Please share!  The Seattle King County Clinic with free dental, vision, and medical care will be held at Seattle Center from April 24 ^– 27. Care is provided first come, first served and patients do not need ID or proof of income to receive care.  

Want to get a COVID-19 or flu vaccine? Or get a blood pressure screening?  Browse the upcoming places you can find the Care-a-Van.

Legislative Education

Listen to the Public Health is Essential podcast by the Washington State Public Health Association (WSPHA). Keep up with Washington Legislative Sesson. Learn about the bills, meetings, and sessions here.

Community partners can bring their priorities to their legislators or participate in one of the upcoming legislative education days below:

• March 6: Washington State Public Health Association 2025 Legislative Education Day
• March 10: Latino Legislative Day
• March 14: Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day
• March 14: Statewide Poverty Action Network
• Through March 26: 2025 Advocacy Days with The Arc of Washington - Browse the virtual opportunities including education, community living, workforce, and budget.

In Case You Missed It

Learn more about Washington State’s first-ever Community Assemblies with support from the Climate Commitment Act.

Events or Photos to Share?

NOTE:  We are working to find balance in the benefits and costs associated with translation. If you would like to share this or any part of this newsletter in another language, please email Community.Collaborative@doh.wa.gov and we will work with you to translate into the language(s) needed.

Estamos trabajando para encontrar un equilibrio entre los beneficios y costos asociados con la traducción. Si desea compartir esto o alguna parte de estos materiales en Español, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a Community.Collaborative@doh.wa.gov y trabajaremos con juntos con usted para traducir.

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Updates/Information

What is the Community Collaborative? |  WaPortal.org