The Human Services Needs Assessment, conducted over the past year, provides an analysis of the current human services landscape, identifies gaps in service delivery, and outlines key areas for investment. The information gained – drawn from data and lived experience - on the broad spectrum of human service needs and gaps in service are essential to developing human services strategies that are responsive to the needs of all community members. The assessment will also provide a touchstone for monitoring progress towards desired goals and objectives for the City’s Human Services team and the community. 

Key Components of the Assessment: 

• Guiding Principles: Principles that guided the work of the needs assessment and will be utilized for future strategic planning and implementation of Human Services initiatives.  

• Key Findings: Six key themes emerged from the community outreach and data analysis: challenges related to resource knowledge and navigation, local services and spaces, affordability, limited transportation options, youth mental health and human services workforce. 

• Grant Funding Priorities: Several priorities for human services investment emerged from the findings: 1) Resource/service navigation; 2) Housing affordability and prevention of homelessness; 3) Youth mental health; 4) Service access and affordability for older adults, including those living in manufactured home communities; and 5) Transportation support.  In addition to these funding priorities, input from the needs assessment emphasized the value of focusing human services investments on local nonprofits. 

Full report accessible here: 2024 Kenmore Human Services Needs Assessment 

“It is really important that the City of Kenmore chose to invest in this foundational work,” said Tambi Cork, the City’s Housing and Human Services Manager. “This assessment provides us with a clear understanding of our community’s needs and will guide our efforts to develop targeted, effective solutions. Our goal is to work across systems to decrease these gaps, and ensure that every resident has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.” 

Read the full report here, and learn more about this process on the City’s Human Services Needs Assessment webpage.  

In response to the findings, the City of Kenmore will be forming a term-limited Human Services Advisory Group to work closely with the City’s Housing and Human Services Manager to develop a strategic plan that addresses the identified needs. The Advisory Committee will play a pivotal role in shaping and guiding human services policy and initiatives.  

Advisory Committee members with an interest in human services as evidenced by knowledge, support and experience are critical to creating a strategic plan that is localized to the needs and priorities of the City of Kenmore. Those with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility experience and/or lived experience with human services needs are encouraged to apply.  

This is a term-limited group, from October 2024 until no later than June 2025. Interested and qualified community members may apply via this online form prior to 5 p.m. Monday, October 21.  Community members may also be nominated for consideration by others, via an email to the Housing and Human Services Manager, Tambi Cork, at tcork@kenmorewa.gov prior to 5 p.m. Monday, October 21. By October 25, 2024, the HHS Manager, with the approval of the City Manager, will notify selected individuals. 

Visit the Human Services Advisory Group Application before 5 p.m. on Monday, October 21 to apply, and learn more about the Advisory Committee by reading the Human Services Advisory Group Charter.  

For more information about Housing and Human Services, visit kenmorewa.gov/humanservices or contact Tambi Cork at tcork@kenmorewa.gov.