 The Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) is continuing its series of community conversations to receive YOUR input on issues related to the VSHSL as King County begins to plan for renewal.
Thank you to those who have joined us for a conversation this spring. We invite you to join us at our last conversation on Thursday, June 30. Please encourage your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to attend. The conversation is open to all King County residents.
Upcoming conversation:
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Thursday, June 30 from 5:30-7pm at the King County Veterans Program Northgate Office with the option for virtual attendance.
Click here to register for a Community Conversation.
 June 18th marked the one-year anniversary of the first Veteran being housed through the Collaborative Case Management (CCM) program. King County launched a first in the nation pilot program to help veterans experiencing homelessness connect to safe and stable housing in April 2021. The program combines the power of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), their federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers, the expertise of the King County Veterans Program (KCVP) social services staff, and housing navigation coordinated through the King County Housing Authority to increase utilization of federal housing vouchers to house more local Veterans in King County.
Since the launch of CCM to date, the program has helped 75 Veterans find and move into permanent housing and 133 (out of an initial allotment of 142) VASH vouchers were issued for Veterans to utilize to find housing so far.
Learn more about CCM’s first year.
Last month VSHSL-funded providers and the larger human services community gathered for the first-ever VSHSL Summit!
Over three days at the Museum of Flight providers shared experiences, engaged in new trainings and made connections with each other.
Video recordings of select trainings and presentations are available on the VSHSL training resources webpage for viewing. Trainings available to view include:
- Mental Health Literacy
- Housing Protections for Tenants in King County
- Countywide Nonprofit Wage & Benefits Survey
- Veteran Services and Resources
- Inclusion and access panel
- And more!
Learn more and watch recorded trainings.
 The VSHSL provides technical assistance and/or capacity building (TA/CB) support to small organizations funded by the VSHSL that are working to build their capacity to provide services. Eligible entities must have 1) fewer than 20 full-time equivalent staff and 2) an operating budget of less than $4 million in the fiscal year prior to the year of their awarded RFP application. If you are a subcontractor receiving VSHSL funding, you may also be eligible for TA/CB support!
TA/CB can support your organization’s capacity to better provide your VSHSL program’s services, helping you develop skills, competencies or infrastructure that help your organization’s sustainability and ability to administer services. TA/CB is generally not designed to support on-going needs. There are two ways to access TA/CB that may help your organization:
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TA/CB consulting services: Our VSHSL TA/CB Support program offers assistance from consultants in areas such as, but not limited to, human resources, budgeting/fiscal/accounting systems, information technology, data collection, reporting and evaluation, management coaching, marketing and communications, and more. Submit a request describing your assistance needs, and we’ll connect you to one of our partner consultants with the expertise needed to support you. To request TA/CB consulting services, complete the request form here.
• TA/CB grants: If you need TA/CB funds to cover costs associated with trainings, consulting services not covered above, tools and/or assets to improve internal processes of your organization, the VSHSL can issue TA/CB grants for eligible requests. To make a TA/CB grant request, please contact your Program Manager.
Please note that TA/CB resources are not guaranteed and are contingent on eligibility and available budget.
Questions? Contact your VSHSL Program Manager or Anne Masters at anne.masters@kingcounty.gov
 Veterans returning from military service often face challenges reintegrating into civilian life that can result in social isolation. Vets Engaged, a VSHSL program, seeks to reduce social isolation among veterans by funding programs that cultivate a sense of belonging amongst veterans, helping to bridge the “civilian-military divide” between veterans, servicemembers and the general population.
Applicants are invited to apply for $10,000 in funding for projects that provide King County veterans and their families social engagement and community-building activities with non-veterans.
Applications are due Wednesday, June 29, 2022 by 5pm.
To learn more and apply.
 Two VSHSL-funded providers, International Drop-In Center Filipino Senior & Family Services (IDIC) and Neighborhood House, were recently highlighted in a National Council on Aging article! The article features their work to customize the evidence-based program, Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS), to provide depression care that best meets the needs of older Asian Americans in their communities.
IDIC is part of a VSHSL-funded Senior Hub and Neighborhood House is funded to run Evidence-Based Senior Health Promotion programs, including their PEARLS program, and Caregiver Community Building services.
Read about how IDIC and Neighborhood House’s PEARLS programs are addressing depression among older adults.
 Congratulations to the following organizations that are awarded a combined total of $60,000 under the VSHSL Vets Engaged program to convene community-building events and networks that increase social connection for veterans and military servicemembers and their respective families in King County.
First round of 2022 Vets Engaged awardees and their Vets Engaged programs:
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American Legion Post 79 – “Veterans Ignite 2022”, quarterly events such as community meals and family fun activities including indoor and outdoor games and socializing, accompanied by food vendors and food trucks, and an annual event to be held at a local restaurant or brewery that will feature food and drink with live music for veterans to engage with the broader civilian community.
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Hitching Rail Wellness Center and Retreat – “Horses for Hope - Expanding to the BIPOC Veteran Community”, growing their equine therapy program, which works to relieve veterans’ PTSD and stress, to recruit and serve local BiPOC, LGBTQ+, and Tribal Veterans groups.
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Safe Homes – "She Got Golf Balls“, a golfing program for disabled women veterans that partners with the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, offering golf lessons and activities to veterans and non-veterans serving as recreational therapy to enhance physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
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Seattle Stand Down – “Engage & Thrive: A Support Group for Women Veterans”, two veteran support groups, featuring non-veteran guest speakers, networking events, and discussion of the workbook “Learning to Thrive: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” to guide discussions on family & personal life, health & wellness, and vocation.
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Veteran Rites – “Veteran Vibrations: Sound Meditation Groups for Veterans and Allies”, partnering with a project called “Listening to Smile” to offer sound vibration meditation sessions for veterans, family members, and civilian friends based on specific frequencies and vibrations that will help soothe anxiety and promote healing.
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VFW Post 3063 / Urban Artworks – “Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063 Community Mural Project”, a collaboration between the Post and Urban Artworks on a painted mural project for the Ballard Eagleson VFW Post 3063 building, which also serves the local community. The project brings together veterans, children, seniors, neighbors, and local business owners to paint side-by-side.
Learn more about Vets Engaged.
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DCHS is on Instagram! We are proud to announce the new King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Instagram account: @kingcountydchs! Follow along to learn more about DCHS’ work in King County supporting behavioral health, child care, housing and more! |
Skyway Grandmother lifts her community with non-profit Women United Seattle, King 5
In an effort to promote connections and highlight efforts by service providers in the VSHSL and wider King County network, we are sharing the resources below. Please note that the below was not created by, nor does their inclusion constitute endorsement by, the VSHSL or DCHS ASD. If you have a community resource you would like to share for potential inclusion in The Hub, please click here.
Child Care Resources Veteran Student Child Care Subsidy
To learn more and apply.
King County Disability Consortium webinar recordings
Understanding Ableism: part I - X
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