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 Dear friends and neighbors,
The first six months in this role have gone quickly! I’ve learned a lot from county colleagues, community partners, and District Four constituents on the interconnected set of issues facing our county and the many, many strategies to address them. That’s why during the week of July 4th, my team and I set aside some time for a mid-year check-in. It served as an important opportunity to reflect on what we’ve accomplished so far and strategize how best to tackle all the work before us with the main goal of improving the lives of King County residents. Our community’s success depends on the well-being of our neighbors and it’s important that my team stays rooted in that belief as I represent you on the Council. I’d like to extend gratitude to the Phinney Neighborhood Center for welcoming us!
Read on for opportunities to get involved with King County through commissions and listening sessions, learn about some incredible community organizations, and how to apply for funding from the Department of Community and Human Services.
With gratitude,
 Jorge
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2023-24 Supplemental Budget Update
Budgets represent our values. This month, I joined my colleagues in passing the latest supplemental county budget, the third “omnibus,” a bill that includes revisions of the entire budget, for the 2023-24 biennium.
My focus with this budget was to ensure that our county invests in the work that uplifts residents and our region as a whole. I appreciated my colleagues’ support for my proposals for increased investments in eviction prevention and rental assistance, and civil legal aid to assist newly arrived asylum seekers, including to obtain work permits so people can build stability. I was also thrilled to allocate grant funding to fourteen organizations that work every day to improve the health, safety, and well-being of residents in District 4.
The county continues to draw upon federal COVID relief funds, which have been a lifeline to minimize the greatest impacts of the pandemic. However, these funds sunset at the end of this year. In order to prepare for this, the county must continue to be creative and bold in our pursuit of options to meet our needs today, while building our fiscal strength for the future.
This fall, the Council will consider both a final omnibus budget for the 2023-24 biennial budget and a budget for the 2025 fiscal year. Please stay involved for future opportunities to provide me and the Council with input.
Law and Justice Committee Update
If you read last month’s enews, you may recall that the Law and Justice committee (which I chair) discussed a motion sponsored by Councilmember Dunn declaring the Council’s intent to maintain the secure detention center for youth at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center at its June meeting. At last week’s meeting of the committee, we again picked up consideration of this legislation. As a reminder, a motion passed by the Council signals policy intent, but does not hold the force of law.
I believe it is important to explore alternatives to the current system of youth detention because there is significant evidence that this system causes harm to youth in our custody and undermines our long-term public safety goals by not providing meaningful intervention early enough. For that reason, I introduced an amendment to Councilmember Dunn’s proposal that makes clear that the current juvenile detention facility will remain in operation until and unless viable alternatives are identified, and the council takes further action to pursue such alternatives. In my view, the motion as introduced is really intended to reject a process that is underway to explore alternative avenues to hold youth accountable and enhance public safety, which is why I decided to offer an amendment. While I recognize the need to continue the operations of the current juvenile detention center, I believe it is inappropriate for us to reject a process that may identify better alternatives before the process is finished and proposals are before us.
After our discussion last week, the committee was not able to reach a consensus on the language reflecting this expression of policy intent. However, we unanimously agreed that this was a subject worthy of additional debate before the full council, which will take up the matter in late August.
In addition to our discussions regarding the juvenile detention center, the committee also received briefings on two reports: one on transit safety and security and another on programming for adults in detention. To see a full recording of the meeting, click here.
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 Joined by staff members of the Seattle Public Library in Fremont.
Brewing Conversations at the Seattle Public Library in Fremont
I hosted the second Brewing Conversations, an event in which I invite residents to meet me for an informal conversation about topics that are important to you. Keep an eye out for the next Brewing Conversations in the fall.
I appreciated the hospitality of the staff at the Seattle Public Library in Fremont, who work every day to help members of the community. As for many of you, libraries hold a special place in my heart, where I spent many hours as a child and where I’ve spent time with my own family. If you need some quiet time amongst your summer activities, check out Seattle Public Library’s Book Bingo, an annual event in partnership with Seattle Arts & Lectures.
 Pictured here at FamilyWorks with Rehana Lanewala, Director of Communications and Marcia Wright-Soika, Executive Director.
Visiting FamilyWorks in Wallingford
I had a great visit with Marcia Wright-Soika and Rehana Lanewala at FamilyWorks in Wallingford earlier this month. FamilyWorks does incredible work stabilizing community members throughout District 4, especially parents and young children. Early learning, family supports, and healthy food are critical to childhood development, and as King County continues to confront our childcare crisis, I am heartened to see the incredible work that organizations like FamilyWorks are doing to support parents and kids in our district.
 On the left: speaking with Kristopher Larsen at the Filipino Community Center; on the right: photo with Rick Polintan, David Della, Agnes Navarro, and Edwin Obras.
Visiting the Filipino Community Center
We had a great morning touring the Filipino Community Center in South Seattle. The Filipino Community Center provides services for the Filipino community throughout the county, and I was thrilled to see the breadth and depth of culturally relevant programming available to all ages. During our tour, I heard about the center’s programming for young people, training for workers, supportive housing, and elder services. It’s clear that the Center brings essential care, joy, community, and cultural pride to neighbors of all ages throughout the region.
 Pictured here with Madeline Grant, Chief Administrative Officer, and Kellie Hurley, Associate Administrator.
Touring the County’s Hospital - Harborview Medical Center
Touring Harborview Medical Center, King County’s hospital, was a highlight of my month. Owned by King County and operated by UW Medicine via a service agreement since 1970, Harborview fulfills a truly unique role in our region, holding at its core service to the mission population, and serving as the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Washington and the surrounding multi-state area. It's a place where care is available for all, with a focus on serving people who are un- and under-insured, are survivors of assault and violence, are in need of behavioral health care, or have had other experiences that Harborview identifies as part of their mission population.
During the tour, I visited spaces that will be improved as part of the current Harborview Capital Bond project, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2020. This includes the Emergency Department, where improvements will allow for smoother operations and more capacity, behavioral health service areas, and construction of single-patient bedrooms, which will improve infection control and improve the healing environment.
Unfortunately, due to inflation and global supply chain issues, the anticipated costs to complete the capital improvements envisioned in 2020 has grown significantly. The county must work to identify funding options to cover the forecast growth in cost. Last year, the county generated a report to recommend where existing funds should be invested. Over the coming months, I will join my colleagues in considering options for county-generated funding as part of a broader funding strategy to ensure that Harborview can maintain its level of service to all patients.
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Consider joining me on the Board of Health!
The King County Board of Health expanded in 2023 to include more members of the community it serves. The Board is currently accepting applications to fill one vacancy for a member representing consumers of public health. The “Consumer of Public Health” positions represent King County residents who self-identify as having faced significant health inequities and having lived experiences with public health-related programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), home visiting, or treatment services. This seat serves as an alternate to regular voting members when they are not able to participate in the Board meetings, and the term for this appointment will begin in 2025. More information on the roles and responsibilities of this position can be found here.
Applications must be received by August 6, 2024.
 Join the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission
The Office of Equity and Social Justice and King County Council are currently recruiting for multiple vacant positions on the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission (KCIRC).
Interested community members can access application materials on the KCIRC website, apply online, or by email. Applicants may include the following documents in support of their application but are not required:
- Resume
- Letter of Interest
- Professional Certificates or Licenses
Selected applicants must submit ten (10) endorsement signatures and two (2) letters of recommendation online or via email at kcirc@kingcounty.gov within 4 weeks of being notified. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Please contact KCIRC staff liaisons at kcirc@kingcounty.gov if you have any questions or need language or technical assistance.
 Make your voice heard! Attend a virtual community listening session on behavioral health
King County’s local behavioral health sales tax provides about $80 million per year to be invested in mental health and substance use programming. The Department of Community and Human Services wants to hear from you on how these local funds can serve the community better, so they’ll be hosting 20 virtual listening sessions to hear from you. You can find out more information and sign up here.
On Site Sewage System Code Revision survey now open
King County is updating its local On Site Sewage codes to make sure they comply with recent changes to state codes. This is also an opportunity to make changes to improve septic regulations in King County. Learn more about this process, including possible code revisions and upcoming public meetings, on our code revision webpage. There is a code revision survey that is open until Aug. 15, and a public meeting on Aug. 8.
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 BSK Domestic Violence Emergency Response Pilot Request for Applications (RFA)
The King County Department of Community and Human Services is seeking applications to enhance cross-collaboration and warm referrals between P-5 Partner Programs and Domestic Violence Advocates. This RFA will function as a Pilot program to help bring forward lessons learned and recommendations for improving cross-sector collaboration in the future.
Due: August 13, 2024 by 2 PM PT.
BSK Positive Family Connections Requests for Proposals (RFP)
The King County Department of Community and Human Services seeks proposals to fund activities that support families with youth to strengthen family relationships, particularly the relationship between the young person and their parents/adult caregivers. Funding is not for one-time projects or events but continuous programming.
Due: August 8, 2024 by 2 PM PT
 VSHSL Gender-Based Violence System Navigation and Mobile Advocacy (SS 4) Funding Opportunity
The King County Department of Community and Human Services has released a Request for Proposals for Gender-Based Violence System Navigation and Mobile Advocacy with funding from the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.
Due date: August 8, 2024, at 2 PM PT
VSHSL Benefit Application and Appeals Assistance (FS 3) Funding Opportunity
The King County Department of Community and Human Services is seeking Request for Proposals (RFP) for Benefit Application and Appeals Assistance with funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL).
Due date: August 9, 2024 by 2:00pm
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