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Welcome to our March update! This month we observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to reflect on our ongoing commitment to fostering a community where everyone, regardless of ability, is seen, heard, and valued as a vital part of our shared future. More below on the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) annual Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Resource Fair which will be held on May 28, 2026.
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Community Resource Event on March 27 in Maple Valley. Seeing so many families, advocates, and partners come together to share knowledge and build connections was inspiring.
In this month’s newsletter, learn about the next Community Resource Event, two new funding opportunities, and much more!
 You are invited! Join us for a free community event on May 28, 2026, that welcomes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and delays, their families, caregivers, service providers, teachers, employers, and other interested community members.
Stay for the day! Light snacks and refreshments will be available courtesy of Microsoft.
You can expect over 100 exhibitors, featuring resources for people of all ages, from early childhood supports, to transition of age resources, college and continuing education, system navigation, health, housing and more.
The fair will take place at the Microsoft Conference Center at 16070 NE 36th Way, Redmond, WA 98052.
Learn more and register here.
 Earlier this month, DCHS, through its Veterans Team (King County Veterans Program and Veterans Initiatives), convened the 2026 King County Veterans Symposium, bringing together over 150 leaders across federal, state, and local government, community providers, and system partners. The symposium hosted a focused conversation to take an honest look at where veteran services are today and where they need to go next in order to best serve King County’s veterans and their families.
As we mark over 20 years of King County investment, first through the Veterans and Human Services Levy and now through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), the landscape is shifting – including federal and VA policy changes, housing pressures, and increasing complexity in veteran needs. The symposium created intentional space to align across systems and ground the conversation in real veteran experiences.
Four core panels - systems alignment, justice-involved veterans, women veterans, and Native veterans - surfaced a clear theme: coordination only matters if it works for the people most impacted. The discussions highlighted where systems are working, where they break down, and where we need to evolve to better meet the realities veterans face.
Insights from the symposium will help shape future alignment, funding, and system design across King County.
DCHS is pleased to release this Request for Proposals (RFP) for SE 7: Vets Engaged with funding from the VSHSL.
Through this investment, VSHSL seeks to fund entities to convene community-building events and networks that increase social connection for veterans and military servicemembers, and their respective families in King County.
Funding Details
Award amount: $20,000
Available funding: Up to $235,000 in VSHSL funds
Investment period: July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 (subject to change)
Application deadline: April 20, 2026 by 5:00pm Pacific Time
Questions: Contact Miran Kim at mirkim@kingcounty.gov
Learn more: kingcounty.gov/dchs/funding
DCHS is pleased to release this Request for Proposals (RFP) for Short-Term Engagement Projects with funding from the VSHSL.
Through this investment, VSHSL seeks to fund short-term community-building events and activities that provide social engagement opportunities for Seniors and individuals from Resilient Communities in ways that meet their unique cultural needs.
Funding Details
Award amount: $10,000
Available funding: Up to $93,000 in VSHSL funds
Investment period: July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 (subject to change)
Application deadline: April 20, 2026 by 5:00pm Pacific Time
Questions: Contact Katie Mahoney at kmahoney@kingcounty.gov
Learn more: kingcounty.gov/dchs/funding
Please note: The application link will only work if you are logged into Agiloft. If you do not yet have an Agiloft account, please click this link and visit the DCHS Agiloft website for instructions on how to set up an account and apply.
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