Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone:206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov

Office of Labor Standards Announces $1.5 Million Community Outreach and Education Fund

Seattle, WA (September 3, 2019) - Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces the availability of $1.5 million to provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to Seattle’s workers about their rights under Seattle’s labor standards. OLS will award two-year contracts for 2020 and 2021 to fund local community organizations.  

Since 2015, the Community Outreach and Education Fund (COEF) has supported community-based organizations in efforts to educate workers about labor standards, provide technical assistance, and deepen partnerships between community organizations and OLS in order to reach a diverse group of vulnerable workers. The current funding cycle will likewise support groups that work with low wage communities, including workers of color and immigrant workers.

“Seattle is a national leader both in its progressive workplace standards and in the methods it uses to educate workers and businesses about these labor standards. The COEF is an important component to this effort,” said OLS Director Martin S. Garfinkel. “We count on trusted community organizations to help us ensure that workers know their rights.”

OLS is charged with implementing Seattle’s labor standards which include Minimum Wage, Wage Theft, Paid Sick and Safe Time, Fair Chance Employment, Secure Scheduling and the Domestic Workers Ordinance.

Proposals must be received or postmarked by October 10, 2019 at 5:00 pm. Applicants may submit proposals electronically using the subject line “Labor Standards Community Outreach and Education Fund Proposal” to OLS at claudia.paras@seattle.gov.

Applicants also may deliver proposals in-person or send via mail to:
Claudia Alexandra Paras
Seattle Office of Labor Standards
810 3rd Avenue Suite 375
Seattle, WA 98104

Requests for oral presentations will be accepted until October 10, 2019 at 5:00 pm by sending an email to claudia.paras@seattle.gov with the subject line “Oral Presentation Request OLS Community Outreach and Education Fund”. The deadline to submit requests for language interpreter at oral presentations is September 23, 2019.

For more information and the full RFP package, visit the OLS website: https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/outreach/community-fund/2020-2021-request-for-proposal

Also, OLS will conduct two voluntary workshops for potential applicants to support them in the application process.  

(1)  Labor Standards Only Workshop
This workshop is designed for applicants who have not previously received funding from OLS and will review Seattle’s labor standards. New applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.

Thursday September 12, 2019
1:00 – 3:00pm
2100 Building (2100 24th Ave S. Seattle, WA 98144)
RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Sept12RSVP

(2)  2020 Community Outreach and Education Fund RFP Workshop
This workshop is designed for all applicants and will cover the application guidelines and give applicants the opportunity to ask questions about the process.

Wednesday September 18, 2019
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Beacon Hill Library (2821 Beacon Ave S. Seattle, WA 98144)
RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Sept18RFP

For more information about the workshops and contract process, please contact Claudia Alexandra Paras until October 10, 2019 at 206-641-6806 or email her at claudia.paras@seattle.gov.

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