Director's Note – April 2023

The 2022 HSD Annual Report is hot off the virtual press! You’ll find it on our Annual and Progress Reports webpage.

I want to thank everyone in the department and our contracted providers for all that you do to serve our communities throughout the year. I am so grateful for and inspired by your commitment and compassion. Review some of the 2022 highlights in each of our six investment areas and stories about the positive impacts we are having on communities and individuals. Don’t forget to share with us photos and stories of the incredible work you are doing right now—this year—to help us be ready for next year’s report! And know that I am honored to work alongside you on behalf of the people of Seattle.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

April is a month chock full of special recognitions. On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council presented a National Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Seattle proclamation, also signed by Mayor Harrell. I attended the Council meeting and spoke of the importance of humanizing this work. You can watch the Seattle Channel video here (the proclamation portion starts at 00:18:15), and you can read the proclamation here.

I also want to highlight the work of HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, led so capably for 13 years by Lan Pham (who left City service two weeks ago), and our Victim Support Team, led by Dana Lockhart. Both programs are part of our Safe and Thriving Communities division, directed by Rex Brown. 

Public Health Partnerships 

Another special recognition this month is National Minority Health Month. Also, April 3–9 is National Public Health Week. As you know, Promoting Public Health is one of HSD’s six investment areas. Our goal: All people living in Seattle experience moderate to optimum health conditions. These recognitions are opportunities to spotlight what we do and emphasize that there is much more to be done.

Nomination Update

As you may have heard, Mayor Harrell has formally nominated me to serve as Department Director. I am humbled by his decision, and I take the responsibility seriously. The next step is City Council consideration on April 11, 9:30 am, at the Public Safety & Human Services Committee.

Best,

Tanya Kim

Seattle Youth Employment Program Seeks Employer Partners for Summer

Looking for a way to support young people connecting to career opportunities? The Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has a goal to place 250 youth and young adults in internships this summer and needs your help connecting with potential partner employers in developing these opportunities. Partner employers do not have to be government entities and we’re seeking partnerships with employers in a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, transportation, and more.

SYEP Interns are hired City employees provided with 150 hours of paid employment in structured work settings within businesses, nonprofits, and City departments to apply their knowledge, gain hands-on experience, develop professional connections, and build their resume. Internships will run from July 5 – August 15, 2023.

To get started, employers can visit forms.office.com/g/wee6sEn5D2 to submit the Employer Interest Form. There is also an upcoming information session on April 11 to learn more and ask questions. RSVP at tinyurl.com/ydbt8njb today! Employer on-boarding begins June 14.

The City of Seattle is now accepting site applications for the 2023 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)! The program is scheduled to be offered from Wednesday, July 5, 2023 to Friday, August 25, 2023. SFSP provides no-cost breakfasts, lunches, and snacks for children and youth ages 1 through 18. SFSP is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is administered by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The summer feeding program is a vital nutritional bridge for youth during the summer months. Simply stated, the goal of the program is to connect youth with healthy meals and meaningful well-run activities. In 2022, with 81 participating sites and 91 programs we were able to serve more than 98,000 meals to youth throughout the city of Seattle and beyond.

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a site? Eligible sites are places in the community where youth receive meals in a safe and supervised environment. Sites can be found in a variety of settings, including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, apartment complexes, and faith-based organizations. Your participation in SFSP allows us to continue providing healthy meals for youth throughout the summer which in turn allows youth to continue their physical and social development. It helps youth return to school ready to learn! We encourage any organization in the community to apply to be a part of this special program. Applications are due by April 24, 2023—please visit our Summer Food Service Program web page for more information or reach out to Temesgen Melashu, Out of School Time Meals Coordinator at Temesgen.Melashu@seattle.gov or call (206) 375-1186.

HSD would like to remind existing and potential contracted providers that HSD has multiple funding opportunities with due dates approaching on April 11 and 12. These opportunities involve working with local food systems partners, preparing congregate and home-delivered meals, and helping to design and educate about nutritious and culturally nourishing diets.

Please visit the HSD Funding Opportunities page for the latest amendments and updated Questions & Answers for the following processes:

1. 2023 Food Systems RFQ – due 4/11
2. 2023 Congregate Meals for Older Adults RFQ – due 4/12
3. 2023 Home-Delivered Meals Program RFQ – due 4/12
4. Multicultural Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Services RFP – due 4/12
5. 2023 Culturally Nourishing Foods for Older Adults RFP – due 4/12

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods invites all Seattle residents to celebrate Neighbor Day on Saturday, May 6 by indulging in and amplifying acts of kindness in their community. Neighbor Day is a special day set aside to reach out to neighbors, make new friends, and express thanks to those who help make our city a great place to live. Residents, businesses, and community groups throughout Seattle are all invited to participate.

If there is a person, business, or organization that you would like to honor, we encourage you to nominate them for Neighbor Day recognition! Submit a nomination at https://forms.office.com/g/evc87a73yM. 

Neighbor Day also provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect with neighbors, friends, and communities through small acts of generosity.  Here are just a few ideas:

• Lead a volunteer effort in your neighborhood for One Seattle Day of Service on May 20. Register at https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/one-seattle-initiatives/day-of-service.
• Host a neighborhood potluck.
• Buy and deliver groceries for a neighbor in need.
• Have a neighborhood treasure hunt.
• Help neighbors that are homebound with yard work/weeding.
• Organize a neighborhood cleanup effort.
• Drop flowers or a thank you note at a neighbor’s mailbox/walkway.
• Cook a meal or make a treat for your neighbors.
• Create a Little Free Pantry in your neighborhood.
• Organize a food drive for your local food bank.

Be sure to share your stories to inspire others. Use #NeighborDay and #OneSeattle on social media to tell us about an act of kindness you performed or witnessed. Visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/public-participation/neighbor-day for more information.