Sam Low's eNewsletter
Snohomish County Council
3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, Washington 98201
8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building
Phone: 425-388-3494
E-Mail: Sam.Low@snoco.org
Darcy Cheesman, Legislative Aide
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Snohomish County Legislative Breakfast
Each year the County Council and Executive invite our state legislative representatives to a breakfast to share our legislative priorities for the coming year. This year in addition to transportation issues, I spoke to our legislators about marijuana revenue sharing. When Washington voters passed Initiative 502 in 2012 legalizing marijuana they also established an excise tax that is intended for substance abuse prevention, education, health care, research, and criminal justice. I have been working with Executive Somers on this priority and the Council and Executive wrote an Op-Ed regarding this issue. I encourage you to read it and find out more regarding the vital funding that needs to be given back to the counties where this revenue is generated.
Imbedded Social Worker Program in Monroe
Last week I met with Snohomish County Human Services and the Monroe Police Department to get an update on the imbedded social worker program that has been in place for the last two years. They shared some highlights with me and they are captured below.
Since April 2017, the City of Monroe has engaged in a partnership with Snohomish County Human Services, establishing a Community Outreach Team which includes an embedded social worker, Elisa Delgado. For almost two years, the team consisted of a part-time sergeant and social worker, working two days a week within the community. Seeing the success, in June of 2019, the City and Police Department dedicated a full-time officer to outreach duties. The results have been impressive and show that repeated engagement is a successful mechanism to build sustainability within our communities.
As an example, since April 2017, the Monroe Police Department and Community Outreach Team have been engaging two individuals, a couple, often found in debris littered tent encampments, both within the City of Monroe and just outside, in unincorporated Snohomish County. This included locating them at the Skykomish River sites, in an area previously cleaned up by concerned citizens and River Junkies.
Police Department staff report approximately 50-70 identified contacts with this couple since the outreach programs inception, several of which included arrests for crime and transport to Jail. Other contacts included skilled medical evaluation.
Ultimately, in September 2019, after years of resistance, the couple accepted help and successfully graduated inpatient drug treatment. Both are currently housed in a neighboring jurisdiction at a clean and sober living facility and working towards self-sufficiency and sustainability.
This month I also toured one of our East County businesses, Canyon Creek Cabinet Company. This company employs approximating 400 people while providing good paying jobs to people in Snohomish County. It was impressive to see the work that is done there.
Councilmember Nehring and I were invited to speak at a high school government class regarding the role of county government. I was quite impressed with the students and the questions they asked. I am encouraged when I see our next generation wanting to gain knowledge and understanding of local government issues.
I was honored to attend the Pearl Harbor Memorial Dinner at the Startup Event Center this month. It was a humbling experience to be in the presence of those families and I thank the many heroes we lost in the attack at Pearl Harbor for their service and their sacrifice.
The Monroe Boys and Girls Club invited me to their club to share my story and the impact that the Boys and Girls Club has had on my life. Without the guidance and support I received from this organization growing up I truly would not be the person I am today.
I had the opportunity to attend several open houses and community meetings throughout my district regarding roads projects and conservation efforts.
I appreciate being out in the community and hearing from my constituents about the issues that matter to them. In East County I meet regularly with the cities to make sure we are working on issues that affect all of our community members. I am very thankful for this partnership.
This time of year people are looking for additional ways to give back and share in the community. One of my constituents reminded me of Project Care Track.
Project Care Track is designed to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable citizens in our community. The tendency to wander is prevalent among people that are suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. People with Down Syndrome, Autism, Prader-Willi, or traumatic brain injury also exhibit this tendency. Reasoning, judgment, the ability to communicate, and other behaviors are all affected by these conditions.
It is estimated that 59% of people with Alzheimer's disease will wander and become lost. Many victims will wander repeatedly. The dangers to the wanderer are numerous. If an elderly Alzheimer's patient is left outside for more than 24 hours, their chance of survival drops to 50% due to the risk of exposure. A lost person with Alzheimer's or a related disease or injury represents a critical medical emergency.
Each Project Care Track client is provided a one-ounce electronic bracelet that emits a unique radio signal 24 hours a day. When a client wanders, a call to 911 by the caregiver triggers a rapid response by a trained team within Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue unit. Under the direction of the Sheriff's Office, a search is started to locate that client's unique radio signal as soon as possible.
Agencies using Project Care Track have reduced search time dramatically. Searches that lasted hours and utilized dozens of search and rescue personnel are now accomplished in under an hour by small specialized teams. Fatalities have been reduced by 90%. If you have a loved one or know of an acquaintance or care provider that could benefit from involvement in Project Care Track, please contact the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
The caregiver network donations are needed to supply bracelets and support for those that do not have the financial resources to participate but need to be protected. Call our information line, 425-388-3825, to find out how you or your organization can become involved in our one-on-one sponsorship program.
Donations are tax deductible and can be sent to:
Project Care Track
5506 Old Machias Road
Snohomish, WA 98290
As 2019 comes to a close, I would like to say how grateful I am to serve the residents of District 5. I will continue to work hard for you in 2020. If you have any questions/concerns my door is always open. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season!
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