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WSCAP Newsletter January 7, 2025
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She was used to being on the run. Then Hopelink gave her a reason to stay
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Tequila Jones is no stranger to hardship.
Her childhood memories were lost to a house fire. Injuries ended her college basketball career. She lost three brothers to gun violence. She’s battled depression and racism.
Challenges followed her when she arrived in Seattle a decade ago. But with the help of Hopelink <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=91fea6d5e2&e=b80d
e0d97c> , a nonprofit that helps families in crisis rise out of poverty, she’s built the courage to stabilize her life and keep moving forward, for her and her young daughter.
“When things are the hardest, she puts one foot in front of the other,” said Elizabeth Miller, senior manager of housing and case management at Hopelink. “And when it’s too much, she’s
able to say, ‘It’s too much for me right now.’ But then she regroups and takes the next step.”
Born in Saginaw, Mich., Jones, 34, excelled as a basketball player, her trophies filling their home until a fire destroyed everything when she was 14. “I lost all my trophies, all my
childhood memories, all of that was just burnt to ashes,” she said.
Even after the fire, she pursued her dream, leading her high school team to a state championship in North Carolina and earning MVP honors. But her rising basketball career was cut short
in college after three ligament tears and reconstructive surgery. Her doctor told her she would be in a wheelchair if it happened again. Her grades fell, and the deaths of two brothers
to gun violence within a year drove her to leave school. “That was the last straw for me,” she said.
For years, Jones lived a transient life, moving from state to state. Whenever she arrived at a new place, she would find a job, usually in customer service. But she never stayed long.
“When it got hard, I got used to running,” she said. “Starting over with nothing was better than just solving the problem that’s there.”
Her traveling life brought her about a decade ago to Seattle, where her mother and sister lived. After two years of working and couch surfing at their homes, she was ready to move away
again when she learned she was pregnant.
The news was baffling because she didn’t think that was possible. “Years ago, I had been sexually molested,” Jones said. “I was told by a couple of doctors that I couldn’t have kids
at all.” So this news was also terrifying. “What do I do? I don’t know how to change a diaper. I don’t know how to make a bottle,” she recalls thinking.
The unexpected pregnancy forced her to rethink her transient lifestyle, and she decided to remain in Seattle, close to the support of her family. After a brief stay at a single mothers’
shelter in 2017, Jones and her infant daughter moved into Duvall Place, a housing facility operated by Hopelink, one of 13 local nonprofits supported by The Seattle Times’ Fund for
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The nonprofit had already been part of Jones’ life. The organization helped her mother escape an abusive relationship, providing shelter and support. Helping multiple family members
is “not uncommon. There are a lot of families connected to Hopelink in various different ways,” said Miller, who was the manager of Duvall Place when Jones arrived and has developed
a close relationship with her over the years.
“Hopelink’s mission is “solving problems that are created by poverty,” interim CEO Meghan Altimore said. By addressing basic needs like transportation, food, shelter and energy assistance,
the nonprofit lays a foundation for stability while equipping clients with skills in housing, employment and financial literacy to escape poverty for good.
“Poverty creates damage, it creates trauma,” Altimore said. So to help clients heal, Hopelink launched the “Welcome Project,” a training program that prepares staff to address the emotional
effects of poverty. “Everyone, including the accountants,” receives this training, which also fosters a supportive workplace culture for staff, many of whom have experienced trauma
themselves.
Hopelink’s programs helped Jones address immediate needs and plan for the future.”
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SNAP RESOURCE TEAM: PROVIDING ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN SPOKANE
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Talesha, SNAP Resource Team Member/Administrative Operations Specialist
When Spokane residents find themselves at a crossroads, unsure of where to turn for help, the SNAP Resource Team becomes their lifeline. As the front door of Spokane Neighborhood Action
Partners (SNAP) <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=840edbf641&e=b80de0d97c> , this dedicated group of employees and volunteers provides
not just resources but hope, compassion, and a path forward.
The Resource Team is often the first voice heard on the phone or the first welcoming face when someone walks through SNAP’s doors seeking assistance. Their mission goes far beyond answering
questions or handing out pamphlets; they are a bridge to stability and security for countless individuals and families.
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Take Talesha, for instance, a twelve-year SNAP veteran and a member of the Resource Team. She has an unwavering commitment to help others.
“Everyone has needs,” she said, reflecting on her role. “In my time here, I’ve witnessed a variety of hardships that tug at my heart.”
One of the most heart-wrenching challenges Talesha has encountered is supporting seniors forced from their homes without the means to find safe and stable housing.
“Seeing these situations is incredibly difficult,” she shared. “But it also drives us to do everything we can to help them regain a sense of security.”
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Commentary: WAGAP transitions in 2024, family focus in 2025
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Reflecting on 2024 at Washington Gorge Action Programs <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=db2b41ae7f&e=b80de0d97c> (WAGAP), I am filled
with immense gratitude and pride for all the WAGAP team has accomplished this year. Our collective strength, commitment, and collaboration have ensured that our agency evolves to meet
the ever-changing needs of our community, even in the face of challenges.
One of the most significant milestones was our successful leadership transition. The planning and intentionality demonstrated by Leslie Naramore and our board were vital in creating
a smooth and minimally disruptive process for our programs and services. I deeply appreciate their foresight and the support from our entire team. It is a testament to the resilience
and dedication of our staff and volunteers that our work continued uninterrupted, focused on the well-being of the people we serve.
The year 2024 also marked the end of COVID-related funding, which required us to adapt and seek new resources. Our teams focused on the most vulnerable in our communities and worked
diligently to fill the gaps left by these changes. In partnership with local agencies, our outreach to in-lieu and treaty fishing sites, and our work in rural areas like Roosevelt help
ensure no one is left behind. A key development was the expansion of family resources from Klickitat County into Skamania County. We continue strengthening partnerships with other agencies
to serve our communities better.
Another highlight was the launch of WAGAP’s civic engagement program. The initiative empowered community members with the knowledge and tools to actively engage in civic life. We fostered
a culture of civic participation and community-driven change through several projects, including civics trivia, a civics course in partnership with the City of White Salmon, voter registration
efforts, and a volunteer event that mobilized 75 people to support low-income communities. Additionally, we partnered with Community Enrichment for Klickitat County (CEKC) to host impactful
Financial Wellness events in Spanish and English, bringing resources directly to community members in need.
Driving community-level change is a focus for WAGAP as we look ahead to 2025. Our mission remains steadfast — to uplift the people we serve, increase access to resources and opportunities,
and alleviate poverty through advocacy and services. We are more committed than ever to our vision of a healthy, welcoming community where all people have equitable opportunities to
thrive, free from poverty and oppression.
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Reintroducing OIC of Washington: Longtime Yakima nonprofit sharpens focus
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OIC seeks donations
Sy Ruiz said OIC staff sometimes run into challenges when it comes to helping all members of the community.
Ruiz said that there are restrictions on how certain grants or funds can be used. Government funding may come with requirements for how it is used and who it is for.
“Our hands our tied. We want to help them out,” Ruiz said.
To help everyone, OIC has a fundraising campaign to raise money that can be used more broadly.
Link: https://oicofwa.org/give/
The Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=001aac1cf5&e=b80de0d97c> is no stranger
to Yakima. Founded in Southeast Yakima in 1971, the organization has been an important part of life in the Yakima Valley for more than 50 years.
In the past few years, the organization has sharpened its focus and worked to improve its services.
“People associate us as a social services agency, but the best social service is to get a job,” said Sy Ruiz, OIC’s public relations and development director.
That’s OIC’s new goal – to make its resources and opportunities accessible so people can support themselves.
That doesn’t mean OIC is stopping its basic assistance programs. Clients enter at different points in their lives, Ruiz said, and some people need their most basic needs addressed before
they can think about applying for a new job or getting professional training.
OIC provides utility assistance and a food bank, Ruiz said, to help people with those most basic needs. Ruiz added that OIC is always trying to improve those programs. The food bank
has new availability in the evening to help working families and OIC is always seeking funding to broaden assistance programs for monthly bills.
“We don’t want people to need government subsidies, but the reality is some people need that,” Ruiz said. Some people need to get their feet under them before they move on.
OIC is also emphasizing taking the next step.
“Someone enrolled in our services isn’t enough. It’s graduating our services and having a job,” Ruiz said.
Workforce opportunities
To that end, OIC provides education and workforce training to people so they can get a job or, if they’re already employed, get a better one. The goal, Ruiz said, is to move people off
basic support services.
As it focuses more on workforce development, OIC is tackling labor needs in four local industries: agriculture, health care, manufacturing and logistics and transportation.
OIC has some internal education opportunities, like forklift certification, construction and a soon-to-open CDL school.
There are culinary, construction and mentorship programs for youth, as well as after-school child care, performing arts and sports programs.
However, Ruiz said much of that work focuses on placement with local jobs or schools for people trying to get professional training.
OIC also works on upscaling by helping employees get the training and certification necessary to move up within their place of work. That ties back to OIC’s goal – get people out of
poverty by moving up another rung on the ladder of economic needs.
“There’s a lot of jobs between the field and administration,” Ruiz said. “How do we bring people into that middle-management?”
In this work, Ruiz said, OIC wants to hear from employers and is open to feedback about local skills and labor needs.
“We don’t want to assume what industries need, we want to hear from employers,” he said.
Housing and other programs
It’s not just employment-based. Housing support and advisory services are in high-demand, Ruiz said. OIC provides advice for first-time homebuyers and people facing foreclosures. The
organization is working on a down payment assistance program.
There are plenty of services on the table, and part of the job is making them easy to access, Ruiz said. OIC is a large organization with various departments and areas of focus. Now,
Ruiz said, clients who come in for anything at all will be assessed by OIC staff for age, income, education and employment status. Then staff will know exactly what services people
qualify for.
Ruiz said people can come in for one thing and get offered more options. The goal is to make sure more services are accessible and helpful. Staff across the organization are more familiar
with the diverse programs they have, Ruiz said.
That means people work together and know where to refer clients based on their needs.
“That initial screening, they take you in and broker services within OIC,” Ruiz said. “If we don’t have that service, we offer a warm handoff to other organizations.”
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Advocating for Equity Statewide
Across Washington state, we mobilize communities to dismantle poverty and racism, so every one of us has the opportunity to live a healthy, prosperous life.
Byrd Barr Place <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=fec6579a7d&e=b80de0d97c> started as the Central Area Motivation Project or CAMP
in 1965, when grassroots organizers in Seattle’s Central District joined together to build economic mobility and civic engagement with the Black community.
Today, we continue to raise awareness of racist policies and systemic inequities that limit opportunities for too many people. And, we advocate for community-based solutions that will
foster an equitable future for all Washingtonians.
Investing in Black-led Organizations
Black leaders share the truth of their experiences guiding community organizations in this new report, The Case for Investing in King County’s Black-led Organizations <https://wapartnership.us4.list-
manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=ed44abf911&e=b80de0d97c> . Based on interviews and surveys, the report lifts up the many strengths of Black-led organizations, as
well as highlights barriers to funding opportunities that have led to significant under-investment in the Black community. The report is a call to do better, with recommendations for
taking a culturally centered approach to philanthropy.
Advancing Racial Equity
Aiming to spur public dialogue and generate community-driven policy solutions, Byrd Barr Place in collaboration with other Black organizations, has published a series of reports:
* Black Well-being: Moving Toward Solutions Together <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=4471e7ee58&e=b80de0d97c> (2022), produced
by the Black Future Co-op Fund, updates data from the 2015 report and expands on it, with community identified approaches to manifest Black well-being statewide.
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Building Community
As an anchor community partner in developing affordable housing and supporting minority businesses in the Central District, we work with other organizations to build a future in which
African Americans and low-income residents can stay and thrive in the city center.
Our focus includes supporting the creation of land trusts geared toward people of color in order to preserve affordable housing, mitigate gentrification and build community wealth. The
Liberty Bank Building at 24th and Union, which opened in 2019, is one tangible example of this work. A collaboration of Byrd Barr Place, Africatown, Black Community Impact Alliance
and Capitol Hill Housing, the redevelopment project sets a new standard for community-led investment in the Central District.
Learn More Here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=35214721e9&e=b80de0d97c>
OIC DINE & DONATE!
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🍟🍔Dine & Donate🍔🍟
Save the date! We're partnering with Five Guys again on January 13th from 5PM-7PM for a delicious cause! A portion of the proceeds will go directly to support our OIC Giving Campaign.
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The more you eat, the more you give! So grab your friends and family, and let’s make a difference together. ❤️
Spread the word – Every bite counts!
📍 Five Guys: 1901 S 1st St, Ste 100, Yakima, WA 98903
📅January 13th – 5PM-7PM
WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF EQUITY <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=a86054ddb3&e=b80de0d97c>
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Join us January 15th for an impactful session where we kick off with a fireside chat with our Director Megan Matthews and Asian American Ambassador Jolene Jang as they will explore the
importance of solidarity, understanding, and mutual support between Black and Asian American communities.
Click the link to register: https://ow.ly/bvNx50Ulf8I <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=ff776dd269&e=b80de0d97c>
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Community Reinvestment Project (CRP) <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=7f689e8757&e=b80de0d97c>
CRP partners with organizations across the state to support economic development, reentry services, legal assistance, and violence prevention. It is expected to generate up to $1.6 billion
in economic benefits for targeted communities over the next decade. With $200 million already contracted across the state, CRP remains on track to make a significant impact in the lives
of Washingtonians.
In collaboration with community partners, CRP’s impact includes:
* Creating jobs in partnership with diverse small businesses
* Offering training programs to meet workforce needs
* Higher self-sufficient incomes for people to support their families
* Helping people acquire homes and start new businesses
* Increasing safety of our neighborhoods through community-led projects
* Economic development with CRP <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=0dc32fe744&e=b80de0d97c>
* Legal Assistance with CRP <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=59a01b214c&e=b80de0d97c>
* Reentry Services with CRP <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=1ca2718cd4&e=b80de0d97c>
* Violence prevention with CRP <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=b3e71531b5&e=b80de0d97c>
Learn more here: <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=2bcafb9eb2&e=b80de0d97c>
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Webinar: Warming Up to Cold Climate Heat Pumps: Advances in Weatherization and Rebate Programs
Tuesday, February 18 at 10 AM PT
This session will explore the latest advancements in cold climate heat pump technology and their role in enhancing energy efficiency in homes, particularly for low-income families. We
will cover essential topics including:
* Understanding Cold Climate Heat Pumps: Learn how these innovative systems work and why they are becoming a popular choice for heating and cooling in colder regions.
* Weatherization Techniques: Discover effective weatherization strategies that can maximize the performance of heat pumps, ensuring homes stay warm and energy-efficient during harsh
winters.
* Low-Income Weatherization Rebate Programs: Find out how leveraging rebate programs can support your organization’s mission and gain tips for how to determine whether a rebate program
works for your operations.
* Consumer Education: Gain insights into how heat pump technology has evolved over the years, making it more accessible and effective for consumers today, and communication strategies
for addressing client reservations.
Whether you’re a homeowner, a community advocate, or simply interested in energy efficiency solutions, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions
about heating your home sustainably. Join us to learn how you can benefit from these advancements and drive innovative energy solutions for your clients!
Presenters include:
* Chris Small, NCAP (host)
* Ben Knopp, Knopp Energy, LLC
* Chase Counts, Greenbound Consulting, LLC
Click here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=e363027dd1&e=b80de0d97c> to register for the webinar.
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CSBG Organizational Standards: Core Practices for Agency Success
Thursday, March 6 at 11 AM PT
The CSBG Organizational Standards define the foundational capacities that every Community Action Agency needs to deliver quality services and maintain effective operations. These standards
reflect core practices essential for nonprofit organizations, focusing on accountability, governance, and sound management. Join us to learn about the core practices behind the Standards
and strategies for integrating them into your agency’s operations.
Click here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=5b2a5b7758&e=b80de0d97c> to register for the webinar.
WSCAP Learning Center <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=16ee6deab0&e=b80de0d97c>
Including CAP Infinity 2.0
and CAP Infinity for Boards 2.0
(Basic and Intermediate)
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Creating a Healthy Organizational Culture: The Key to Effective Change Management
Wednesday, January 22 at 11 AM PT
It has been said that “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In this session, we will investigate why some organizations excel and others fail during seasons of change; describe the
characteristics of a healthy (and resilient) organizational culture; and discuss how you can begin building an organizational culture that embraces change and innovation. This session
is highly recommended for agencies engaged in Whole Family Approach design and implementation, but everyone will benefit from its lessons.
Facilitators: Tamerdis Hollywood & Jennifer Gregory
Click here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=7c3f0119f0&e=b80de0d97c> to register for the webinar.
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Save the date!!!
The event you all know and love is coming this Spring! Mark your calendars for June 7, MSC's annual Spring into Action Dinner & Auction will be held at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort
Event Center!
We are so excited to share this event with our community again this year and come together to celebrate and support the work that MSC is doing.
Learn more here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=6017e5faab&e=b80de0d97c>
Meet the new faces of the 2025 legislative session
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The upcoming legislative session will see high levels of turnover among Washington state lawmakers.
Following the retirements of longtime legislators, a few redistricting switch-ups, and some departures for higher office, there will be new faces in 29 seats.
Some are familiar, as many new senators are former House members. Some are returning after a term or two off. Others are completely new to the process.
And there may be up to four more.
Sen. Patty Kuderer is leaving this month to become insurance commissioner, opening up at least one more vacancy. If a member of the state House of Representatives fills that spot, someone
new will have to be appointed to fill the House vacancy. A replacement will also need to be chosen for Rep. Tana Senn, who is exiting the Legislature to lead the Department of Children,
Youth, and Families. And yet another replacement will be needed for Sen. Joe Nguyễn who was picked to lead the Department of Commerce by Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson.
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From Woodinville to Olympia, cities across WA expand renter protection
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Efforts to pass renter protections at the state level stalled in 2024, but cities across Washington — from Olympia to Woodinville to Spokane — expanded local ordinances and policies
aimed at protecting tenants.
One of the most significant proposals in the Washington state Legislature in the 2024 session would have prohibited landlords from raising rent by more than 7% <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.
com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=994422477a&e=b80de0d97c> a year and limited certain types of fees. It failed to advance.
Other tenant protection proposals also died, including limiting the amount landlords can charge for pet fees <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=d70c
4b9646&e=b80de0d97c> , creating a business and occupation <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=3174cc32bd&e=b80de0d97c> tax on landlords,
streamlining enforcement <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=69cbbbf88b&e=b80de0d97c> of tenant protections and requiring landlords
to submit documentation <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=46119328df&e=b80de0d97c> of tenants’ on-time payments to a national consumer
reporting agency.
Terri Anderson, executive director of the Tenants Union of Washington State, described the outcome of the 2024 session as “extremely disappointing.”
Despite the lack of movement at the state level, several major cities implemented policies that extended notice periods for rent increases, imposed limits on excessive fees, required
relocation assistance and protected tenants against retaliation for installing air conditioning units.
Anderson said she was glad to see some cities taking initiative where the state didn’t.
“It would be nice to see the state do a little bit better so that you’re not checkerboarding our jurisdictions on who gets protection and who doesn’t,” Anderson said.
Continue reading…. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=ff386e253a&e=b80de0d97c>
A troubling trend. Seattle reports another nearly 20% increase in homeless students
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Seattle Public Schools has seen a sizeable spike in the number of students experiencing homelessness for the second year in a row.
As of October, when the district collects its annual data on student homelessness as required by the federal McKinney-Vento Act, 2,235 students were currently — or had been — homeless
since the school year began.
That's a nearly 20% increase from last year, when the district recorded a more than 30% jump.
It's part of a national and statewide trend. A new federal Department of Housing and Urban Development report <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=3f
b25b6432&e=b80de0d97c> released last week reveals homelessness soared to the highest level on record in 2024.
In Washington state, more than 41,000 students experienced homelessness sometime during the 2023-24 school year, the latest data available from the state Office of Superintendent of
Public Instruction. That's a nearly 15% increase from the year before.
Jenny Allen is a McKinney-Vento family support worker who oversees homeless services at 24 schools across Seattle. In such an expensive city, Allen said families are continuing to be
hit hard by inflation and often struggle to find and secure affordable housing.
The district has also seen an uptick in immigrants and refugees, Allen said, especially from South American countries.
Continue reading…. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=852a67aef9&e=b80de0d97c>
WA needs more early childhood educators. But the pay is a problem
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Each weekday morning, Savannah Stewart commutes to her classroom on the University of Washington campus.
While Stewart has a master’s degree from UW, she doesn’t work with college students in a lecture hall or lab. She’s a head preschool teacher in the Penguin Room at the university’s Experimental
Education Unit at the Haring Center for Inclusive Education.
It’s a rigorous role that requires extensive movement, years of training, months of planning and an infinite reservoir of patience.
On any given day, Stewart and her assistant teachers could have academic specialists, graduate students and volunteers visiting the classroom. There could be a trip to the bookmobile
or a fire drill. Stewart delegates bus, dish and toilet duties in addition to planning how to incorporate literacy, math and science into movement, songs, games and play.
All for less pay than other educators.
While early childhood educators in the state have seen wage increases in recent years, data from 2022 showed that those with bachelor’s degrees earn substantially less <https://wapartnership.us4.list
-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=5c261173b3&e=b80de0d97c> than their colleagues in the K-8 system, according to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment.
The median hourly wage for a Washington state preschool teacher was $16.15, which is less than the state’s new minimum wage <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818eb
d4ce40eb&id=ac2e651812&e=b80de0d97c> . That’s compared with $39.23 for an elementary school teacher.
Washington is in need of more early childhood educators. But 45% of early educator households in the state participate in one or more public assistance programs.
Continue reading….. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=4d2a6463b8&e=b80de0d97c>
Children’s Alliance to 2025 legislature: Take bold action
Join the fight to preserve funding for vital programs for kids and families
<https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=cbefaa06b0&e=b80de0d97c>
I’m heading into the 2025 legislative session with conflicting feelings. The projected budget shortfall and potential cuts to vital services cause me great concern. We have already seen
proposals to eliminate important early learning programs that serve many kids who are furthest from opportunity.
On the other hand, the fact that voters overwhelmingly rejected I-2109 and opted to keep our state’s capital gains tax gives me hope. For too long our state has relied on the lowest
income households to contribute the highest percentage of their earnings in taxes. I am optimistic that legislators will feel emboldened to support policies to make our tax code more
equitable, close the budget gap, and prevent harmful cuts.
Despite the challenges the state budget presents, Children’s Alliance will continue to fight for policy solutions that advance racial justice and center kids and families who, due to
present and historic systemic racism, are furthest from opportunity.
“Right now, Washington is ranked 48th in the nation for youth mental health. Kids in our state are struggling with mental health issues at unprecedented rates and many of them cannot
access the care they need.”
"we are advocating for increases in provider compensation rates and the number of slots within the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/
track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=5a02751f79&e=b80de0d97c> , Washington’s public preschool program. ECEAP is an equity-focused program serving children who are furthest from
opportunity.
Some of the main children served are children of color (68%) and unhoused children (11%).“
“Access to affordable, high-quality early learning programs is a critical resource in ensuring that all children can thrive when they enter kindergarten, and increasing provider pay
is critical to ensuring that public and private programs are adequately staffed and providers are paid a living wage. The investments we’re advocating for with respect to both ECEAP
and WCCC are necessary to keep the promises made in the Fair Start for Kids Act.”
Continue reading…. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=f36e38422a&e=b80de0d97c>
Nonprofits Are at the Core of American Democracy. Now They’re Under Threat
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The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=a9466cfc25&e=b80de0d97c> that would allow
the President to take away the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit organization that he determines is providing material support for terrorism. Although existing law already prohibits
American nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from supporting terrorism, the new bill would remove existing procedural safeguards, effectively allowing the President to shut down any
organization based on his judgment alone.
Handing the President such a power threatens Americans’ basic freedoms in civil society. The immediate context <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=65
72f0a472&e=b80de0d97c> for the bill seems to be concerns over pro-Palestinian protests and organizations, but the bill would permit the President to decide <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com
/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=acf77dcb10&e=b80de0d97c> that a nonprofit dedicated to any cause, or a nonprofit media company, or a university that houses faculty or centers
doing research on controversial topics, is no longer permissible. Such power over the fate of private organizations and Americans’ civil liberties should concern all Americans. A President
could use this new law to preemptively silence activists, journalists, and professors simply by threatening to take away the tax-exempt status of their employers’ organizations.
The capacity of civil society to serve as a place where dissident voices can speak out is fundamental to democratic freedom. During the 1990s, after the fall of the Soviet Union, western
governments devoted energy and money to develop civil society in the countries of the former Soviet bloc, what were then called “emerging democracies.” The leaders of those countries
often resisted these efforts, stating that their new governments were too fragile to tolerate the proliferation of private groups that criticized their government’s policies.
Continue reading…. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=ba5f324992&e=b80de0d97c>
The new report on homelessness shows a catastrophe for WA
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In some ways, the report to Congress last week that homelessness is surging wasn’t news in Seattle or the state.
People living under bridges has long been part of the fabric here. Plus the local count showing the largest number of homeless people ever in King County was already released here last
May <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=a23a8dcf30&e=b80de0d97c> .
But the federal report, the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=148cf762bf&e=b80de0d97c> , was shocking
to the senses anyway. At least it ought to have been. It allowed a comparison of how Seattle and Washington state are doing on homelessness relative to more than 400 other cities, counties,
and states.
The picture was brutal. It ought to chasten or even embarrass local leaders. If not that, it should at least prompt some course corrections.
The report shows Seattle and the broader state of Washington as leaders in failure. Not just at solving homelessness long term, which is a tough ask. But at providing even the minimum
aid for getting folks up and out of the gutter.
The headline is that Washington has the third-largest homeless population in the nation, after California and New York. A closer look at the data <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/clic
k?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=f7423e8701&e=b80de0d97c> though shows it’s much worse than that.
Washington has higher rates of unsheltered homelessness than most other states, except California. These are people living out in the elements, in greenbelts, in doorways and by the
sides of roads — what the British call “rough sleepers.” These are the worst places to be.
Compare here with New York, a state with nearly 2 ½ times more people. Washington had 16,222 rough sleepers on a given night in 2024. While the entire state of New York had just 5,638.
For the hardest, chronic cases — people who have disabilities such as mental illness or substance abuse, and are homeless for long periods — Washington had 9,185 unsheltered compared
with New York’s 1,337.
These huge disparities are largely because New York has so much more emergency shelter than Washington does — by design.
It’s the same dire picture if you compare Seattle-King County to New York City — which researchers at the Brookings Institution did last year <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=
acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=de9cb073cd&e=b80de0d97c> .
“Seattle is the stark outlier in the sample: Over 57% of its homeless population is living without shelter,” the researchers found. This compares with just 3% in New York City.
Last week’s report to Congress is a giant red flag for Washington state. After years of supposedly urgent attention to the issue, Washington statewide had 4,000 more souls living outside
in wintertime than much larger, and warmer, Texas.
Since 2015, when leaders in Seattle and King County declared a homelessness emergency, the rate of unsheltered homelessness has soared.
The numbers are jarring. Seattle-King County has twice as many people unsheltered as New York City, the report shows. Six times as many as Chicago. Ten times as many as Philadelphia
(we have 9,810 unsheltered people, Philly has just 976). All these cities stood up more emergency shelter than we did — and it at least got roofs over people’s heads.
“In New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, we found trends of unsheltered homelessness had not ballooned during the pandemic … but rather remained steady for the past decade,” the Brookings
researchers found <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=f017d2ea0b&e=b80de0d97c> . “Seattle, again, was a stark outlier — seeing an 88%
jump in unsheltered homelessness since 2015.”
The term “stark outlier” is used for Seattle four times in that study.
What happened?
It’s complicated, as everything with homelessness is. Fentanyl had a lot to do with it, but they have fentanyl in these other cities, too. The bottom line comes down to one word: shelter.
Continue reading….. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=f9e6893714&e=b80de0d97c>
Want More Affordable Housing? Reducing Infrastructure Costs Could Help
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According to a 2024 report <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=688f3b0ab1&e=b80de0d97c> from the University of Washington’s Center
for Real Estate Research, Washington will need more than 1.1 million additional housing units over the next 20 years to keep up with anticipated population growth and the demand for
housing. A majority (59%) of the new units will need to be affordable to very and extremely low-income households, or those earning less than 50% of the area median income <https://wapartnership.us4
.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=fef9500949&e=b80de0d97c> . It is highly unlikely that the private sector can produce these units, and significant action by
local governments and nonprofit developers will be necessary.
While many local governments have taken actions to encourage the production of housing affordable for low-income households, one of the most significant costs faced by such projects
— the cost of required infrastructure and related fees — may not be among the actions addressed.
This blog discusses how local governments can review and adjust their infrastructure fees and requirements to increase construction of housing that is affordable and attainable to households
at all income levels.
Why Is This So Important?
The American Planning Association and National League of Cities recently published the Housing Supply Accelerator <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id
=ab5876dc69&e=b80de0d97c> , a playbook of strategies for communities to address their housing needs. One approach is to:
Strategically coordinate subdivision regulations, engineering standards, development impact fees, building codes and environmental regulations to reduce the time, cost and unpredictability
of housing project approval.
The impact of not coordinating infrastructure requirements and fees with housing goals is substantial. Affordable housing projects often need assistance in paying for infrastructure
fees and construction — some simply cannot move forward without it.
A stark illustration of this is the Washington State Department of Commerce’s (Commerce) Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5
bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=6615340a8a&e=b80de0d97c> (CHIP), which has $12.7 million in the 2023-2025 biennium to assist affordable housing projects with utility connection costs. CHIP received
62 applications requesting over $48 million in 2024, with $40 million specifically for utility service connections (approximately $11 million for water, $12 million for sewer, and $17
million for stormwater). Over $8 million was requested to pay for system development charges (which fund a project’s impact on the overall utility systems).
In addition to the cost of utility connections, a housing project may be required to pay impact fees <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=b2d37f5e33&e
=b80de0d97c> for transportation, schools, parks, or fire services, as well as construct street frontage and on-site improvements per locally-adopted engineering standards. Off-site
improvements may be required if identified through a SEPA <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=0bac21c95e&e=b80de0d97c> analysis.
The combined costs of these requirements can often be tens of thousands of dollars per housing unit — which can increase the rent or purchase price for residents, especially for small-scale
housing projects that have fewer units to which the costs can be distributed.
A Few Infrastructure Requirements for Local Governments to Consider Reviewing
Local governments can reexamine these requirements for potential ways to address housing costs:
* Utility connection fees and system development charges,
* Impact fees, and
* Requirements and standards for constructing on- and off-site infrastructure improvements.
Note that there are good reasons for these infrastructure requirements and fees. Since they are generally based on an assessment of the actual impacts of new development on public infrastructure
systems, reassessing such requirements involve difficult policy choices for local elected officials.
Below are examples of how local governments are reducing costs to affordable housing projects while still meeting infrastructure system costs. (Some may even decrease long-term utility
costs by reducing impervious surfaces.) Typically, these examples involve:
* Adjusting infrastructure requirements to reflect documented lower impacts of smaller affordable housing units, or
* Choosing to pay for infrastructure impacts using other funding sources (as authorized in RCW 35.21.685 <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=504e449c
ba&e=b80de0d97c> ).
MRSC’s Affordable Housing Techniques and Incentives <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=798e05c09e&e=b80de0d97c> and Commerce’s guidance
documents on middle housing and accessory dwelling units <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=f911febd87&e=b80de0d97c> (ADUs) are great
sources for more information.
Continue reading…. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=ba4bd94a13&e=b80de0d97c>
<https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=7ba3413c0e&e=b80de0d97c>
THE PITFALLS OF INCOME REQUIREMENTS
In an ideal world, everyone who qualifies for an aid program ought to receive its benefits. But the reality is that this is often not the case. Before the pandemic, for example, nearly
one-fifth of Americans <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=bca3b43f87&e=b80de0d97c> who qualified for food stamps didn’t receive them.
In fact, millions of Americans <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=092a04ce85&e=b80de0d97c> who are eligible for existing social welfare
programs don’t receive all of the benefits they are entitled to.
As I wrote in an earlier edition of this newsletter <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=51d9049bee&e=b80de0d97c> , a big part of the
problem is the paperwork and the bureaucratic hoops people have to jump through in order to participate in certain programs. But what’s often at the root of those hurdles is an all-too-common
policy choice that lawmakers turn to: means testing — that is, establishing eligibility requirements (like income or wealth thresholds) for social programs.
Means testing a given social program can have good intentions: target spending toward the people who need it most. After all, if middle- or high-income people who can afford their groceries
or rent get federal assistance in paying for those things, then wouldn’t there be less money to go around for the people who actually need it?
The answer isn’t so straightforward.
How means testing can sabotage policy goals
Implementing strict eligibility requirements can be extremely tedious and have unintended consequences.
For starters, let’s look at one of the main reasons lawmakers advocate for means testing: saving taxpayers’ money. But that’s not always what happens. “Though they’re usually framed
as ways of curbing government spending, means-tested benefits are often more expensive <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=7a4798a7c7&e=b80de0d97c>
to provide, on average, than universal benefits, simply because of the administrative support needed to vet and process applicants,” my colleague Li Zhou wrote <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manag
e.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=22245beee4&e=b80de0d97c> in 2021.
More than that, means testing reduces how effective antipoverty programs can be because a lot of people miss out on benefits. As Zhou points out, figuring out who qualifies for welfare
takes a lot of work, both from the government and potential recipients who have to fill out onerous applications. The paperwork can be daunting and can discourage people from applying.
It can also result in errors or delays that would easily be avoided if a program is universal.
There’s also the fact that creating an income threshold creates incentives for people to avoid advancing in their careers or take a higher-paying job. One woman I interviewed a few years
ago, for example, told me <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=a7e6f17a3f&e=b80de0d97c> that after she started a job as a medical assistant
and lost access to benefits like food stamps, it became harder to make ends meet for her and her daughter. When lawmakers aggressively means test programs, people like her are often
left behind, making it harder to transition out of poverty.
As a result, means testing can seriously limit a welfare program’s potential. According to a report by the Urban Institute, for example, the United States can reduce poverty by more
than 30 percent <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=429c104192&e=b80de0d97c> just by ensuring that everyone who is eligible for an
existing program receives its benefits. One way to do that is for lawmakers to make more welfare programs universal instead of means-tested.
Why universal programs are a better choice
Continue reading….. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=39b1c29211&e=b80de0d97c>
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2025 Management & Leadership Training Conference
NCAP invites you to join us for our 2025 Management and Leadership Training Conference <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=77e8958f62&e=b80de0d97c>
(MLTC) <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=84d5d6b443&e=b80de0d97c> , taking place January 29th – 31st, 2025, (Pre-Conference: Jan.
28th) in New Orleans, LA! NCAP’s MLTC is targeted to board and staff leaders at Community Action Agencies. The 2025 MLTC will feature intensive training, structured roundtable discussions,
and networking opportunities. Whether you’ve been leading and managing for years, or you’re looking forward to that promotion into management, you’ll become your best at MLTC!
* Register Here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=210da80746&e=b80de0d97c>
* Registration Guide <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=61a1e920c8&e=b80de0d97c>
* Draft Agenda <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=161847c3b1&e=b80de0d97c>
NCAP’s 2025 Management and Leadership Training Conference will be held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, located within a mile of the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the Aquarium
of the Americas. The hotel offers fine dining, a cocktail lounge, and a Health Club that includes weight training equipment, outdoor pools, saunas and more.
Click here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=dcad5e6267&e=b80de0d97c> to book a room.
2025 Innovations and Solutions for Ending Unsheltered Homelessness
<https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=b683759d5e&e=b80de0d97c>
Registration is open for the 2025 Innovations and Solutions for Ending Unsheltered Homelessness <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=f18c7f7ef7&e=b80d
e0d97c> Conference. The conference will take place from February 26 – 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
Learn More and Register Today <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=64f5adb97b&e=b80de0d97c>
<https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=72ac097288&e=b80de0d97c>
Register <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=25c2f1ae5b&e=b80de0d97c> Here <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818e
bd4ce40eb&id=f9361f4dde&e=b80de0d97c> LIHEAP Action Day
Join us for LIHEAP Action Day on March 5, 2025, and the Advocacy Boot Camp and State Team Meetings on March 4, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard and advocate
for energy affordability.
Advocacy Boot Camp and State Team Meetings
Date: March 4, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
What is LIHEAP Action Day?
LIHEAP Action Day is an advocacy event where participants meet with members of Congress to highlight the importance of energy assistance programs and ensure families in need have access
to essential services year-round. Advocates from 45 states attended in 2024, participating in 300+ meetings with Congress.
As a NEUAC member, your voice is crucial in shaping policy on energy assistance and energy affordability.
Registration Fees
NEUAC Members & Sponsor Organizations
Free for 2 attendees
Additional registrations at Standard rates
Discount code needed. Use code: comp25
Standard (Nonprofit, Government, Tribes)
$150 per attendee
Standard (Utilities, Corporations, Trade Associations)
$250 per attendee
Contact NEUAC for a discount code if your organization is bringing a customer or client who has received LIHEAP.
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Save the Date!
The 2025 CAPLAW National Training Conference will take place at the Sheraton Copley in Boston, MA. Join us May 28-30 to learn, be inspired, and connect with others in the Community Action
Network!
Registration Opens in February!
Learn More! <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=a0811c753e&e=b80de0d97c>
Workshop tracks include:
Governance
Finance
Human Resources
Programs
Specialized
Who should attend:
CAA staff + board
Other federal grantees
Attorneys
Financial consultants
Federal + state officials
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Developmental Disabilities Administration
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Save The Date: 2025 Community Summit
DSHS Developmental Disabilities Administration is proud to announce Community Summit 2025. The Community Summit continues a long tradition of conferences that have focused on expanding
access to supported employment, supported living and assistive technology. The Summit is a two-day conference that brings together individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
self-advocates, families, friends, partners and allies to work together toward building more inclusive communities.
When: June 3 - 4, 2025
Where: Wenatchee Convention Center. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=8a39104b7f&e=b80de0d97c>
Planning will begin soon! To stay up to date, please visit us at the Community Summit Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thecommunitysummit/. <https://wapartnership.us4.list-manage.com/track/c
lick?u=acf3cee5bbda818ebd4ce40eb&id=0c7699a4b7&e=b80de0d97c> The community Summit website will be launching soon at https://www.gowise.org/wise-events/the-community-summit/. <https://wapartnership.u
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If you have questions about Community Summit 2025 or want to know how you can be involved, please contact Community Summit steering committee coordinator Ron Bryan at Ronald.Bryan@dshs.wa.gov
<mailto:Ronald.Bryan@dshs.wa.gov> .
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⬇️CONNECT WITH US FOR THE LATEST UPDATES!⬇️
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