Veterans and Human Services Levy improving housing and health for veterans and their families, others in need- King County

July 17, 2008

Veterans and Human Services Levy improving housing and health for veterans and their families, others in need

Levy Citizen Oversight Boards to hold July 24 meeting in Auburn

Shining a spotlight on the housing, homeless prevention, and treatment services helping individuals and families in South King County and elsewhere in the region achieve and maintain healthier and more stable lives, the two Veterans and Human Services Levy Oversight Boards invite the community to attend the quarterly joint board meeting to be held in Auburn. The meeting will take place July 24, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Building, 405 E Street NE in Auburn.

Regional service providers and elected officials will offer updates on new and enhanced services helping to improve the stability and health of local veterans and military personnel, their families and others in need. The meeting is open to the public, with time set aside for public comment.

"The Veterans and Human Services Levy is opening doors to housing, treatment and support services for aging and returning veterans and other individuals and families in need across the county," said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, who represents the 7th district and chairs the King County Regional Policy Committee (RPC), one of two council committees that provide levy oversight. "There is no greater calling for the citizens of this country than to look after and care for those brave individuals who have served under our flag and sacrificed themselves to protect us. The voters of King County have shown their compassion and understanding of the importance of caring for our own by approving the funding that makes these needed services possible."

Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis and Enumclaw Mayor John Wise, both instrumental in the passage of the levy and fellow members of the RPC, will attend the meeting and speak to the levy's goals, accomplishments and progress in assisting veterans and other individuals and families countywide.

The new or enhanced services are the result of voter approval of a 2005 ballot measure that generates over $13 million annually for six years to fund regional health and human services, including housing, homelessness prevention, treatment services, and employment assistance.

Several local service providers will offer brief overviews of levy-supported programs helping low-income and homeless residents find housing and connect to a range of mental health, substance abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling and treatment services. Presenters will include:

Tammy Money, Multi-Service Center, Federal Way on the Housing Stability Program, which provides emergency financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments in response to short-term crises, allowing low-income residents to preserve their housing and prevent homelessness
Faith Richie, Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation on several levy programs, including the Valley Cities Landing Project, which will create 10 new units of permanent affordable housing linked to case management and employment services for homeless families and veterans in South King County
Scott Swaim, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program on providing counseling and other services to veterans suffering from PTSD
Faith Wimberley, HealthPoint Community Health Centers on the service gaps for veterans and others in need and enhancing behavioral health services to reach and serve people countywide
Declan Wynne, Sound Mental Health on reaching out to homeless individuals in South King County through the PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) model, which provides mental health and substance abuse treatment linked to housing

Members of both the Regional Human Services Oversight Board and the Veterans Citizen Levy Oversight Board will attend. Board member Kathy Lewis feels fortunate to play a role in the levy implementation. "As a member of the Veterans Citizen Levy Oversight Board, I am learning that there are so many more things that we need to do to help not only our returning veterans, but those who have served honorably in previous wars or actions," said Lewis. "It is our job to make sure there are programs and facilities to help them get back to their lives. After all, they are the reason that we have the freedoms that we so enjoy. Now it is our turn to help them."

Information on the Veterans and Human Services Levy, including a copy of the 2007 Annual Report, is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/dchs/levy or by calling Linda Peterson, Division Director, Community Services Division at 206-263-9062. Individuals served by levy housing and human services are available for interviews upon request.

King County Executive, Ron Sims County news Executive initiatives Excellence in Government Executive offices Biography Contact information King County Executive Office Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT King County Executive, Ron Sims King County Executive You're in: King County Executive, Ron Sims print July 17, 2008 Veterans and Human Services Levy improving housing and health for veterans and their families, others in need Levy Citizen Oversight Boards to hold July 24 meeting in Auburn Shining a spotlight on the housing, homeless prevention, and treatment services helping individuals and families in South King County and elsewhere in the region achieve and maintain healthier and more stable lives, the two Veterans and Human Services Levy Oversight Boards invite the community to attend the quarterly joint board meeting to be held in Auburn. The meeting will take place July 24, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Building, 405 E Street NE in Auburn. Regional service providers and elected officials will offer updates on new and enhanced services helping to improve the stability and health of local veterans and military personnel, their families and others in need. The meeting is open to the public, with time set aside for public comment. "The Veterans and Human Services Levy is opening doors to housing, treatment and support services for aging and returning veterans and other individuals and families in need across the county," said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, who represents the 7th district and chairs the King County Regional Policy Committee (RPC), one of two council committees that provide levy oversight. "There is no greater calling for the citizens of this country than to look after and care for those brave individuals who have served under our flag and sacrificed themselves to protect us. The voters of King County have shown their compassion and understanding of the importance of caring for our own by approving the funding that makes these needed services possible." Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis and Enumclaw Mayor John Wise, both instrumental in the passage of the levy and fellow members of the RPC, will attend the meeting and speak to the levy's goals, accomplishments and progress in assisting veterans and other individuals and families countywide. The new or enhanced services are the result of voter approval of a 2005 ballot measure that generates over $13 million annually for six years to fund regional health and human services, including housing, homelessness prevention, treatment services, and employment assistance. Several local service providers will offer brief overviews of levy-supported programs helping low-income and homeless residents find housing and connect to a range of mental health, substance abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling and treatment services. Presenters will include: Tammy Money, Multi-Service Center, Federal Way on the Housing Stability Program, which provides emergency financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments in response to short-term crises, allowing low-income residents to preserve their housing and prevent homelessness Faith Richie, Valley Cities Counseling & Consultation on several levy programs, including the Valley Cities Landing Project, which will create 10 new units of permanent affordable housing linked to case management and employment services for homeless families and veterans in South King County Scott Swaim, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program on providing counseling and other services to veterans suffering from PTSD Faith Wimberley, HealthPoint Community Health Centers on the service gaps for veterans and others in need and enhancing behavioral health services to reach and serve people countywide Declan Wynne, Sound Mental Health on reaching out to homeless individuals in South King County through the PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) model, which provides mental health and substance abuse treatment linked to housing Members of both the Regional Human Services Oversight Board and the Veterans Citizen Levy Oversight Board will attend. Board member Kathy Lewis feels fortunate to play a role in the levy implementation. "As a member of the Veterans Citizen Levy Oversight Board, I am learning that there are so many more things that we need to do to help not only our returning veterans, but those who have served honorably in previous wars or actions," said Lewis. "It is our job to make sure there are programs and facilities to help them get back to their lives. After all, they are the reason that we have the freedoms that we so enjoy. Now it is our turn to help them." Information on the Veterans and Human Services Levy, including a copy of the 2007 Annual Report, is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/dchs/levy or by calling Linda Peterson, Division Director, Community Services Division at 206-263-9062. Individuals served by levy housing and human services are available for interviews upon request.
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	Updated: July 17, 2008