This post was written by guest blogger, Erin Milliren, an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Bridge to Basics program, a partnership between United Way of King County, Within Reach, the City of Seattle and Americorps 

Hi, my name is Erin Milliren. I am one of the four AmeriCorps service members who staff the Bridge to Basics outreach team. Based out of WithinReach in North Seattle, we travel all throughout King County. We visit food banks, public libraries, WorkSource offices and public service centers.…

The April revenue reports are in and the picture is not rosy.  Public officials were hoping that the slight increase seen in the last revenue forecast would continue, but those hopes were dashed when Arun Raha, the state’s economist, announced that the April revenue level was 1.8% below the previous month (when the unanticipated revenue from collection of back taxes is excluded from the calculation). 

With thoughts of unanticipated revenue from existing revenue sources out of the picture, several other issues are holding…

This blog was prepared by Sherry Hamilton, Communications Manager, Office of the Director, King County Dept. of Community and Human Services

The House and Senate budgets both cut mental health and substance abuse funding by less than the governor’s budget proposal, but the reductions are still significant – particularly as they come on top of cuts made in the last two legislative sessions. There are differences between the House and Senate budgets, and the House budget is the preferred alternative.

The House budget cuts an involuntary…

With continued cuts to Disability Lifeline (DL) looming, we decided to ask DL recipients attending United Way’s Community Resource Exchange how they might be affected by upcoming changes to their benefits. It is anticipated that the House and Senate will agree to preserve DL medical coverage. However, the cash assistance benefit will likely see big cuts, if not complete elimination. We asked people why they need this cash benefit and how they will get by if this benefit is no longer available. This is what…

This blog was written by Naomi Goodman, Senior Policy Analyst at Seattle Housing Authority

At the Federal Level

Congress passed the 2011 budget a few weeks back, ensuring some stability for housing and homeless providers for the remainder of the federal fiscal year, ending September 30. However, this year’s budget made significant cuts to affordable housing programs and laid the ground work for additional cuts in 2012. Local providers are struggling to comprehend how cuts will affect the communities they serve. The federal budget calls…

Of all the events United Way of King County spearheads throughout the year, the Community Resource Exchange is by far my favorite.

In one place, on one day—so many who are struggling to just survive have a day where it’s all about them.

Throughout the day, I and dozens of other volunteers were helping to find people who would be willing to share their stories with us.

For me, the most moving moments were hearing from young homeless women and their kids.

I…

Last Friday United Way of King County held it’s 6th Community Resource Exchange (CRE) at Qwest Field. While we’re still crunching the numbers, it is estimated that about 1,700 people experiencing homelessness accessed services, from foot washing to dental work, at the event. Seattle’s Q13 Fox News was on site covering the event and interviewing guests. Check out their short piece below.

With the 105 day regular session scheduled to end this Sunday, April 24, resolution of differences in revenue approaches and support for key programs will undoubtedly mean a special session.  The Governor will decide later this week when the special session should begin; she will certainly want a clear agenda with a focus on key issues before she calls legislators back to Olympia.  Options include calling lawmakers back immediately after the regular session adjourns, or waiting a while to allow leadership in both houses to come…

Congress and the Administration narrowly avoided a government shut down on April 8 just hours before the deadline. The final agreement to fund the federal government until the end of FY2011 (September 30, 2011) was the culmination of three and a half months of discussion about discretionary spending levels and policy stances.  The bill includes $38.5 billion in spending cuts for the remainder of this fiscal year.  

Mandatory spending – entitlement programs such as Medicaid and Social Security – were not the focus of…

Guest blogger David Fleming, MD, Director and Health Officer
Public Health-Seattle & King County

Ask Magan Cromar the value of Maternity Support Services (MSS) and tears will fill your eyes as she describes the life-preserving services she and her daughter received.  Magan had to leave her job after her daughter Sophie was born with special needs. A public health nurse visited their home in Issaquah twice a week to check on Sophie’s health and ultimately helped them through a health crisis that prevented an…