December 2007:
Contact us:
24-Hour Crisis Line
(206) 461-3222
(866) 4CRISIS or
(866) 427-4747
(206) 461-3219 TTY
24 hours, daily
2-1-1 Community
Information Line
Dial 2-1-1 or
(206) 461-3200
(800) 621-4636
(206) 461-3610 TTY
M-F, 7:30am-7:30pm;
Sa, 9:30am-2:30pm
Teen Link
(206) 461-4922
(866) TEENLINK or
(866) 833-6546
(206) 461-3219 TTY
6-10pm, nightly
Business Office
1515 Dexter Ave N
Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 461-3210
Fax: (206) 461-8368
M-F, 8am-5pm
2008 Where to Turn Directories to be sold in January
The 2008 Where to Turn Plus and Where to Turn directories
will be available for order Jan. 15, 2008. Downloadable order forms will be
on our Web site here
shortly before the directories come back from the publisher. Order forms will
also be sent to agencies on our mailing list. To confirm we have your correct
address, call Crisis Clinic’s business office at (206) 461-3210.
New HIV Testing Fact Sheet Available
Information about RNA Testing, also known as PCR testing or NAAT
(nucleic acid amplification testing) is now available as a .pdf on the Public Health – Seattle & King
County’s Web site here.
RNA testing detects HIV at an earlier stage than standard antibody testing.
For more information about RNA testing, call the HIV/STD hotline at (206)
205-7837.
Safety Trainings for Organizations Offered
Wed, Dec. 12, 1 p.m.
16225 NE 87th St,
Suite A-5
Family Resource Center
Redmond, 98052
Family Resource Center is organizing a two-hour training designed for
staff and volunteers of human service organizations. The workshop is designed
to help attendees implement safety strategies, including strategies for working with those “in
crisis,” understanding the importance of remaining vigilant in the presence
of “familiar” clients, monitoring client/visitor traffic and more. Cost is
$30 per person. For details, call (425) 869-6699.
Free Tax Campaign Needs Volunteers
The United Way Free Tax
Campaign provides free tax preparation services to help low-income families take
advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits and avoid
fees associated with commercial preparers. Volunteer tax preparers commit to
one four-hour shift per week throughout the tax season. Many shifts are
during evenings and weekends. Volunteers are also required to complete a
two-day training covering tax law and TaxWise software. Training sessions
will begin in early December. The need is especially high in Auburn, Renton,
SeaTac and Downtown Seattle. For details, click here.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Warning
With cold weather approaching, Washington Emergency Management Division is
reminding the public of carbon monoxide dangers that occur during power
outages. Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when residents improperly use
generators, charcoal burners and other heat sources to heat their homes. A
fact sheet is available here.
Youth Undoing Racism Workshop
Dec. 27, 6-8 p.m. and Dec.
28-29, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
2100 24th Ave S
Seattle, 98144
People’s
Institute Northwest, the Seattle
American Friends Service Committee, and the Village of Hope are offering
a free workshop for youth, ages 15 through 21. The workshop addresses the
symptoms of racism to an understanding of what it is, where it comes from,
how it functions, why it persists and how it can be undone Space is limited.
Dinner will be provided free Dec. 27, and lunch Dec. 28-29. For details, call
(206) 938-1023. Application Deadline: Friday, Dec. 14.
Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens to Host Open
House
Th., Dec. 6, Noon-3 p.m.
600 4th Ave
Seattle City Hall
The
Mayor’s
Office for Senior Citizens will hold a Holiday Open House for Seniors age
55 and over. Learn more about the programs offered to senior citizens through
the Mayor’s office. Light refreshments, door
prizes,
and a Sing-along will also be featured. For details, call (206) 684-0500.
Interactive Clubhouse Web site Launched
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has created www.FacingUs.org/ that will enable those
living with depression and bipolar disorder to create their own personal
wellness tools to aid them on the road to recovery. Users will be able to
create customizable personal journals, wellness plans and wellness books that
can be printed with artistic covers. The site is designed to be a
“clubhouse,” an online community that provides inspiration and encouragement
to others.
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Centralized
Information & Referral Point Created for Legal Referrals in King County
By Heidi Fischer, Northwest Justice Project
Starting January
1, 2008, people in King County with legal problems can call 2-1-1 to
receive information about and referrals to many free and low-cost civil (non-criminal) legal services.
How is this
system different from what we have now?
Until now, people in King County contacted the many legal services
agencies directly, often without knowing what kinds of cases they handled and
what services were offered. Numerous calls often had to be made before help
could be obtained, and frustration was sometimes the result. 2-1-1 will provide one centralized source
for legal information and referrals in King County. What’s more,
significant time has been spent gathering and updating information about the
many free and low-cost legal services available in King County to ensure
accurate referrals. 2-1-1 information and resource specialists are receiving
ongoing training to allow them to better identify legal issues and direct
callers to appropriate legal resources.
When should I
send someone to 2-1-1?
If you already know of a good service for a particular legal problem,
please continue sending people directly to that agency or program. However,
if you’re not sure, 2-1-1 will be a great place to send people in King
County.
When and how
can clients access 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is available to serve clients Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.
– 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Service is not
available on Sunday. Their
toll-free number, which may be necessary for clients calling from a pay
phone, is (877) 211-WASH. 2-1-1 works with a language line to provide
interpreters as needed at no cost to callers. Deaf and hearing-impaired callers
can call 7-1-1 to be connected to a relay operator at no cost, who will then
connect them with 2-1-1.
Clients and service providers may also access
2-1-1’s Web site at www.resourcehouse.com.
This Web site already features information on legal services, and will soon
reflect all of the detailed information on legal service providers recently
gathered in King County.
What will
happen when people call 2-1-1 for legal help?
2-1-1 specialists are not lawyers and therefore cannot provide legal
advice. However, callers can expect to speak with a trained information and
referral specialist who will collect demographic and income information,
discuss their legal issue, and, if an appropriate legal resource is available,
provide a referral.
How will
2-1-1 refer people to legal services?
Legal service agencies can receive referrals from 2-1-1 in one of two
ways:
ˇ
Directly from 2-1-1 to the agency by fax referral
(then the agency contacts the client within a specified period of time which
will vary by provider) or,
ˇ
2-1-1 advises callers to contact the agency on their
own.
Unless agencies have specifically agreed to receive
referrals by fax, callers will be advised to contact the agencies directly.
Will legal
service agencies still need to do their own screening?
Yes. Please be aware that while 2-1-1 will be collecting demographic and
income information, as well as speaking with the caller about her/his legal
issue, legal service providers will need to verify this information once
contact is made. 2-1-1 will
advise callers to expect additional screening from the referral agency to
determine actual eligibility.
Will the information gathered by 2-1-1 be
confidential?
The caller’s information contained in the referral forms and in 2-1-1’s
database is considered confidential and will not be disseminated other than
for the purpose of seeking to provide legal assistance for the person who is
the subject of the referral.
What are the
limitations of the new system?
Callers should be aware that many legal services are provided by
non-profit organizations, and many serve only low-income people. In addition,
services, especially representation by an attorney, are limited by staff
capacity and may not be available even if all case criteria are met.
How will the
success of the new system be evaluated?
2-1-1 will provide feedback to legal service providers in two ways:
ˇ
During the first three months of the program all
callers who receive a legal referral will be asked if they are willing to
accept a follow up call from 2-1-1 to inquire about the outcome of referrals
given. All those who agree will receive a follow up call (up to 2-1-1 staff’s
capacity). Follow up calls will continue after the initial three month
period, but the frequency will change to a percentage that has yet to be
determined (results of the first three months of follow up calls will be
evaluated to arrive at an appropriate number).
ˇ
2-1-1 will also track and report on the number and
type of legal calls for which there is currently no appropriate referral. •
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Self-Sufficiency Calculator
Created to Help with Career Planning and Budgeting
The Workforce
Development Councils of Washington State have created a free, online
resource to help agency staff and clients determine the earnings required for
a specific family to be self- sufficient – to meet its needs without
assistance. The Self-Sufficiency Calculator is located at http://www.thecalculator.org.
Case managers can use it to help their clients set
realistic career and earning goals. They can request a User ID and password,
which will allow them to save information in the database. Clients can use it
themselves to build and track a household budget and can create “test
scenarios,” such as whether a career path or specific job will pay enough to
cover their family’s needs, or how moving to another part of the county might
affect their expenses.
The program is based on the Self-Sufficiency
Standard for Washington, a series of formulas developed by the University of
Washington School of Social Work and shows costs for 70 different family
types and calculates expenses of the following basic needs: housing, child
care, food, transportation, health care, miscellaneous and taxes.
It is customized for the family’s area of residence
in all counties across Washington state and also takes into consideration any
public subsidies the family receives, and shows subsidies it could be
eligible for and how to access them. •
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the top
Critical
Resource Updates
Compiled by Crisis
Clinic’s Resource Center
It is always
recommended to check Community
Resources Online for additional information and for the most current
information updates of the following resources.
Boomtown Café, which had been
relocated to the Millionair’s Club, has closed.
Chief Seattle Club’s drop in center and administration office have moved to
a new location, 410 2nd Ave, Ext S, 98104. The drop in center had
previously been housed at the Archdiocesan Housing Authority’s Lazarus
Center. The expanded office hours are now M-F,
7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Between Dec. 3rd and 14th, the drop-in
service hours are M-F, 7-10 a.m.; starting Dec. 17, they will offer services
M-F, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. The phone number remains the same - (206) 292-6214.
Elizabeth Gregory Home has
opened a women’s drop-in center, in addition to its transitional housing
services. It’s for anyone, ages 18 and older, who identifies as female. It
provides laundry, hygiene kits, computers, breakfast and lunch daily, and
dinners twice per week. The drop-in center is located in the University
District, 1604, NE 50th St, University Lutheran Church. Hours are
M-F, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sa, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Su, 1-6 p.m.
Family & Adult Service Center has
changed its main phone number to (206) 357-3160. Screening for its shelter
and family center programs is done 24 hours daily at this number. No walk-ins
are accepted.
University District Senior Center (also
known as Hamilton House) has announced it will be closing at the end of
December.
Washington State Coalition for the
Homeless has relocated to Tacoma, at 1502 S Union Ave, Suite 3, 98405.
The office phone number is (253) 761-7436.
Washington State Council
on Problem Gambling has changed its name to Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling
and has moved its address to 1929 4th Ave E, Olympia.•
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December
and January Selected
Resources
Compiled by Crisis
Clinic’s Resource Center Staff
This column
highlights available timely resources in the community information
database that might otherwise go unnoticed by our users. It is always
recommended to check Community
Resources Online for additional information and for the most current
information concerning the following resources.
December Resource Highlights
Griefworks
Holds two public forums each month on the topics of grief and loss. Topics
deal with the holiday season in November and December. In December, forums
will be Dec. 6 from 7-8:30 p.m. and Dec. 10 from 10:30am-noon. In addition,
hosts a community holiday service of remembrance - “A Night to Remember” -
Dec. 7 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Lutheran Community Services
Northwest - Cascade People’s Center
Provides blankets and coats of all sizes, for any adults and children in need
for Winter Warmth Day. May also distribute a limited supply of socks. Items
are new or gently used. Distribution will occur Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
First-come, first-served. Donations still being accepted.
Providence
Hospice of Seattle
Presents “Lighting a Light for Our Children,” an evening of remembrance for
families and loved ones of children who have died. The event will take place
on Dec. 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph
Church, 732
18th Ave E in Seattle.
Attendees are invited to bring a photo of the child they are remembering. For
more information or to RSVP, please call (206) 749-7704.
January Resource Highlights
Seattle Indian Center
Summer Youth Employment Experience: a limited number of work experience
positions are available during the summer months to eligible high school
students. Interested parties should contact the Workforce Investment Act
office in January for further information.
Shoreline Community College
The restorative dental clinic will be open Thursday afternoons January
through May. Patients needing fillings may be referred to the clinic, where a
dentist prepares teeth and a hygiene student does the filling. Cannot do root
canal, orthodontic or surgical work, bridges, gold work, dentures or treat
dental emergencies. Also supervises students as they perform head and neck
exams, medical histories, blood pressure checks, oral exams, fluoride
treatments, cleaning and polishing, X-rays, oral cancer screening, sealants
and oral hygiene instruction. Complete dental care takes at least two
appointments that are three hours each. First appointment is examination only
(except for children), and includes exam and diagnosis by dentist.
Wallingford Community Senior Center
Provides income tax assistance for older adults from the middle of January through
April 15. •
Return to the top
“Resource
Talk,” Crisis Clinic’s free monthly e-newsletter, provides critical resource changes,
community events, feature articles on important health and human service
topics and updates to the annual publication of the Where to Turn Plus
directory. Click here
to subscribe or unsubscribe to Resource Talk.
You may view past issues of Resource Talk by clicking here.
Crisis
Clinic offers a variety of products to help connect people with critical resources.
Information about purchasing Crisis Clinic’s Where to Turn
Directories, Where to Turn CD-ROMs, customized reports, customized
mailing labels and holiday lists can be found online by clicking here.
Crisis Clinic respects the privacy of our Web site
users.
For business purposes, please e-mail us at ResourceCenter@CrisisClinic.org
or call us at (206) 461-3210.
http://www.crisisclinic.org/
This Newsletter was last updated on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 11:03 AM
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