September 2008:
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) 211-WASH
(206) 461-3610 TTY
M-F, 8am-6pm
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
Volunteer Services
(206) 461-3210 ext.
611
M-F, 8am-5pm
New Crisis Clinic Housing Brochures
Crisis Clinic’s “Low-Cost
Housing” brochure has been updated and split into two brochures – “Low-Income
Housing” and “Transitional Housing.” The Transitional Housing brochures now
distinguish between programs that require referrals and those that do not.
The new brochures, as well as others highlighting services for homeless
people in King County, are available for download here.
Child Abuse Prevention Guide Available Free
Parenting Press has received 1,000
copies of “It’s My Body” which are slightly damaged (a half-inch tear in
the bottom of
the title page) and thus unsalable. Because the book describes how toddlers
and preschoolers can avoid sexual abuse, we are donating these books to nonprofits
and government and military agencies that work with children who may be
vulnerable. This is a 32-page picture book designed to be read to children.
If your agency would like copies of this title (a limited number are
available),
contact Parenting Press on agency letterhead at PO Box 75267, Seattle, WA
98175. Recipients may be identified by name on our Web site. For details
about the book, click here.
Economic Stimulus Payments Still Available
United Way of King County reports
that more than 28,000 taxpayers in King County are eligible for the Economic
Stimulus Payment but have not filed a tax return. If these individuals
do not file by Oct. 15, they will not receive the $300 or $600 they are
entitled to, and approximately $8.5 million will fail to come back into the
community. Individuals who received more than $3,000 in wages, Social
Security payments, Social Security Disability payments and/or veterans
benefits in 2007 may be eligible for the payment. For outreach materials for
clients, call (206) 461-5048.
Get Connected at Community Resource Exchange
Friday, Sept. 12,
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Qwest Field Plaza, Seattle
The United Way of King County Community Resource
Exchange brings community members and organizations together to provide
homeless individuals and families in King County with immediate services, all
in one place, in one day. Services include long-distance phone calls, care
packages, legal assistance and foot care. Child care will be available for
participants. In 2007, the event helped more than 1,000 people. For details,
click here.
EKC Habitat for Humanity Holding Info Meetings
Habitat for Humanity
of East King County will hold four information meetings in September for
families interested in homeownership. Families must attend one of the information
meetings to get an application packet. Habitat for Humanity of East King
County is seeking families for two-, three- and four-bedroom homes in
Snoqualmie and Issaquah (and possibly Carnation). For more information on
eligibility and for the times and locations of the meetings, click here.
Free Civil Rights Forums
The King County Office of Civil Rights
is hosting a series of six free community forums at King County libraries in
September and October to help people learn more about their rights and
responsibilities under anti-discrimination laws. Civil Rights Specialists
will be there to provide practical advice, focusing on civil rights basics,
such as how to recognize discrimination, where and how to report it, and how
to prevent discrimination from occurring. These workshop locations are
accessible and have free parking. For information, click here, or call (206)
296-7592 or e-mail.
Accessible Voting Machines Publicized
Alliance of People with disAbilities
is engaged in a campaign to increase community
awareness of accessible voting machines and is providing hands-on
practice voting before Election Day. The machines feature easy to read, large and high
contrast text ballots, audio ballot options in English and Chinese, and
tactile pieces to assist blind voters. For more information call (206)
633-6623.
September is Disaster Preparedness Month
Washington state’s Emergency
Management Division has named September National Preparedness and Weather Radio
Awareness Month. Events include a statewide drop, cover and hold earthquake
drill Sept. 24 at 10:15 a.m. Weather radios are being promoted as all-hazard
warning systems. The governor has recommended weather radios become as common
as smoke detectors. For details, click here.
Latino Family Health Fair
Saturday, Sept. 6
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1320 Auburn Way, S
Auburn
The 4th annual Latino Family
Health Fair offers free information and resources for the entire family,
including the following health screenings: Mammograms, Paps, Diabetes, Blood
Pressure, Vision, Dental and Osteoporosis. Food, prizes, local clinics and
English classes also available. For details, call (253) 874-7642.
Web site Helps with School Readiness
Foundation for Early Learning has
created a new Web site, Getting
School Ready, to help prepare children for school. The Web site contains the same
information as the Getting School Ready booklets - helpful resources that
support adults in preparing their early learners for kindergarten. This
online resource also includes book lists developed by children’s librarians, links
to help find neighborhood libraries, and downloadable early learning
resources.
Apple Health for Kids Bus Comes to King County
The Apple Health for Kids bus
has been touring Washington promoting a new initiative to increase enrollment
in children’s medical assistance programs offered by DSHS. The initiative
streamlines the application process. The bus will be in Auburn Sept. 6 and in
Seattle Sept. 10. Click here
for complete schedule and times as well as more information about the
program.
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Respite Care Program: An Essential Element
of Supporting Local Family Caregivers
By Carole Bourree, Aging and Disability Services
Respite Care Coordinator
Taking
care of a loved one can be a full-time job. It requires hard work, patience, and good health. Unpaid caregivers need time off to
maintain their health and well-being.
The Seattle-King County Respite Care Program
gives unpaid caregivers a much needed break from the daily routines of
caregiving.
We’d
like to share with you a look at the vital support that the Respite Program
provides for one local family.
Grace Newman and Son Don Both Enjoy Their Wednesday Afternoons
 Whatever other
hopes and dreams he might have harbored for his golden years, at age 77,
Donald Newman finds himself in the role of primary, unpaid caregiver for his
96-year-old mother. Her low vision, profound hearing loss, and
significant mobility issues have made Grace Newman dependent on full time
care by her son. Despite his own difficulties and losses in his life, Don is
committed to helping his mother live out her life in her own home. They are
grateful that Grace has remained alert and oriented. She is keenly aware of
the wonderful care she receives from her son and the sacrifices he has made
for her. For his birthday this year, she demonstrated her appreciation
with a homemade card, which took her weeks to complete with fingers so stiff
she can barely hold a pencil. While an outsider might not be impressed
with the result, Donald will always treasure it for the love that his mother
put into it.
Grace
rarely leaves her Ballard home these days. A past hip fracture contributed to
her difficulty with walking, despite a hip replacement and her trusty walker.
Stairs have become nearly impossible for her. So it is not safe for Don to
leave his cherished, frail mother home alone. But both look forward to
Wednesday afternoons, when their respite aide arrives to spend a few hours
with Grace. This gives Don a much needed break from caregiving. It affords
him an opportunity to spend time with other important people in his life, run
essential errands, or go to medical appointments to manage his own health
concerns.
A
special bond has formed between Grace and home care aide “Joan,” who comes to
them through Solid Ground Home Care (formerly Fremont Home Care), a
contracted respite provider agency. Grace especially enjoys savoring a cup of
tea, which Joan has learned to make “just the way she likes it.” The family
has been fortunate to keep the same aide since enrolling with the Respite
Program. Don cared for his mother with very little help for three years
before he learned about the program in 2004. He was approaching “burnout,” an
all too common state for long-term caregivers. He says Joan is “super” and he
doesn’t know how he could have continued to take care of his mother without
the assistance of the Respite Care Program.
The Seattle-King County Respite Care Program is
administered by Aging and Disability Services, as part of the City of Seattle Human
Services Department. You may
qualify for Respite Care if you are:
·
18 years or older and caring for a person with a disability who is 18
years or older
·
The primary caregiver
·
Unpaid
for your caregiving
Call
one of the following Senior Information & Assistance (I&A) Programs
to find out if you are eligible:
Seattle,
North & South King County
Senior Services I & A
(206) 448-3110
(800) 972-9990
East
King County
Evergreen Care Network Case Management Program
(425) 899-3200 1(800) 676-6692
Chinese-Speaking
Persons
Chinese Information & Service Center
(206) 624-5633 •
Eastside Cultural Navigator Program:
Help is now available
in Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Languages of India
Many people previously stymied
by language difficulties are now able to get help for their families thanks
to the full launch of the Eastside Cultural Navigator Program.
The Eastside Cultural Navigator
Project is designed for immigrants and refugees who may have difficulty accessing
health, housing or human services or who need assistance in learning the
norms of everyday life, such as how to talk to a school teacher, how to apply
for a job, or how to take the Metro bus. The program works to ensure needs
are met with available resources and also works to limit the problems that
can arise through isolation and lack of information.
“We’ve struggled for many years
with the difficulties of ensuring that all are able to tap the services on
our campus,” said Pam Mauk, Executive Director, Family Resource Center. “The
great increase in immigrants and refugees on the Eastside corresponds with
tremendous funding pressures for human services agencies. The 18 agencies on
the Family Resource Center campus are very grateful to have a better way to
help immigrants.”
The program has been
experimenting with its model for the last year but has now launched with a
full contingent of “navigators,” including Russian support at Crossroads Mini
City Hall and near full-time support in Spanish at Family Resource Center.
Chinese-language assistance is found on Wednesdays at the Center, and four
hours of supports in the languages of India are available on Tuesdays.
East King County has a greater percentage
of immigrants and refugees than the city of Seattle. It’s estimated that 31% of Bellevue
residents speak a language other than English at home. That is true of over
half of those tapping services at HealthPoint medical clinic on the Family
Resource Center campus.
In response, the Eastside Refugee and Immigrant
Coalition (ERIC) was formed to meet these growing needs. After a first effort
(the printing in five languages of a resource directory, Healthy
Communities), ERIC convened a group of interested agency leaders to work
on a new strategy. From this group the Eastside Cultural Navigator Program
was launched. Chinese Information and Service Center was selected to
coordinate the program, and funding was garnered from the cities of Redmond,
Kirkland and Bellevue, and King County.
Russian-speaking customers of the program
recently wrote a letter to the city of Bellevue, which was signed by scores
of participants. “When we are worried or scared we come to (Irina
Chermeshnyuk) and (she) helps us decide what to do next…We feel a part of the
community because...of this wonderful cultural program provides someone who
speaks our language to help us.”
For more information, call or e-mail the
program coordinator, Chor Phen Ng: (425) 289-8607, phenn@cisc-seattle.org, at Chinese
Information & Service Center. •
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Basic
Food Program Expanding Eligibility
The income limits will increase for Basic Food, Washington’s food
stamp program, Oct. 1. To inform and educate people about the program changes
and benefits, DSHS will incorporate many of the following key messages in a
comprehensive marketing and outreach campaign.
WHAT IS THE BASIC FOOD PROGRAM?
Basic Food is a food and nutrition program for individuals and
families who meet income guidelines. Also known as the food stamp program,
Basic Food helps people to afford a nutritious diet by providing eligible
households an electronic benefits card and monthly benefits to buy food at
participating grocery stores.
THE RULES HAVE CHANGED!
The gross income limits to apply for the program will increase to
200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which means a family of 4 will
qualify if they make less than $3,534 per month. Net income limits and asset
limits are also waived under this expansion. If someone applies in September
2008, DSHS will look at eligibility for October at that time.
GETTING BASIC FOOD IS EASIER
·
People can
apply in person at the local office, by mail, or online
·
We can
arrange a phone interview anytime an in-office interview is inconvenient and
we can help verify any required information
·
People can
call toll-free at (877) 514-FOOD (3663) for more information or to request an
application
·
On average,
applications for eligible households are approved in fewer than nine days
·
More than
half of all applications are approved in fewer than six days
·
Fewer
reporting requirements and longer eligibility periods make it easier to keep
getting Basic Food every month •
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Critical
Resource Updates
Compiled
by Resource Center Staff
It
is always recommended to check Community
Resources Online for additional information and for the most current
information updates of the following resources.
Operational Emergency
Center, a multi-service agency serving South Seattle and the surrounding area
has closed due to financial difficulties. The agency provided basic
assistance, including food, clothing and household supplies to individuals
and families. For a list of alternate resources, click here to e-mail Sara Gall at Solid
Ground.
Seattle Housing
Authority is expanding its waiting list check-in program called “Save My
Spot” to those on its waiting list for senior housing. Beginning Oct. 1, SHA
will require senior housing applicants to check in once a month to keep their
position on the list. For details, click here. •
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September and
October Selected Resources
Compiled by Crisis Clinic’s Resource Center Staff
This
column highlights 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.
September Resource
Highlights
American Lung Association of Washington
Web site locates flu shot clinics by ZIP codes. The
Locator, at http://www.flucliniclocator.org/,
provides the date, times, address, phone number and a map for the clinics
offering flu shots near the ZIP code. Site reopens with new information each
September.
Atlantic Street Center
Provides a research-based and research-validated early childhood literacy and
school readiness program that strengthens families and prepares children for
academic success through extensive home visiting. Program services start in
late September and run throughout the school year. Program duration is for
two years.
Gethsemane Community Services
Serves a hot meal followed by a movie each Saturday at 11 a.m. from September
through May. Ticket pick-up: 9:30 a.m., Saturday. Doors close at 11:30 a.m.
Millionair Club Charity, Inc.
A weekly eye clinic is available for clients who need an eye exam. Clients
are eligible for an exam and a pair of glasses once per year. The program is
run by volunteer opticians and optometrists Thursday mornings from September
through June and is funded by the Lions Sight Foundation.
Municipal League of King County
Non-partisan organization investigates issues impacting residents and
governments of King County. Volunteers are coordinated to prepare an election
guide in July and August. September and November reports carry the League’s
report on candidates and ballot issues. Reports are free and available to the
public.
Washington Women
in Need
Provides financial assistance for health care. Focuses on preventive care
including physical exams, hearing exams, Pap smears and mammograms. Does not
pay for hospitalizations. Dental care may include major restorative work. Eye
care may include exams and glasses. Call for application. Phone line opens
Thursday, Sept. 25, at 8 a.m. First come; first served.
October Resource
Highlights
Families
for Effective Autism Treatment - FEAT of Washington
Program hosts children with autism and their siblings. Activities are
designed to get children out of the house and facilitate productive social
interaction with other children. Activities are run by trained facilitators
and include fun, social and educational activities geared specifically to
children with autism and their siblings. Provides three hours of quality
respite for parents. Every second Saturday of the month 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
October through June.
Solid Ground - Volunteer
Program
Volunteers, many who are homebound, knit or crochet handmade hats, scarves,
mittens and baby items for homeless people in Seattle/King County.
Approximately 3,000 items are made annually. Volunteers who want to make
clothing are asked to call or visit the office. Finished clothing is given to
shelters and agencies in the community. Agencies should inquire in October
about application and distribution dates (usually November-December) every
year.
University of Washington – Law
School Clinics
Opens two of its law school clinics in October – the Mediation Clinic and the
Entrepreneurial Law Clinic. The Mediation Clinic assists with
landlord/tenant, contract, employment, claims of discrimination,
consumer-merchant disputes and interpersonal disputes such as roommate or
co-worker conflicts. The Entrepreneurial Law Clinic provides legal advice to
low-income micro-entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs in economically distressed
communities and pre-funded high-tech start ups. •
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, September 02, 2008 04:21 PM
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