by Guneeta Chadha
YDEKC represents children and youth issues within the Steering Committee for the Seattle Human Services Coalition (SHSC). Every year, SHSC pulls together a City Budget Task Force comprised of human services providers focused on an equitable recovery.
The City Budget Task Force is hoping to address wage inequities across the human services field by recommending a comparable Wage Equity Analysis Tool. This tool will address wage inequities across each sector to ensure that human services providers are compensated equitably for the vital services they provide to City of Seattle residents.
As the Mayor proposed the City of Seattle’s 2022 budget, the City Budget Task Force has been in conversations with council members to advocate for revisions to the proposed budget, which addresses inequities and centers an equitable recovery. Currently, YDEKC’s recommendation centers funding from the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) and re-engagement services and resources for Black, Indigenous, and Youth of Color who are in middle school (ages 12-14) since they have been left out of various funding streams across the sector.
DEEL’s budget proposal includes the following additions:
- Childcare Stabilization grants – $2.4M
- Seattle Promise – $6.7M
- Equitable Communities Initiative – $1.5M. Expanding and enhancing the work the city does with Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color. The proposal for this expansion also includes working with Black, Indigenous, and Youth of Color who are most impacted by systemic inequities.
Council members will continue to propose revisions to the Mayor’s budget proposal. As budget hearings continue, please visit City of Seattle’s Select Budget Committee to keep up to date with the latest information. Now is an important time for City Council members to hear from YOU about the importance of wage equity and funding for human services.
The next budget hearings will be held on Wednesday, November 10 at 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, November 18 at 9:30 a.m. Please sign up for public comment here!
