Greetings YDEKC Members & Friends!

“An effective advocate is persistent and resilient.”
– Mark Putnam, Executive Director of the Accelerator YMCA

For the next several months, I will be sharing quotes from our Advocacy Committee about their beliefs around advocacy. I offer my deep appreciation to the Advocacy Committee for giving their time and energy to our common good.

The year 2020 promises to be an exciting one for advocacy, with Youth Development conversations happening at the state level, and as we work toward the renewal of Best Starts for Kids in 2021. Please read our blog piece regarding Why Advocacy for Youth Development is Important! Thank you for joining us in this work.

In service and gratitude,

René Murry
Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Youth Development Executives of King County
ydekc.org | rmurry@ydekc.org | 206.963.6010

Washington State Activity  |  King County Activity  |  City Level Activity  |  Save the Dates & Resources

Join us in Olympia for Youth Development Advocacy Day!
YDEKC, School’s Out Washington, Soar, Kids Co., Communities in Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the YMCA are sponsoring the next YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ADVOCACY DAY on January 21st! Please use this link to sign up and join us in this opportunity to advocate for quality youth development programs in Washington State. There is also a way to participate virtually through social media if your group is unable to get to Olympia! Let’s let lawmakers hear how our children and youth REACH FOR THE STARS!

Advocacy Day Training Webinar
January 8, 2020, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, Online
To help us come to Olympia prepared and ready to educate and advocate, join us for our Advocacy Day Training Webinar. Register here to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about advocacy and educating policymakers about youth development and expanded learning opportunities. If you have any questions regarding Advocacy Day or the webinar, please email Hikma Sherka at hsherka@ydekc.org.

Wages, Rates, and Professional Development in the Non-profit Sector
YDEKC was present at the Re-Wire Policy Conference and the state Human Services Retreat in December to talk about issues important to non-profit providers and the associations that represent them. One issue that continues to rise up is the concern regarding competitive wages and adequate professional development for people working in non-profit organizations across all sectors. There will be a legislative request this session that focuses on reimbursement rates, establishing a joint executive and legislative select advisory committee on vendor rates. YDEKC will continue to be present and speak up regarding adequate reimbursement for providers in the field. The 2020 legislative session will have very few new budget requests, as “even” years are short sessions and the budget will have few changes.

The King County Alliance for Human Services honored King County CM Larry Gossett and his assistant Cindy Domingo at the last meeting of 2019. Several YDEKC members were in attendance, and the group recognized CM Gossett with a Proclamation recognizing his service.

Please consider joining the King County Alliance for Human Services for their monthly meetings. They are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Mercer Island Community Center from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM! It would be great to have more Youth Providers attending! Next year there will be a big focus on the renewal of the Best Starts for Kids Levy in 2021!

Funding opportunities for Unincorporated King County:
Behavioral Health Services in Rural King County (SI-02) Request for Proposals
The MIDD Team has released the Request for Proposals to support behavioral health services in rural King County. This includes the Community Service Areas (CSAs) under King County’s Department of Local Services. The small grants are available to all seven CSAs, and the medium-sized grants require a location in rural, unincorporated King County. Click the links above for the Zoom grant application portals. If you’d like to view the PDF versions of each grant opportunity for ease of forwarding, click the link, select “Preview,” and scroll down to the list of PDFs.

City of Seattle

Seattle Human Services Coalition – Annual Retreat Wrap-up
The Seattle Human Services Coalition (SHSC) held its annual retreat on December 3rd, 2019. YDEKC was represented there by Hikma Sherka, YDEKC Public Policy and Communications Coordinator; Richard Finley, Outreach & Engagement Director with Boys & Girls Clubs of King County; and René Murry, YDEKC Director of Public Policy and Advocacy. The group decided at this year’s retreat to have each coalition group reach out to their constituencies to see how SHSC can better serve the community.

If you are youth serving provider in Seattle, PLEASE JOIN US. We will meet in the Large Conference Room at SOWA‘s Seattle office. RSVP to René at rmurry@ydekc.org!

Washington Nonprofits 7th Annual Nonprofit Legislative Reception
February 11, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., The Governor’s Mansion
Please join us at the Governor’s Mansion to mingle with elected officials, connect with peers from across the state, and celebrate the contributions that nonprofit organizations make to our communities. This special event always features representatives from the public and nonprofit sectors as well as delicious refreshments prepared by the Governor’s Mansion’s staff. In addition, we will provide suggestions on how you can get the most out of your trip to Olympia. Register here before February 3rd to save your spot!

Advocacy Coffee Series
February 27, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Dubsea Coffee, Seattle
Join us for our Advocacy Coffee Series! Come have a casual conversation about YDEKC’s advocacy work and what your organization would like to see with YDEKC staff and members from our Advocacy Committee!