Pierce County Human Services Fall 2024 Employee Newsletter
Catching up with the Director
Greetings, Team!
Or, I should say “an-yang-ha-se-o,” the Korean pronunciation for “Good Day.” If you haven’t already heard from me or others who traveled to Seoul last month, it was amazing! Aaron, Nellis, Yoori, GuHun and I have been collecting and synthesizing our reflections from the trip, and Kari is now helping us put them all into polished communication materials. She’s also helping us imagine implementing some of the cool ideas we saw on our trip (distance learning for seniors!).
What I wanted to share with you here is just a few fun observations from spending a week in a foreign country with our colleagues:
• Yoori is an excellent translator and can walk REALLY far (and fast) in beautiful high heels.
• Aaron’s not so great with chopsticks, but he’s open to trying anything and his wife, Lauren, is a fearless eater and traveler!
• While GuHun is known here as a friendly co-worker, he’s got a HUGE community of good friends and family in Korea, many of whom took great care of us!
• Nellis was the most curious of us all and she and Brian brought home lots of cool gifts for their friends and families.
Traditional hanbox village with the modern Seoul skyline. I loved seeing the old and new together.
Eating lunch in one of the many markets. This spicy cold soup was my favorite…it had ice in it!
As for my personal observations from the trip:
• Koreans are super-friendly and they love to feed people. We were served fancy tiny snacks at each site we visited…and most of them were pretty good!
• Many of our hosts and others we interacted with spoke just enough English to help those of us who only knew how to say “hello” and “thank you” in their language. Phew.
• Koreans have a great degree of respect for their seniors, social workers and other professionals, and for elected and appointed officials.
• There was NO GARBAGE anywhere on the streets, in the subway, or even in the markets. There weren’t even garbage cans in public spaces!
• The density in Seoul is amazing – they use their space very efficiently and everything is crowded, but not chaotic (they line up to enter the subway trains).
This was an amazing trip for me personally and professionally. I am excited about how we can implement some of the innovative practices we learned about. I am grateful to Executive Dammeier for seeing the value in authorizing this trip and to our funders at HHS for funding outreach and education efforts to make this trip possible. And finally, I am ready to plan another field trip -where to next?
Ganbei (that’s “cheers” in Korean)!
-Heather
Morning walk across the park near our hotel…we always got up super early because of the 17-hour time difference!
go digital with popl
Popl, a new application for digital business cards, was officially approved for County employees! This convenient and eco-friendly app ensures that you’ll always have your business card ready to share.
To download the app, locate the Comp Portal on your mobile work phone. After signing in, search for Popl in the Apps section. You should then see an ’Install’ button at the top of the screen.
Once the app is downloaded, make an account, and then follow the instructions in this video to make your business card.
‘tis the season!
The Adopt-A-Family (AAF) team has officially begun matching families to gifters! Thanks to everyone who nominated families this year.
For three decades, AAF has been helping make end of the year celebrations brighter for families and seniors (pets, too!) in Pierce County. Check out the intranet webpage for more information about AAF and what to expect in the weeks to come.
Take a look back at last year’s giving and get inspired for the upcoming holiday season!
Burnout & Wellness training
Join us at the Environmental Services Building on Friday, Dec. 13 for an empowering training focused on your wellbeing.
Topics will cover compassion fatigue, emotional processing, burnout, and boundaries. RSVP through the online form and contact Anika Moran with any questions! Lunch from Panera Bread will also be provided!
2025 homeless point-in-time count
The personal circumstances that may lead to homelessness are many and can impact people from every community.
We are actively recruiting volunteers and donations to support the 2025 PIT count, which helps us understand why people experience homelessness.
Volunteers can help by attending events during the PIT Count or through surveying people experiencing homelessness from Jan. 30-31, 2025.
Learn more about how to get involved on our PIT webpage!
HERO AWARDS
The
third quarter winners of 2024 were... senior farmers
market nutrition program phone team
Mickie Brown, Davonna Barrow, Jean Kim, Kylea O’Rourke, Kim Kohn, Nelya Terletska, Steven Eaton, Tammy Montgomery, and Dawn Crowell! category: above & beyond | act of kindness
“The success of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program relies on several interconnected components, with one function standing out as particularly critical: the Phone Team. Starting on May 1 each year, this team handles hundreds of phone applications from callers seeking assistance with benefit enrollment.
Beyond processing applications, the Phone Team upholds our agency’s high customer service standards. They troubleshoot application issues, ensure inquiries reach the right person promptly, and follow up to resolve any outstanding matters. Their seamless coordination – often covering for each other during vacations and other duties – ensures callers receive the support they need. Without this team, we could not have distributed the 4,015 electronic benefit cards this 2024 Farmers Market season!
We recognize the indispensable role of our dedicated Phone Team. Their hard work, dedication, and efficient teamwork are essential for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program’s success, and it is why we would like to officially acknowledge their efforts.”
- Ivan Tudela
2024 q3 nominees
Weatherization Auditors Team (Michael Johnson, Eric Seemann, Matt Shirer) | Above & Beyond
”Weatherization is a very complex and detailed program. The goal is to ensure that clients are able to make their homes more energy efficient and lower their utility bills. These three gentlemen go above and beyond with every client they serve.”
Energy Subject Matter Experts on the Front Lines
(Huong Nguyen, Luz Hilyn Sobremonte, and Shantell Ingram) |
Acts of Kindness
“When gifted the opportunity of covering the front desk, I observed Huong, Luz, and Shantell working closely with walkins, Energy clients, and prospective Energy clients. Huong, Luz, and Shantell are super knowledgeable about the Energy program and are consistently professional, compassionate, and helpful to all who seek assistance.”
Michelle Bullinger | Mentorship
“Michelle Bullinger has actively participated in planning the staff appreciation events for years. Every year, I am blown away by her dedication to making employees feel important, valued, and appreciated.”
Matt Shirer | Above & Beyond
“Matt came to us almost two years ago, a newbie to the Weatherization program, but his grit and determination has made him irreplaceable. I truly appreciate having Matt on the team as he is the one who gets the job done.”
GOOD NEIGHBOR VILLAGE
GROUNDBREAKING
In November, we were thrilled to break ground on Tacoma Rescue Mission’s Good Neighbor Village in Spanaway, which will provide 285 units of permanent housing and care to Pierce County’s chronically homeless neighbors.
The Good Neighbor Village will restore dignity, purpose, and stability to struggling individuals in a safe, supportive, and healing community. Additional services will be provided to residents, including health and dental care, mental health counseling, and addiction treatment.
This is a proven solution for bringing individuals out of homelessness and is modeled after the Community First! Village in Austin, Texas.
Check out more photos from the groundbreaking!
What is the Good Neighbor Village?
The Good Neighbor Village will provide permanent housing and care to Pierce County’s chronically homeless neighbors, restoring dignity, purpose, and stability within a safe, supportive, and healing community.
This represents a new chapter for Tacoma Rescue Mission, extending their services to create permanent housing specifically for the chronically unhoused. Currently, the Mission is leading fundraising efforts for the Village and will also serve as its dedicated operators, ensuring continuous care and support for those in need.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
• The village will be home to 285 residents who will resident in beautiful, single-unit homes they can personalize to their style, interests, and needs. All homes will be located on a property near Joint Base Lewis McChord in Spanaway.
• Onsite supportive services will be provided to residents including health and dental care, mental health counseling, addiction recovery treatment, and more.
• Restored purpose and responsibility. Residents will be expected to pay rent, uphold community rules, and seek employment opportunities (which will be offered onsite).
• The preserved, surrounding wetlands will provide a peaceful and healing environment. Only 27 of the 89-acre property will be utilized for the Good Neighbor Village.
Highlights Program
Amazingemployeesdoingamazingwork.
$3.5M grant awarded for youth homelessness
Our mighty homeless team was awarded over three million dollars from HUD (in person, with a big check!) as part of their Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP), which supports housing solutions for youth and young adults.
The team partnered with the Pierce County Youth Action Board to complete the application, leaning on the young people’s lived experiences to guide the work. This is a huge win!
Read their full press release.
hotel conversion to affordable housing
In January 2023, we awarded LIHI over $10M to support a new shelter project, which would eventually lead them to acquire the Oasis Inn.
Pierce County residents experiencing homelessness who are in need of a place to stay after medical care will soon have a place to rehabilitate. The hotel will support 117 units of shelter and housing. Great job, team!
Read a news story about it.
$1.9M awarded to reduce food insecurity
Our Community Action Programs (CAP) team recently announced a whopping $1.9M in funding awards to combat food insecurity in our community!
parkland mobile home community acquired
A five-acre Mobile Home Community (MHC) in Parkland named Olga Dor Court was acquired with the help of the Pierce County Community Development Corporation to preserve its use as affordable housing.
The 100% occupied MHC contains 48 units and a singlefamily residence that were at risk of displacement due to the property owner’s desire to sell. The Olga Dor acquisition is a great example of how we work to ensure long-term housing affordability for our residents!
These awards include a variety of services, including food distribution, expanding food bank capacity, and creating new opportunities for farmers markets. This funding will support improved health outcomes and greater food stability in Pierce County. Keep doing your thing, CAP! Learn more about these funding awards.
Read a news story about it.
Developmental Disabilities
2024 Legislative Forum
Over 25 years ago, Pierce County began hosting the Legislative Forum to educate, inform, collaborate, and create change. In November, our DD division hosted another terrific forum!
eviction prevention making an impact
The Pierce County Eviction Prevention program supports eligible low-income households with their past due rent. The program has a lottery on the second Friday of the month where eligible households are chosen for assistance.
Since Jan. 1, 2024, 634 households have been served, and they anticipate reaching 850 by the end of the year.
This event offers individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their families an opportunity to share information and advocate for their needs by speaking directly with Pierce County Legislators.
We heard from community members and their loved ones, viewed videos sharing stories, and furthered the discussion in focused conversation. Amazing job, DD team!
This important homeless prevention program supports households by keeping them off the streets so they can take care of their health and financial well-being. We are proud of our homeless team and their work in our community!
Homeless Point-in-Time Count
Volunteers are needed to survey people experiencing homelessness in Pierce County.
January 30-31, 2025
Overnight and day shifts available.
About The Count
The Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a yearly count of people experiencing homelessness across the country. The Count helps us plan services and programs to address local needs, measure progress in reducing homelessness, and more.
Volunteer with Us
Volunteers support the PIT Count by signing up to interview people experiencing homelessness or provide donations for the event. Volunteers must meet these requirements:
Be 18+ years old
Have access to a smart phone
Attend a training
How can I sign up?
Scan the QR code to apply! Instructions will be sent to your email after registration.
What is required?
Survey volunteers must apply online and attend a training. The time commitment is about 5 hours per volunteer.
How do I donate?
Donations and drop off locations can be found online at PierceCountyWA.gov/PIT.
Scan the QR code to apply online! Learn more at www.PierceCountyWA.gov/PIT
TOP PLACES TO DRIVE IN PIERCE COUNTY
WE ASKED, YOU ANSWERED! SURVEY SAYS...
Mount Rainier Gondola
Honorable Mentions
Mount Rainier Loop
Crystal Mountain
Point Defiance
Tacoma / Ruston Waterfront
Pioneer Road, farms of Puyallup
About Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week evidence based program that provides unpaid family caregivers with the skills and confidence needed to better care for themselves while caring for others Participants will receive a copy of The Caregiver Help Book, which was developed specifically for this class
Details
Classes are held on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 7, 2025 - Feb. 11, 2025
Lakewood City Hall | American Lake Room
6000 Main St SW Lakewood, WA 98499
These classes are free to attend but reservation is required by scanning the QR code or by visiting bit.ly/3BUshUx.
This program is limited to 15 participants who are encouraged to commit to attending all six classes.
Presented by Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources.
APPRECIATION
staff CELEBRATIONS
“My granddaughter Rome Amoura Bailey was born on November 7, weighing 7.8 lbs and measuring 22 inches long. We are in LOVE! She is a very sleepy, good baby...for now.”
- Kristin Kobs, ECEAP
“My youngest granddaughter, Cassidy, dressed up as a kitty for Halloween.”
- Dallas Gibson, ECEAP
“Here’s me and the munchkin on Halloween.”
- Tessa Larican, B25
“Here’s my daughter, Lilah, in her ladybug costume on Halloween. It was made by my mother-inlaw. She’s not very spooky, unless you have a green leafy vegetable garden.”
- Robert Sheetz, Veterans
“This last quarter, my son Ryan turned 3 and baby Tanner just turned 11 months. They are growing up so fast! Tanner now says, “Mama,” and Ryan is obsessed with poop, farts and booty butts. He’s getting sassier by the day!”
- Kari Moore, Communications
”All the Pierce County ERGs had a fun outing in November at Sprinker. Attendees shared food, played games (Jenga and Uno Frenzy, among others), painted and colored, and laughed a lot! It was a great way to meet new people.”
- Mary Connolly, SSHA³P
“Happy Campers in Twisp, WA.”
- Jon Reimer, ADR
“Here’s a photo of my daughter, Bella, in the pile of pumpkins at Sterino Farms in October.”
- Katherine Thorn, Behavioral Health
Soundview Halloween Social
“Thank you to everyone who came to staff appreciation and helped us celebrate you! Here is one of my favorite pictures from the day.”
- Michelle Bullinger, ADR
“During the summer, I visited Scotland with over 30 extended family members! We toured the Highlands and then spent a few days in Glasgow. My great-grandparents emigrated from Glasgow to NYC in 1923, 101 years ago. We visited the neighborhoods where they grew up, the churches they attended, and the cemetery where their ancestors are buried. I also got to meet over 15 family members (my third cousins and my dad’s second cousins) who live in Glasgow! It was moving to learn about the difficulties my ancestors experienced as Irish Catholic immigrants to Scotland. And I had a LOT of fun too.”
- Mary Connolly, SSHA³P
Proposal
The
(Jon Reimer, ADR)
Grove of the Patriarchs (Mikey Koert, DD)
The Robot (Heather Moss, Admin)
Barrel Riding (Kari Moore, Comms)
Maple Leaf Dragon (Jon Reimer, ADR)
988 Plates on County Vehicles (Robert Sheetz, Vets)
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
ROBERT DAVIE
Veterans Officer & Outreach Coordinator
Time working at the County: Since March 2024.
Job duties: Work with other programs in Pierce County as well as outside entities to promote the Veterans Assistance Programs. I also attend various Veterans Treatment Court Programs, helping to connect veterans to services. In addition, I also assist with day-to-day administrative duties in the office.
What does your division do: We aid veterans through financial assistance, provide Veteran Service Officers on site, and have a weekly meeting for veterans experiencing or close to experiencing homelessness, where they can receive information about how to access programs to assist them.
Best part of your job: I love interacting with veterans daily. Being able to impact their lives in a positive way is a great feeling.
Enjoys: I enjoy being outdoors and staying active.
Fun facts: I have a twin brother!
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I used to play the drums in a punk rock band for many years.
Favorite Things
Color: Black
Movie: Burn After Reading
TV Show: Better Call Saul
Sports Team: Seahawks
Animal: Peregrine Falcon
Season: Fall
Artist / Singer: NOFX
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
Vacation Time
It’s almost the end of the year! If you have vacation time, please try and use it. Don’t be one of those people that never takes time off - that’s unhealthy and unsustainable. Eligible employees may carry over a maximum balance of vacation leave of 45 days per calendar year into the next calendar year, but it must be requested by December 31 using this link.
Additional Updates
• Join the Safety Committee for Soundview by emailing hssafety@piercecountywa.gov.
Questions? Contact Robert Sheetz.
• The 2023 Class and Compensation Market study has been posted.
• Using a fleet vehicle? Don’t forget to fill the gas tank when you’re done!
• Hiring someone? Use the new HR Hiring toolkit!
Volunteer Noms
Hundreds of volunteers pitch in across Pierce County each year to lend their time and talents for the good of our community. And each year, the Pierce County Volunteer Recognition Event is our opportunity to recognize their contributions. If you’ve worked with an outstanding volunteer, please nominate them by January 12.
WELCOME WEEK
”The Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs (CRIA) hosted a Welcome Week with Tacoma Community House in September, which included a week full of activities celebrating immigrants and refugees.
- Stefanie Love, Administration
KIDS MENTAL HEALTH
“On October 22, Taffi Wheeldon and I attended the Kids Mental Health Pierce County School-Based Mental Health Summit at Pacific Lutheran University. It was a very insightful day, with interactive presentations including University of WashingtonForefront Suicide Prevention; Dr. Lucas McIntyre on “Psychiatric Hospitalization: When It Helps and When the Most Important Bed is at Home”; and Tovah Denaro on “Empowering Educators and Youth Workers: Strategies to Reduce Burnout.” Our biggest takeaway: our Pierce County kids’ mental health matters!!”
- Katherine Thorn, Behavioral Health
FURNITURE FROM FACILITIES
“Facilities donated surplus office furniture to one of our service providers, Family Promise of Pierce County. Thanks to facilities, their new Shelter Access Hub is stocked with supplies to help the providers on their mission to serving homeless families,
- Kari Moore, Communications
COPPER WAY
”In October, Jason Gauthier hosted the grand opening celebration of Copper Way, a new 256-unit affordable housing apartment complex in Spanaway. This project was awarded funds from 2022 and is the first project that utilized funds from the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Sales Tax. See the pictures.”
TACID’S BIG CHECK
”Just wanted to share the picture TACID sent me holding their BIG CHECK from the raffle proceeds at the employee recognition event this past November. They expressed so much gratitude to have been the recipient this year. Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle and donated to their cause.”
- Taffi Wheeldon, Behavioral Health
INSIDE PIERCE COUNTY
”A heartfelt thanks to Carol Mensah and Orting ECEAP staff Dallas Gibson and Peggy Baublits for their outstanding job featuring ECEAP in the Executive’s latest episode of ”Inside Pierce County.”
- Kristin Kobs, ECEAP
TACOMA RESCUE MISSION
”The leadership team continued visiting providers with the recent visit in October at the Tacoma Rescue Mission. The entire team worked in the kitchen to serve clients, prepare lunch for the coming days, and helped with whatever was necessary. In addition to working in the kitchen for a few hours, we also met with some of their team to hear about the challenges they face in their work and how we can be better partners. It was a wonderful experience and we encourage everyone to volunteer!”
PHOEBE BOYSENBERRY
”This is Phoebe Boysenberry Foutz-Barbour, our newest addition to the family! Adopted from the Humane Society in August, Phoebe is still just a kitten but she’s already showing potential to become very well-read.”
- Becki Foutz, Administration
ADVISORY BOARD
SENIOR SCAMS PODCAST
Matt Santelli was interviewed by ConciergeCareTV for their Senior Spotlight podcast, where he discussed holiday scams and what every senior and family member needs to know to stay safe this season. Check it out here.
“Congratulations to our very own South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA³P) manager, Jason Gauthier, on his appointment to the Washington State Affordable Housing Advisory Board!”
HIKING MACHU PICCHU
”This summer I hiked 29 miles up to 14,000 feet elevation (4 days, 3 nights) on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! It was one of the hardest physical challenges I have ever done but so beautiful and amazing. A once-in-a-lifetime trip!”
- Lindy Hafner, ADR
KOREA TRIP (NELLIS)
S P R E A D I N G S P R E A D I N G
P O S I T I V I T Y P O S I T I V I T Y
Aaron highly recommends this dessert, 10/10! It came from the Namsan Tower in Myeong-dong (pictured). Unfortunately a few minutes after this photo was taken the churro fell to the ground. Despite the area being extremely clean, Aaron did not eat it off the ground.
S H A R I N G M O M E N T S O F J O Y , H O P E A N D H
The other picture is of Yeiuido at night. This is where we stayed while we were in Korea. Lastly, here is a picture of the crew on the boat tour of the Han River (minus Heather and Scott). GuHun, Tamara, Aaron, Nellis, Yoori, Brian. Don’t let the smiles fool you - it was freezing cold and so windy!
KOREA TRIP (YOORI)
Front of the Han River, where I had my first “Han Ramen.” I was so impressed with the noodle texture!
Ssamjit mall, filled with handmade goods for sale.
GuHun and Brian on the Han River cruise.
Tamara and Aaron at Hanok Village.
Bul Cafe and Co-ex mall, floor to ceiling bookshelves!
Performance at the airport.
Yeuido Park, where many of us would go out for morning walks.
Yoori at Hanok village.
KOREA TRIP (GUHUN)
”It was a great honor and joy to facilitate this international site visit to Korea. It took over a year of planning and intensive preparation. I am deeply aware of the excellence of Pierce County Human Services, one of the best in the United States, which might lead some to question: Why undertake this trip? Do we really need to visit to learn other country’s programs? Is a 10-hour flight truly worth it for us?
In today’s post-pandemic world, everything may seem back to normal. However, during the pandemic, we witnessed how essential global collaboration was to navigate the crisis. Countries worked together on airline safety regulations, exchanged vital resources, and maintained active communication to share the latest updates. Personally, I find it difficult to reflect on the pandemic period because it was when I lost my father, leaving me with a traumatic experience of visiting Korea to attend his funeral.
I take pride in the fact that my home country, Korea, is renowned for its technological advancements. Every welfare center we visited was equipped with multimedia facilities, enabling seniors and people with disabilities to learn new skills and even how to become YouTube creators! We even had an AI robot serve our lunch in a restaurant. A small video production studio allowed an instructor to broadcast a live exercise program to about ten smaller senior centers simultaneously. Pierce County and Yangcheon-gu in Seoul are vastly different environments, but I believe we can adapt some of their strong and effective programs to better serve our clients and community here at home.
If I were asked to organize another international site visit, my body might say, ”No,” but my heart would undoubtedly say, ”Yes.” Thank you all for your incredible support, interest, concerns, and LOVE throughout this journey!
I made two videos if you’d like to see. Click here for the full version (38 minutes). Click here for the short version (7 minutes).”
Group shot in front of a traditional Korean village.
A Korean wedding.
Aaron wearing a traditional Korean cloth.
Traditional Korean performance. Yoori’s participation.
Yoori wearing a traditional Korean back carrier.
Yoori outside the Blue House (the Korean White House).
Inside the Blue House (the Korean White House).
AI serving robot.
View from the Seoul Tower.
• Behavioral Health Sales Tax
• Opioid Settlement Fund
• Community Development Corporation Loan Fund
• Interagency Coordinating Council
• Beyond the Borders
A sealed, insulated home is more energyefficient, cheaper to keep warm, and cozier.
• Insulate and seal gaps around doors, windows, HVAC ducts, outlets, and chimneys. Weathersealing is one of the easier DIY projects with caulk, expanding foam or silicone sealants, door sweeps and weatherstripping.
• Insulate and seal attic spaces to minimize energy loss. Older houses are often uninsulated or poorly insulated, and their attics are a huge source of energy loss.
• Use programmable thermostats to optimize heating and reduce energy waste. 68ºF is recommended when you’re home and awake.
• Check and replace air filters. Your heating unit operates better with clean filters.
• Maintain gutters and downspouts. Check and clean gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams and roof damage.
• Insulate outdoor faucets and exposed pipes. Frozen, burst pipes are a major headache and expense. Use pipe insulation for exposed pipes in the basement, crawlspace, garage, or attic.
• Will a new $1.6M mobile program help opioid crisis? (TNT)
• PCHS awarded $3.5M to end youth homelessness (KIRO)
• PCHS awards $1.9M to fight food insecurity (South Sound Magazine)
• Tacoma motel to be converted to supportive housing, respite services (KOMO)
• New homeless shelteraccess hub aims to do something Pierce County has never done (KIRO)
• Pierce County residents have requested millions for eviction prevention so far (TNT)
• Pierce County celebrates Grand Opening of Copper Way (Suburban Times)
• Pierce County seeks community support for 2025 PIT Count (Eatonville Dispatch)
• Residents from Parkland purchase mobile home park (KING)
Pet Pals
Name: Mister Mittens
Parent: Megan Gaskell
Age: 4 years
Breed: Manx Cat
About: “This is Mister Mittens and he is a Manx cat with a stubby tail. He was adopted early in the pandemic years and thus has unrealistic expectations about how often his people should be home. His favorite toys are colorful plastic springs.
Name: Koji (Frenchie) and Prinny (Chihuahua mix)
Parent: Alicia Valencia
Age: 3 and 12 years
About: “Here is a photo of my sweet and loving companions on a crisp walk, frolicking in the Autumn leaves. Their grandma makes a bandana for every season.
Name: Togo (larger brown dog) and Lulu (smaller white/tan dog)
Parent: Bryan Barmore, Community Services
Age: 7 (Togo) and 4 (Lulu)
Breed: Big Dummy (Togo) and Miniature Wirehaired Dachsund (Lulu)
Fun Facts: “We got Togo in spring of 2017. We went to an estate sale near where we lived and there was a pen of puppies there for adoption. His favorite activities are going on walks, sleeping, and having his friends over for playdates. When he was younger, he was my running buddy and we have logged over 2000 miles together, he is retired now due to age and arthritis. Lulu is a miniature wirehaired dachshund. We got her the day before Covid lockdown (3/23/2020), the literal covid dog. She is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever owned, she loves to cuddle and is very gentle. Her favorite activities are cuddling, chasing rabbits, and not listening to any commands.
REACH OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FUNDED PROGRAMS
Ordinance No. 2020-138s authorized the collection of a 1/10th of one percent of Pierce County sales tax to fund behavioral health and therapeutic court programs. Funds are directed to programs that provide services not paid for by Medicaid, private insurance, or other local or federal grants and focus on the following service areas: prevention and early intervention, outpatient and community-based services, crisis and inpatient services, housing supports, community education, and/or services for justiceinvolved populations. This project aims to evaluate Pierce County’s behavioral health tax at a system level by examining the reach of services funded.
25
20
“Without data, all we have is an opinion.”
KEY FINDINGS
1. Most of Pierce County’s funding between July 2022 - December 2023 supported treatment for individuals that may require inpatient mental health or substance use disorder services without intervention.
2. The number of clients served by funded programs increased by 7 times during these contracts.
3. Relative to the service areas, clients participating in funded programs were more likely to identify as non-White, be under the age of 18, and identify as female.
4. Services were funded in the following ways:
• 29% - outpatient and community-based services
• 21% - crisis and inpatient services
• 19% - community education
• 16% - prevention
• 13% - services for the justice-involved
• 2% - housing supports
HUMAN SERVICES BRANDING
Did you know Human Services has branding guidelines and resources?
Human Services branding consists of six distinct colors, which we want to incorporate into our public-facing documents. Our intranet site has a TON of resources for employees to brand their work, including how-to guides, presentation templates, stock images, official Pierce County Human Services logos and more. Check it out below!
Your email signature should look like this
Need to do a public presentation? Don’t forget to use our new powerpoint template! The
Join the branding team! Contact Kari Moore.
Reminder
How To Stay Connected...
Virtual Backgrounds Event Pictures
Spice up your next virtual meeting with fun backgrounds that range from professional office to angel wings.
Social Media
Stay updated with County news on our social channels for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
New to the department? Want to take a stroll down memory lane? View pictures from Human Services events.
Past Newsletters
See how we’ve grown and improved (especially the design aesthetic!) since the first newsletter in Summer 2018.
