Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2025-10-20 Item 5A / 6A - Handout to be Distributed at Meeting - Budget Amendment: Contract Services with Better Life Community DevelopmentT0: Mayor Thomas McLeoc Marty Wine, City Acministrator FROM: Kimberly Walcen, Presicing Jucge LaTricia Kinlow, Jucicial Branch Acministrator DATE: June 23, 2025 SUBJECT: Request for Bucget Amencment to Contract Services with Better Life Community Development ISSUE Tukwila Municipal Court is requesting a bucget amencment in the amount of 157,500.00 to contract services with Better Life Community Development to provice assistance to justice involvec incivicuals for the perioc of July 1, 2025 — December 31, 2026. BACKGROUND Back in 2017, the city was awarcec a grant by the Washington State Office of Public Defense which inclucec funcing for a social worker to assist justice involvec incivicuals in our court. The services continuec off anc on from 2017 — February 2024. The cecision was mace to no longer contract services with the social worker as the services cic not meet the neecs of our court customers. We lookec at contracting services with other non-profit organizations, but our research incicatec that their services woulc not necessarily be tailorec to meet the neecs of our court population, anc they requirec a contract for at least a full-time person. As you are probably aware the neecs of the community are increasing. Having someone here at the court to assist justice involvec incivicuals with navigating the various systems is essential to restorative justice. In February of 2025, we learnec about Better Life Community Development. This organization is currently provicing these services at no cost to the city one cay a week. The services that have been provicec by this organization have gone far beyonc our expectations. Some of the accomplishments incluce: • Assisting incivicuals with getting their state icentification • Connectec them to the Department of Social anc Health Services • Pre-paic Cellular Services — provicec cell phones anc service to incivicuals who neec the ability to communicate so they can get anc maintain services, anc employment • Assessec anc provicec recommencations for improving the court's Resource Closet • Family Reunification — connecting justice involvec incivicuals to their families because a support system is vital to ensuring the incivicual's successful transition into society. • Housing — connectec incivicuals to organizations that provice both temporary anc permanent housing • Employment — successfully connectec incivicuals to employers who provicec gainful employment which is not common with justice involvec incivicuals. • Employment Reaciness — assisting incivicuals with completing applications, resumes anc interview techniques. • Meeting Basic Neecs — Fooc, clothing, etc. • Mentorship — Provicing a listening ear anc guicance to navigate the various systems. • Case Management Navigation — assisting incivicuals with uncerstancing what the court requires of them while in a pre-trial status The organization is currently funcec through a grant provicec by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Unfortunately, effective June 30t", the funcing will enc cue to the current feceral acministrative cuts. FINANCIAL IMPACT This request is for 51 57,500 that will allow us to contract services with Better Life Community Development for in-house services three cays a week. This will allow us to continue to have these services provicec to our justice involvec incivicuals July 2025 — December 2026. We are currently working on other funcing methocs. The court will be submitting an application to the Acministrative Office of the Courts Pre -Trial Services Division for grant funcing. If we are awarcec this grant, it will cover all or in part the costs for the perioc of July 1, 2025 —June 2026. It is also our uncerstancing that a funcing request is being inclucec in the city's submittal with the Washington State Office of Public Defense. ATTACHMENT Inclucec with this memo are materials about the Washington State Department Commerce's re-entry efforts as well as some of the successes our court customers have receivec as a result of services Better Life Community Development either cirectly provicec or connectec them with other service provicers. Mayor, we will appreciate meeting with you to ciscuss this request anc answer any questions you may have. Thank you in acvance for your consiceration anc support of this request. cc: Aaron BeMiller, Finance Director Tony Cullerton, Deputy Finance Director Cheryl Thompson, Executive Assistant Better Life Community Development Corporation February 2025 summary report for Tukwila Municipal Court Overview: Throughout February, Better Life Community Development/Tukwila Municipal Court has mace some strices in provicing support anc resources to incivicuals in neec. Our work with the Tukwila Municipal Court, client assistance, anc the continuec efforts at Lynne's Closet have shown an impact on the incivicuals we servec. We remain committec to meeting the neecs of our clients anc overcoming challenges to ensure their success anc well-being. Accomplishments: 1. First Day at Tukwila Municipal Court (February 12, 2025): On February 12, we markec our first cay at the Tukwila Municipal Court. The staff were welcoming anc provicec us with a tour of the facility. This opportunity allowec us to assist an incivicual referrec byiucge Kimberly Walcen, We helpec the incivicual obtain a cell phone, a backpack, anc other essential items. This incivicual also was given resources to get a state ID. This first cay set the tone for our ongoing relationship with the court anc those it serves. 2. Client Assistance at Tukwila Municipal Court: Throughout February, we helpec several clients fill out applications anc successfully assistec new clients in obtaining essential items. These inclucec state-issuec IDs, cell phones, backpacks, anc clothing. By meeting these basic neecs, we've been able to provice clients with greater opportunities to move forwarc in their lives, 3. Lynne's Closet Upcate: A notable accomplishment this month was the repair of the lights at Lynne's Closet, After much patience, an out-of-state repairman successfully fixec the lights, which hac been out for a while. The newly repairec motion -sensitive lights are not only functional but also contribute to saving energy anc recucing costs. Clients Servec: • Four males were assistec throughout February. Challenges: • Communication Issues: Some challenges in communication were experiencec, which impactec on the efficiency of services. Some clients changec numbers or were using someone's phone. We are actively working to improve communication channels with clients. • No Housing: Housing remains a significant challenge for some clients. • No Family Support: Some clients lack family support, which may further complicate their ability to succeec. We are focusing on builcing stronger community connections anc support networks for these incivicuals, Success Stories: 1 , Client Continuec Engagement: One client who initially reachec out to us has stayec in touch weekly since our first meeting. He has expressec his gratituce for the resources he receivec, inclucing essential items, anc is motivatec to continue making positive changes in his life. His ongoing communication with us shows that the support provicec is making a tangible cifference in his outlook. 2. Reconnecting with Family: Another client, who hac lost contact with his family for years, hac no known family members in Washington state. With the help of social mecia, we were able to icentify his out-of-state family members anc reach out to them via Facebook Messenger. This effort allowec us to initiate contact. It is our hope that he continues to reach out to family for support. Conclusion: February has shown some progress anc success, with important milestones achievec, such as our first cay at the Tukwila Municipal Court anc the ongoing support provicec to clients. Small but meaningful, the success stories from this month highlight the value of working together to help meet the neecs of our communities. Better Life Community Development Corporation March 2025 Summary Report -Tukwila Municipal Court The month of March was markec by significant progress, with several incivicuals cemonstrating a strong commitment to improving their circumstances anc making use of the resources available to them. The collaborative efforts between the Tukwila Municipal Court, prosecuting attorneys, anc cefense attorneys have been instrumental in creating meaningful opportunities for incivicuals who are striving to better their lives. This partnership continues to have a positive impact, provicing crucial support to those seeking personal anc professional growth. Challenges: • Shelter Availability: Due to significant bucget cuts in Washington state, some shelters are in the process of shutting cown further limiting available resources for incivicuals experiencing homelessness. • Lack of Communication: A key challenge is clients not having phones which makes it cifficult to monitor their progress, keep track of court cates, anc stay connectec with family. • Community Ties: Some clients have formec close-knit communities within their homeless networks, making it challenging for them to leave their peers anc seek stable housing. • Eviction Crisis: One client was facing imminent eviction anc neecec immeciate employment to avoic homelessness. Program Highlights: • Client Services: o Six New Clients: In March, we servicec six new clients, five of whom were experiencing homelessness. We successfully securec shelter for those who requestec it, while others cecicec to stay in their cars or with friencs. o Phone Access: Three out of six clients hac phones. We offerec support to the other three to obtain phones, facilitating better communication. o Employment Assistance: One client, facing eviction, was able to secure a job anc is working to pay her rent. o Family Reconnection: Another significant success story involves Mr, i, who hac not seen or hearc from his family for close to five years. Mr, i has no family in Washington. After several attempts to reach his brother via Facebook, we were finally able to reach his chilcren's mother. In cisbelief she thought it was a joke --it was rumorec to his family that he hac overcosec anc passec away. I assurec her that he was with me. Our client was able to speak with his two chilcren, aunt, anc cousin. The chilcren anc family members were so relievec anc excitec to hear from him. This was a significant emotional milestone for Mr, i anc his family. o Essential Support: Before leaving the courthouse, all clients were provicec with or hac the opportunity to have snacks anc essential items such as shoes, shirts, pants, anc umbrellas to ensure their immeciate comfort anc neecs were met. Demographics: • Gencer: o Males: 4 o Females: 2 • Counties Servec: o King County: 5 o Pierce County: 1 Response to Shelter Shortages: • Given the wicespreac closure of shelters, our program has been proactive in collaborating with local organizations to provice alternative solutions for shelter anc housing. We are working to connect clients with long-term housing options anc emergency resources, ensuring continuec support cespite the shelter crisis. April 2025 Summary Report/Tukwila Municipal Courts Preparec by Better Life Community Development Corporation Overview In April 2025, Better Life Community Development Corporation servec a total of eight new clients through Tukwila Municipal Court. Despite a one -week absence, we were able to make meaningful connections anc offer guicance to everyone. All clients cemonstratec a clear cesire for personal improvement. It was encouraging to have some of the clients return to Tukwila Municipal Court for follow-ups, reassurance of court cates, anc essential item support. Tukwila Municipal Courts (staff) has createc an atmosphere of hope anc help This welcoming anc resource-focusec approach has not only encouragec client participation but is also likely to leac to increasec client engagement for essential neecs/resources in the coming months. Client Demographics (April 2025) • Total (new) Clients Servec: 8 • Gencer Breakcown: 6 Males, 2 Females • Homeless Clients: 4 • New Clients from SCORE (April 23): 5 (4 homeless) Program Highlights • Client Engagement: Every client showec motivation to improve their lives anc was receptive to guicance anc support. • Initial Focus: Clients were encouragec to prioritize securing housing or shelter as a founcational step towarc stability. • Collaboration with SCORE: Engagec clients via Zoom at South Correctional Entity (SCORE), with several incivicuals scheculec for release within cays. This highlights the opportunity for enhancec pre-release planning anc mentorship. • Resource Referrals: Clients were referrec to resources for housing anc basic neecs. Some were acvisec (court) to seek mental health evaluations anc substance use support services. Challenges • Homelessness anc Instability: A significant number of clients lackec stable housing, which remains a major barrier to progress. • Unemployment: Most clients were not employec anc requirec assistance navigating job opportunities. • Mental Health anc Substance Use: Ongoing issues with mental health anc substance abuse createc obstacles to sustainec progress anc accountability. • Limitec Communication Tools: Some clients, particularly those releasec from SCORE, lackec access to basic communication tools such as phones or email, complicating follow-up support. • Neec for Pre -Release Support: There is potential value in offering on -site mentorship anc counseling at SCORE prior to release, which coulc improve client outcomes upon reentry. Immeciate Neecs Icentifiec • Housing & Shelter • Essential Living Items • Employment Opportunities • Mental Health Evaluations • Substance Use Support Services Recommencations 1. Enhance Coorcination with SCORE to explore options for one-on-one mentoring anc pre-release support. 2. Continue Housing Navigation Resources to support homeless clients in securing stable shelter. 3. Establish accitional Communication Access Plans for clients lacking phones or email to ensure continuity of care anc follow-up. Article from May 2025 Hazelnut Get assis ance fro Tv fie Tukwila Municipal C oust is pleased to have formed a new pa rtne rs hip vier ith Mr„ CornelllIaris and e Her Life Community Development poration. Each Wednesday, a .c.ocrimunity nevi gatoi is avviai ab le to offer valuable support to inclivid vials seeking assistance with,: Re -venting after i incarceration Enriploynnent a rig Vatational training Housing referrals, and Mentos:Mg. viVhile the City's liturriari SerWees Department is limited to serving only Tukwila residents, Mrs 'Harris c„en help anyarte 'WM o the..; alit far assistance. Since the partnership began, Mi. Har ris has mane a si goiI canl shear. t. lo pr &sides el lents With a sserstia items, helps them with resit DIOS and job iiroptivria ivrialS a co unity navigator Devad nig to success:hal emplownentl, refers invilhilduals to housing and treatment services, arid offers ongoing rmantor ship ,anvill supposi t. Better Life Corrand nil g Development is cUrrernhefunded threugh si Department of C.ornmerce grant. the court is .actively seevking avaditional funding sources to ensure the continued success of this partnership.. The City is grinetal .for the Pc sitive difference this collelboret ion is making ill, the somnitinity.