Snohomish County, Wash., January 12, 2023 – Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced last week that the County is seeking proposals to increase Youth and Family Resource Centers. The Request for Proposals (RFP) solicits projects from organizations to operate one or more centers in South Snohomish County, which currently does not have any certified Resource Centers. Selected projects will receive funding from the County’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation.
Deadline for submissions 4 p.m. on January 20, 2023
“The pandemic has been challenging for working families across our county, which means the need for supportive services skyrocketed,” said Executive Somers. “That’s why we’re continuing to invest our federal recovery dollars in Youth and Family Resource Centers. They have a proven positive impact on our most vulnerable communities and create opportunities for families to receive face-to-face, personal assistance from a provider focused on meeting their needs.”
“Family Resource Centers are an essential provider of services, resources, and support for our community’s families. The use of federal dollars to leverage community-based organizations who work directly with the families in the county who are underserved is an exceptional use of funding and I’m proud of the county’s initiative putting forward this RFP,” said Council Chair Jared Mead (District 4).
“Too many families are still suffering and struggling with the effects of the pandemic and too often it’s a lack of information about the resources that may already be out there that just compounds the problem. Our communities need these Youth and Family Resource Centers, and I am proud to stand with Executive Somers to make this happen,” said Councilmember Strom Peterson (District 3).
Family Resource Centers are operated by community-based organizations uniquely designed to respond to the local needs of the communities they serve. They provide a critical point of contact for individuals and/or families at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) to address their immediate needs while building connections to additional local services. Services provided have a specific focus on mitigating socio-economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total amount of $500,000 will be awarded, and agencies will be eligible for a grant award of $50,000 to $250,000. Interested organizations can access the RFP here, and the County will accept applications through 4:00 p.m. on January 20, 2023. Organizations can reach out to SnohomishCounty.Recovers@snoco.org with any questions.
This RFP builds on the County’s previous $1.8 million investment in Youth and Family Resource Hubs. In the first nine months of 2022, these locations helped nearly 2,700 individuals in 859 unique households with services ranging from financial assistance to public benefit system navigation to employment connections. Of these households, 77 percent were at or below 30 percent AMI (income under $38,800 for a family of four), 31 percent identified as families of color, and 24 percent identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Executive Somers established the Office of Recovery & Resilience to guide the County’s recovery work by ensuring federal pandemic relief is administered quickly, effectively, and equitably. Information on the County’s recovery work can be found at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/recovery.
SOURCE: Snohomish County press release
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
