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When Diversity Matters Most. The Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities

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You are here: Home / 2018 / Archives for June 2018

Archives for June 2018

34th Annual Airport Business Diversity Conference

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

 The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) and the Port of Seattle, we would like to extend an invitation for you to attend the 34th Annual Airport Business Diversity Conference: Inspiring Possibilities at the Westin Seattle Hotel on August 21 – 25, 2018. This year AMAC is delighted to join the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to host one of the aviation industry’s annual marquee events.

For nearly four decades, AMAC has been at the forefront of promoting the full participation of minority and women-owned businesses in airport contracting and employment. Our Annual Airport Business Diversity Conference attracts over 1,000 attendees and unites leaders throughout the aviation industry including airline and airport executives, airport commissioners, corporate representatives and small business owners. During the conference, attendees will participate in presentations with a wide array of government and private sector stakeholders to discuss industry trends, legislative and regulatory updates and a host of small business empowerment forums.

We extend this invitation to local and national organizations to participate in Business Matchmaking: The Art of Making your Flight Connections on Wednesday, August 22 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm at AMAC’s Annual Business Diversity Conference. There is no additional charge for this event as it is part of the added value for Full Conference or Wednesday Only registration. However, if you will be attending the Matchmaker Only, there is a charge of $150 per person. To learn more about Business Matchmaking and other key events for this year’s conference please visit the following links below:

 

Filed Under: African American, Community, Community News, Featured Stories, Front Page Slider, News, Northwest

Inslee announces $1.2 million for civil legal aid funding to Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced $1.2 million to provide legal services and representation to immigrants and refugees with no other financial resources.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is being awarded a $1 million grant from the Department of Commerce and the governor is providing an additional $230,000 in emergency funding. The grant funding was approved by the Legislature last session and awarded through a competitive proposal process. The funding will support NWIRP’s effort to provide legal assistance including information and advice through extended legal representation in individual immigration cases.

The funding comes just as the president has implemented new policies to separate asylum-seeking families at the border. Approximately 200 individuals, most of them mothers, are being detained at the federal detention center in SeaTac, while at least nine separated youth have been placed in Washington state.

Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson have been vocally opposing this new policy and demanding answers from federal officials about when these youth will be reunited with their parents.

“The horrific separation of children from their parents at our southern border is just the latest in an ongoing effort by the president’s administration to terrorize immigrant families and those seeking asylum or refuge,” Inslee said. “Everyone is entitled to a fair and due process, and this funding will help make sure Washington is doing everything it can to protect that system of justice for all.”

“We are grateful to the Legislature, Governor Inslee and the Department of Commerce for making these resources available to expand access to legal services to immigrant and refugee communities throughout the state,” said Jorge L. Baron, executive director of Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. “These services will help ensure that hundreds of individuals in our state will gain protection from violence and be reunified with their family members.”

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a non-profit dedicated to promoting justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education. The organization will use the grant to ensure equitable access to referral and representation services for indigent immigrants throughout Washington state, with a priority on helping those at highest risk of deportation and of extreme harm or hardship to themselves or their families.

“Commerce strengthens communities in many ways, and we are happy to play a role in keeping families together,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, News, Northwest, Politics

Seattle/King County Clinic – Free Dental, Vision & Medical Care (Sept. 20 – 23)

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Seattle/King County Clinic is for people who struggle to access and/or afford healthcare.

  • September 20–23, 2018 at Seattle Center. One month earlier this year!
  • All are welcome regardless of income, insurance, or immigration status. Patients will not be asked for documentation of any type.
  • All services are FREE
  • Dental: fillings, extractions, x-rays, deep cleanings
  • Vision: vision screening, complete eye exams, reading glasses and prescription eyeglasses. Bring a current eyeglass prescription (no older than one year) to skip exam and just get eyeglasses.
  • Medical: physical exams, lab tests, mammograms, x-rays, ultrasounds, EKGs, immunizations, and more
  • Resources: social work, help with health insurance, and more

More information:

  • http://seattlecenter.org/patients/
  • Email: 
  • Phone: 206.684.7200

 

How it works:

  • No advance registration: first-come, first-served
  • Get a ticket in the tent on Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (Corner of 2nd Ave N. & Thomas St.)
  • 12:30 AM: Tent opens for shelter (not required to be there at that time)
  • 5:00 AM – tickets distributed (one ticket per person, ticket is only good for that day)
  • 6:30 AM: – patients enter the Clinic in KeyArena in order of the number on ticket
  • Highest demand for tickets on Saturday & Sunday
  • Interpreters available
  • Free parking – 1st Ave Garage (220 1st Ave N) or Mercer St. Garage (650 3rd Ave N)
  • Cannot get both dental and vision care on the same day
  • May attend the Clinic for multiple days, but must go through the ticket process each day

 

How should patients prepare?

  • Come prepared for a long day with food, comfortable clothing and any daily medications
  • DO NOT fast for lab tests.
  • No pets except service animals. Pet sitting is available.
  • Parent or legal guardian must accompany patients under age 18. Exceptions may be made for youth ages 13 and above who are not in contact with a parent or legal guardian.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Health, News, Northwest

Civil Rights Groups Urge Make Your Voice Heard to #SaveTheCensus

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

The Leadership Conference Education Fund, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC launched a tool to facilitate participation in the public comment period on the questions proposed for the 2020 Census. The 60-day comment period, which ends on August 7, provides an opportunity to establish a strong, clear public record from a range of stakeholders who oppose the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

Late the evening of June 8, the Justice Department released thousands of documents in response to the multi-state lawsuit led by the NY AG’s office. These included internal Census Bureau documents regarding significant concerns about the addition of a citizenship question, as well as the paper trail from Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (of the sham Pence-Kobach voter suppression commission) to former White House advisor Steve Bannon in moving the citizenship question forward. Participating in the public comment period will be critical to raising concerns about the “Bannon-Kobach” citizenship question in the 2020 Census.

“The census is foundational to our democracy,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference Education Fund. “It is an impartial, Constitutionally-mandated process that has an enormous impact on ensuring equal treatment under the law and equal access to economic opportunities. Getting the census right is important to everyone. We must raise our collective voices to ensure the 2020 Census is fair and accurate.”

“The release of these documents confirms what advocates have known for some time – that politics, not science, drove the decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census,” stated Arturo Vargas, executive director of NALEO. “There are no second chances with the 2020 Census, and we will not sit idly by as those with malicious intentions seek to thwart a fair and accurate count of immigrants, Latinos and all Americans. We will be working to mobilize our constituency of the more than 6,600 Latino elected officials from across the country to submit public comments that further demonstrate the widespread opposition to this costly and harmful decision.”

“The Commerce Department has wrongfully tried to put the onus on census stakeholders – such as us – to prove that the addition of a citizenship question will be detrimental to the response rate in our communities. All evidence to date, including from the Census Bureau itself, suggests that the addition of the question will create fear and uncertainty. This open public comment period is our chance to show the concerns of our communities even further, and to push back on the irresponsible addition of the citizenship question, its questionable timing, and its irrefutable ties to the white nativist agenda of Steve Bannon and this administration,” said John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.

Make your voice heard and help #SaveTheCensus. Submit your public comments by clicking here.

Filed Under: Front Page Slider, News, Politics

Older Americans Who Neglect Oral Care Put Overall Health At Risk

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Conscientious parents constantly remind their children to brush and floss, and routinely schedule dental checkups to make sure their teeth and gums are healthy – and staying that way.

But youngsters aren’t the only ones who who can use such reminders. Older Americans need to put a priority on their oral health as well, and research shows that as a group they aren’t doing so.

In fact, the statistics are grim. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost every single American over age 65 (96 percent) has had a cavity, and 20 percent have untreated tooth decay. Another 65 percent suffer from gum disease, an ailment that has been linked to a host of other problems, such as strokes, heart disease and diabetes.

“Anyone who thinks they can ease up on dental care as they age is making a big mistake,” says Dr. Harold Katz, a dentist, bacteriologist and developer of TheraBreath Healthy Gums Oral Rinse (www.therabreath.com).

“Not only do poor dental habits affect what’s going on in your mouth, they also affect your overall health.”

Some of the CDC’s findings that Katz says are troubling include:

  • Tooth loss. Nearly one in five adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth. Complete tooth loss is twice as prevalent among adults aged 75 and older (26 percent) compared with adults aged 65 to 74 (13 percent).  The CDC points out that having missing teeth, or wearing dentures, can have a detrimental effect on nutrition. “It’s not surprising that people who have lost teeth, or wear denture, often are going to choose soft food they chew easily,” Katz says. “They will pass up fresh fruits and vegetables that are more nutritious, but are more difficult for them to eat.”
  • Oral cancer. Cancers of the mouth (oral and pharyngeal cancers) are primarily diagnosed in older adults; median age at diagnosis is 62 years. “That’s another reason it’s important for older people to have regular checkups,” Katz says. “Your dentist can check for signs of oral cancer during those visits.”
  • Dry mouth caused by medications. Most older Americans take both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, many of which can cause dry mouth. Reduced saliva flow increases the risk of cavities. Saliva helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, and also lubricates the mouth, making it easier to eat, swallow, speak and taste food. “Sometimes dry mouth might just cause mild discomfort,” Katz says. “At other times it can lead to significant oral disease that can compromise the person’s health, dietary intake and quality of life.”

“As  you age, proper oral care is just as important as ever,” Katz says. “It’s not something you want to ignore because your overall health is at stake.”

About Dr. Harold Katz

Dr. Harold Katz (www.therabreath.com), developer of TheraBreath Healthy Gums Oral Rinse, received his degree in bacteriology from UCLA and is the founder of The California Breath Clinics and author of The Bad Breath Bible. He has been featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CBS’s “Early Show” and “The View” with Barbara Walters and countless other TV shows. Dr. Katz has developed oxygenating compounds that have been used by millions around the world to eliminate bad breath. He is also the bearer of the now famous “Halimeter,” which tests the sulfur compounds in the mouth that cause bad breath. Dr. Katz’ website offers a free online bad breath test – as well as a sneaky way to tell someone they have halitosis.

Filed Under: Front Page Slider, Health

7 Tips for Fathers Raising Daughters In Today’s World

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

A father’s job was to attend his daughter’s pretend tea parties and make her a pretty dollhouse. But today’s fathers must navigate a new world and avoid gender specific roles.

“The fathers of today’s girls need to be engaged, creative and flexible,” says Sheri D. Engler, author of The Pearls of Wisdom: A Fairy Tale Guide to Life’s Magic Secrets for All Ages (www.thepearlsofwisdombook.com. All proceeds go to the Angel Whispers Foundation, which was organized to empower young females.)

She says today’s dads should encourage girls at every opportunity.

“Women are breaking down many barriers, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Engler says. “Today’s fathers play a critical role in their daughter’s self-image and can be instrumental in encouraging them to challenge the status quo.”

Engler offers the following tips for fathers who want to raise their daughters to be strong, independent women:

● Treat women with respect.  Your daughter is watching how you treat women, and it will have a lifelong impact on her in ways you can’t imagine. You must be cognizant of your attitude and behavior around women at all times. This includes not saying negative things about her mother if you are divorced. See yourself as a role model of the kind of man you would want your daughter to marry one day, because that frequently influences how women choose their partners.

● Give her compliments about things other than her beauty. It is OK to tell your daughter she’s pretty, but that should not be the only compliment you give her.  Compliment her intelligence, her resourcefulness, her imagination, her many skills, her hard work, and her strength. Honestly tell her the unique things you love about her, the things that make her a good and special person.

● Teach her the magic of self confidence. Teach her about the power that comes from believing in herself and believing she can achieve greatness in the world, while understanding that there are many girls who simply want to be a “mommy” like their , which is the most important job in the world. In this case, they may fear failing their father’s expectations of greatness. There is a critical difference between encouragement to be who they are and pressure to be who they aren’t.

● Teach her about what has traditionally been “guy stuff.”  Teach her self-reliance, such as routine car maintenance, or mechanics in general. Teach her how to use tools while building a treehouse. Go fishing together. Take her to see planes at air shows, teach her photography and go birdwatching with her. It matters to spend quality time with her, because it makes her feel she is worth her dad’s time. And it doesn’t have to stop in childhood. What could you be teaching your adult daughter?

● Let her get gritty like the boys.  Teach her how to play sports from early on. This fosters tremendous social confidence as well as body confidence. Or just let her play in the mud and get dirty if that is what she wants to do. Girls don’t always have to be clean and pretty.

● Introduce her to books with girl heroes. There are plenty of books to choose from, so when reading to her let her enjoy a variety of adventures including books with strong female leaders like The Pearls of Wisdom or other books that were written to empower girls. This will send the message that you believe in her. Or perhaps help her write a story of her own imagining herself as the hero or lead character. If nothing else this will give you a valuable view of how she sees herself so you know what’s going on with her.

● Share music with her. Play your favorite music and tell her why you like it and let her do the same. Take her to concerts. If she wants to play an instrument, help her learn how. Music, and the arts in general, can be very bonding experiences.

“The most important change for today’s fathers is that they shouldn’t box girls in or out of anything just because they are a girl,” Engler says.  “Fathers who respect the women in their lives have a better chance of raising daughters who feel deserving of respect themselves. Confidence, self-respect and family support will help them face any challenges that may come their way.”

About Sheri D. Engler

Sheri Engler is the author/illustrator of The Pearls of Wisdom: A Fairy Tale Guide to Life’s Magic Secrets for All Ages(www.ThePearlsOfWisdomBook.com). She is an experienced mentor, medium, and metaphysicist with a background in psychology, counseling and research. She received a BA in Clinical Psychology at San Francisco State University.

Filed Under: Front Page Slider, LifeStyle

4 Ways To Plan For Rising Healthcare Costs In Retirement

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

What keeps you up at night? For millions of Americans, it’s the question of how they will fund their healthcare expenses in retirement. A survey from Franklin Templeton Investments about retirement costs found that Americans are most concerned about how they’ll cover medical and pharmaceuticals bills. Those fears are well-founded, given the high costs of nursing homes, assisted living, hospitalization and prescription drugs. Even a healthy retirement could have a hefty price tag; an analysis from Fidelity Investments estimated that a healthy 65-year-old couple retiring this year will need $280,000 to cover their health costs in retirement.
“Knowing your options and planning financially for them well ahead of retirement is  crucial,” says Eric Kearney  (www.erickearneyadvisor.com), an investment advisor for Retirement Wealth.

“With proper planning, healthcare costs in retirement are within the means of average and wealthy Americans, provided they are able to afford a Medicare supplement policy.

“But you have to understand how the Medicare system works and what you can expect to pay in out-of-pocket costs throughout your retirement. You must budget for them. For retirees who have enjoyed strong employer health benefits and are unprepared for retirement, the out-of-pocket cost difference can cause an uptick in blood pressure.”

Kearney explains the costs and coverages of different parts of Medicare:

  • Medicare Part A. Part A was the original Medicare, covering hospitalization. There are no monthly premiums, although a $1,340 deductible applies as of this year. “After 60 days of hospitalization, the patient becomes responsible for a $335/day coinsurance,” Kearney says. “After 90 days, the coinsurance goes to $670/day. After 60 more days, the patient’s coverage runs out.”
  • Medicare Part B. The optional Part B covers doctor and treatment costs. “Premiums average $134 per month and patients are responsible for 20 percent coinsurance,” Kearney says. “And with a 20-percent Part B coinsurance, many seniors can expect to pay several thousand dollars or more out of pocket each year. If you have long-term conditions requiring extensive care, it is easy to see how Part A and Part B out-of-pocket costs can eat away even a large nest egg.”
  • Medicare Parts C and D. Part C, also called the Medicare Advantage plan, is run by private companies and requires a larger premium. “It provides more coverage options such as vision, dental, pharmaceutical, and wellness programs,” Kearney says. “Part D covers prescription drugs, and the older we get, the more likely we are to need them.”
  • Medicare Supplement Policy. “Without this, the assets you worked all your life to accumulate could disappear,” Kearney says. “Since a long-term hospital stay or chronic illness could send your medical bills into the five or even six figures, you stand to lose some or all of your assets if you do not protect them with a Medicare supplemental policy.” Also known as Medigap policies, these are offered by private insurance companies to supplement expenses that Medicare Parts A and B do not typically cover.

“If a stress-free, comfortable retirement is your goal,” Kearney says, “you need to prepare for healthcare expenses, and it’s never too early to start.”

About Eric Kearney

Eric Kearney (www.erickearneyadvisor.com) of Retirement Wealth, with Florida offices in Cape Coral, Punta Gorda and Bonita Springs, has been helping clients reach and maintain their financial goals for more than 16 years. Eric co-authored a book with Forbes Media Chairman/Editor-in-Chief Steve Forbes, Successonomics. His professional licenses include a Series 65, Series 7 Securities License and a Life and Health Insurance License. He teaches successful pre- and post-retirees a wealth management course titled “Rejuvenate Your Retirement” at Florida SouthWestern State College and Florida Gulf Coast University.

Filed Under: Front Page Slider, Health

Why Teens Don’t Have Summer Jobs Anymore

June 22, 2018 by NWFacts 1 Comment

Fewer teens are getting summer jobs, but what does this mean for the economy as a whole?

Summer jobs among kids ages 16-19 has declined by 30 percentage points since the 1970s. What is the reason for this lack of teen employment, and what does it mean for the economy?

Rob Wilson, employment trends expert and President of Employco USA, says several factors at play. “First, stores such as Macy’s and Sears have closed hundreds and hundreds stores in recent years, and thousands of jobs have been lost as result.”

Once the mecca for teens looking to socialize as well as earn cash, these shuttered retail stores could spell trouble for teens.

“When so-called ‘anchor’ stores such as Sears of J.C. Penney close down, it becomes very problematic for the mall as a whole,” explains Wilson of Employco USA. “Filling that retail space is very difficult, and with giants like Sears experiencing a major decline, that means that many malls across the country are going to be left with huge vacancies. This puts all the stores within the mall at major risk, from your kiosks to your pretzel stands to your small clothing stores.”

In addition, teens are now shifting their focus from flipping burgers to working internships in their desired field of employment, especially as Pres. Trump has now made internships more widely available to teens.

“In recent years, controversy over unpaid internships has meant that some companies have decided to change their policy regarding student interns,” says Wilson. “But President Trump might be reversing that trend, as new policies regarding unpaid internships will loosen up the regulations that companies formerly faced.

“Under recent provisions to the Fair Labor Standards Act, it is now legal for employers not to pay interns, provided that the intern benefits more from the working relationship that the employer does,” says Rob Wilson, employment trends expert and President of Emplocyo USA. “It is also important that the intern does not perform any tasks or functions which would replace the efforts of any existing employees.”

In other words, says Wilson, these new provisions will make it easier for students to find internships than in previous years, while simultaneously protecting the jobs of paid workers.

“Just because teens aren’t working at the mall or the ice cream store anymore doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways for them to stay busy and gain experience at the same time,” says Wilson. “Internships are a great option for summer work, especially for teens who still live at home and have Mom and Dad to help pay bills.”

Filed Under: Business, Front Page Slider

Juvenile justice reform taking shape in Washington

June 17, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

From left, Jacob Carmickle, Garrett Comer, Joseph Huntly and Aaron Toleafoa attend the bill signing ceremony for Senate Bill 6160. The four incarcerated youth were among those who wrote legislators in support of the bill. (Legislative Support Services photo)

Washington took significant steps this year to reform the criminal justice system for children and teens convicted of crimes. Those changes take effect today and are due, in part, to the participation of incarcerated youth themselves.

One of the bills signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee revises rules that require automatically trying a minor as an adult, giving prosecutors more discretion for trying certain crimes. Other bills improve access to diversion programs, allow for the destruction of juvenile court records and change the age limit for staying in juvenile institutions. To create the new policies, state lawmakers and law enforcement leaders turned to recent research about adolescent brain development and incarcerated youth — and they listened to the voices of Washington teens serving time in juvenile institutions for serious crimes.

Several incarcerated youth wrote letters to lawmakers asking them to approve Senate Bill 6160. The bill allows minors convicted in adult court to stay in the state juvenile corrections system — Juvenile Rehabilitation — until they turn 25, rather than being transferred to a prison when they turn 21. The measure aligns with research showing that youth transferred to adult prisons are more likely to reoffend after their release than those who remain in the juvenile system.

The bill also gives more discretion to prosecutors and judges to decide when a minor must be tried as an adult for certain serious offenses or if they should stay in juvenile court.

Aaron Toleafoa was one of many incarcerated youth who wrote legislators this year. He is serving a 21-year sentence for attempted murder and carjacking committed when he was 15. Toleafoa said that when incarcerated youth age out of the juvenile justice system after working through years of rehabilitation, they aren’t able to share the lessons they’ve learned with incoming youth. The new law would help provide those opportunities.

“To our young ones who are growing (up) on the same streets we were in, to our brothers and sisters that are out there doing what they only know how to do — what they were raised around, what they were born into: I would be honored to have the chance to role model change for them,” he wrote. “Being able to stay under the jurisdiction of (the Department of Social and Health Services in Juvenile Rehabilitation) until the age of 25 will be beneficial for not only myself, but the future of our communities.”

Diontae Moore-Lyons also wrote lawmakers. He is serving time at Green Hill School in Chehalis for a first-degree assault committed when he was 16. Given the severity of the charges, he was automatically sent to adult court.

“Staying in the juvenile system means they can possibly get their records sealed,” Moore-Lyons said about minors charged with future crimes. “I know it’s too late for me, but it doesn’t mean it could be too late for the people coming up. … There’s a lot of people in my position that … can’t have their records sealed.”

He praised Green Hill for offering a number of life-changing programs.

“I’ve been in plenty of programs such as mentoring, aggression replacement therapy, African-American culture class, youth council, and college class. I have completed intensive outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and the Uplift employment-training program,” he wrote. “GHS is basically prison but with way more resources and more rehabilitation.”

Inslee signed SB 6160 in March; it takes effect today.

The new legislation aligns with the governor’s executive order on building safe and strong communities through successful reentry after prison, as well as his priorities of reducing recidivism and promoting equality in the justice system.

Proponents acknowledge that the new law means juvenile detention facilities may need to increase capacity. They’ve also considered the effects of incarcerating a wider age range: The legislation directs juvenile institutions to take measures to protect younger incarcerated youth from their older peers. Additionally, the law requires the Washington Institute for Public Policy to assess the success of the changes and issue a preliminary report to the governor and Legislature in 2023.

During the bill’s signing ceremony, Inslee thanked the incarcerated youth for lending their voices to the process.

“This is a very important bill because we think it will help young people avoid recidivism, help our communities by reducing crime and recognize the ambitions of youth who we understand have positive futures,” Inslee said. “This bill makes a number of changes to the juvenile justice system to line up with evolving brain science and provide more discretion in sentencing youth.”

Gov. Jay Inslee signs Senate Bill 6160 alongside proponents of reforming the state’s juvenile justice system, including youth who have been in that system. The legislation is one of several measures passed during the 2018 legislative session that will better align the system with what experts know about adolescent brain development, incarcerated youth and recidivism. (Legislative Support Services photo)

 

More opportunities for diversion

Another win this year for juvenile justice reform, Senate Bill 6550, expands the circumstances in which a prosecutor may divert rather than prosecute a case in juvenile court. It also expands the programs allowed as part of a juvenile diversion, which could include community service, mental health or chemical dependency counseling, or no-contact agreements with crime victims.

Under the new law, prosecutors must divert any juvenile misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors that are unrelated to a felony, and prosecutors will have much more discretion about whether to divert in juvenile felony cases.

The law also requires officials to destroy, within 90 days, the juvenile court records of people who are 18 or older if they have successfully completed their required diversion, counsel agreements and release agreements, and owe no restitution. Advocates of the bill say that having a criminal record is a significant barrier to young adults trying to get their lives on track, getting in the way of finding a job or housing.

Anne Lee, executive director of legal aid organization TeamChild, testified in strong support of the bill. Attorneys from the organization represent about 1,000 teens a year in Washington.

“Prosecutors have very limited discretion to divert cases, and this bill allows for more flexibility to consider whole circumstances,” Lee said during her testimony. “The bill emphasizes what we know from research, experience and common sense, and that is that teenagers make mistakes.”

Lee continued: “This diversion bill recognizes that young people have great potential for development and learning and gives local jurisdictions and courts a chance to provide more options for connecting youth to support and interventions that can put them on a positive path.”

Resources, access to programs

The supplemental budget passed this year also includes money to study how to improve services for youth and families in conflict. The new Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Office of Youth Homelessness will do that work.

Senate Bill 6115 clarifies that DSHS may contract with a tribe to provide residential custody services in Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities for youth sentenced by a tribal court. The new law will ensure that tribal youth in the juvenile justice system get access to the most effective programs to prevent recidivism.

 

Filed Under: Featured Stories, News, Northwest, Politics

The 23rd Avenue Business Stabilization Fund

June 17, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

The 23rd Avenue Business Stabilization Fund was established to support micro-businesses impacted by the 23rd Avenue Phase 2 construction project. The fund will be supported through a one-time combination of federal Community Development Block Grants and fees generated from the City’s New Markets Tax Credit program.

Eligibility

To qualify for this support, businesses must meet all of the following criteria:

1)      As of 5/1/18, businesses were already established, as evidenced by a current City of Seattle business license and signed lease (if applicable).

2)      Businesses must have direct access from 23rd Ave S between S Jackson St and S Walker St; and

3)      Must be a microbusiness of five (5) or fewer employees (including owner(s)); and

4)      Businesses must be a for-profit, independent, non-franchise, retail/service business that relies on walk-in or drive-in clientele as the predominant source of revenue; and

5)      The majority of business customers are in a customer service area where the total resident population is predominantly low and moderate income, as described on the intake form.

Application Process 

Businesses fill out the “Phase 2 – 23rd Avenue Business Stabilization Fund Intake Form” and include with the following required documentation:

•         Current City of Seattle Business License

•         Documentation showing that the business was in operation as of May 1, 2018. This can be a signed lease agreement, a utility bill, or other similar documentation

•         Completed W-9 form (for the business owner only)

Please submit the intake form and required documentation to OED by 6/15/18, via email or in person.

OED will have staff available to assist businesses one-on-one in completing the intake form. For submissions or questions, please email:

AJ Cari

Small Business Advocate

Office of Economic Development

700 5th Ave, Suite 5752

Seattle, WA 98104

206.684.0133

Please review our Frequently Asked Questions. 

Filed Under: Business, Community, Community News, Front Page Slider

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