Committee B backs supervision agreement with Everett and an AWC grant amendment to fund embedded social worker

Council Committee B voted to forward to the full council a limited staff services agreement (LSSA) with the City of Everett to provide professional supervision for an embedded social worker and to advance an amendment to the Association of Washington Cities’ Alternative Response Team Grant that increases the award and sets aside funds for supervision and grant writing.

Rob (staff) told the committee the city’s grant requires social-worker oversight because the embedded social worker is not a licensed clinician. He said Everett’s social-work program will provide two hours per month of supervision (one-hour increments twice a month) from an Everett manager, and the limited staff services agreement covers wages, benefits and travel for that manager. Rob said the city adjusted the grant budget to cover the supervision costs.

Rob said the grant amendment (Amendment A) raises the grant amount from $51,000 to $100,000 by adding about $49,000 in additional funds; he told the committee he placed $3,000 in the professional services budget line specifically to pay for supervision. Rob estimated supervision at roughly $2,400 a year at the quoted rate and said the grant caps supervision funding at $3,000 for the calendar year unless changed.

Council members supported the approach. Councilor Vivian called the arrangement “a really great solution,” and Council Member Chris asked whether the city needed a cap; staff confirmed a $3,000 cap in the grant amendment line. A council member noted hourly supervision rate cited in discussion was about $94 per hour and that supervision could be provided via Zoom to avoid travel costs.

The committee agreed to forward both the LSSA and the AWC grant amendment to the full council on consent. Committee members asked staff to reflect the funding carve-out and to track the items for the council agenda.