Human Services Commission highlights local agency assistance for Head Start family, emphasizes housing and outreach

Catherine Williams, speaking for the Human Services Commission on Jan. 28, told the City Council that a city-funded agency intervened to help a Head Start family in Covington return children to their preschool program by arranging transportation and daycare.

"Our funded agency ... reached out to a daycare provider and some transportation providers, providers inside the city and was able to get that mom, her children back into the Head Start program, Kent youth and family services at Jenkins Creek Elementary," Williams said, describing the case as an example of local agency work supported by city funds.

The commission also reported organizational work this year including updated operating principles, two planned site visits to funded agencies (Lutheran Community Services Northwest and Housing Connector), and an emphasis on housing as a priority in the coming year. Commissioners said they plan more physical outreach events in neighborhoods and better social-media outreach to reach younger residents who do not use Facebook.

Williams said the commission will meet with the chief of police and the city’s community care specialist to learn from their experiences and incorporate that input into the commission’s work. The commission also plans to present its road schedule to the council and expects to visit funded agencies as their schedules allow.

Councilmembers encouraged partnership with the Youth Council for youth-focused outreach; Williams said she would pursue that.