C P OMMUNITY ARTNER

COMMUNITY PARTNER CONNECTION
EC O N O M I C S E R V I C E S A D M I N I S T R AT I O N • C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E S D I V I S I O N
ONE department • ONE vision • ONE mission • ONE core set of values
NEWSLET TER
Winter 2013
Knitting the community
together in warmth
Spokane Access Outreach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I N T H I S I SS U E
Tri-County Colville CSO Children’s Christmas Party . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Region 1 update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
page 3
Region 2 update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
page 5
page 2
page 2
>Shared Strengths Workshop
>Excellence in Management
>Community Connect Day in Kittitas County
>Region 2 Reaches Out at the Semi-Annual Community Resource
Exchange at Seattle Center
Region 3 update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6
>Region 3 Community Service Offices and Mobile CSO win Award
>Holiday Families and the Shelton CSO
Moble CSO update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7
C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R C O N N EC T I O N
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REGION
1
update (Eastern Washington)
Spokane Access Outreach
The Spokane Access WorkFirst CSO is helping to knit the community
together in warmth – literally! For the past several years, CSO
employees have annually sought out yarn donations to knit mufflers,
hats and gloves for needy families. From January to December, busy
fingers are working needles and crochet hooks to build a supply of
these winter necessities. Supplementing the knitting, some workers
use their smart shopping skills to purchase additional gloves and
mittens when the sales are ripe! These donated additions round out a
supply that serves hundreds of children and adults each year.
During the holiday season, the
predominantly handmade goods
are hung from a “Tree of Warmth”
Supplementing the
in the CSO for clients to access
knitting, some workers
as needed. Started almost 20
utilize their smart
years ago at the North Spokane
shopping skills to
office, the tradition has continued
purchase additional
through CSO moves and
gloves and mittens when
restructuring. Even as employees
the sales are ripe!
retire, others continue the project.
Regardless of where the office
was located or who was served,
the mission remained the same – to spread warmth throughout the
community of Spokane. We are proud of the efforts taken to continue
this generous service to area families.
If you would like to get involved or have yarn to spare, please contact
vasquea@dshs.wa.gov.
Tri-County Colville
CSO Children’s
Christmas Party
Thursday, 12-20-12, a Christmas Party was held at the Colville CSO for
children of the families we serve. Children wrote letters to Santa, and
each child received a letter in return. They all received a present from
their list!
Visiting children made reindeer food, ornaments out of candy canes,
Christmas cards for their parents, and watched a movie (The Polar
Express). Juice, cookies, rice crispy treats, string cheese and goldfish
crackers were served. Children had their pictures taken with Santa
and received a gift from his elves. The picture was later given to their
parents. Some families received a picture of the entire family.
The families involved were appreciative of the kindness. Many said
their children wouldn’t have had a Christmas otherwise. It was
heartwarming to see the children smile and laugh! A huge thank you
to everyone involved in this year’s party!
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C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R C O N N EC T I O N
REGION 1 continued
Shared Strengths Workshops
Shared strengths workshops continue in Region One. Attendees included the
student government for Yakima Valley College (both Grandview campus and Yakima
campus), staff from YVC, and staff from the Yakima DSHS Division of Child Support,
DSHS Moses Lake Community Services Office, DSHS Division of Developmental
Disabilities, and DSHS Division of Child Support.
Yakima Valley College • August 29, 2012
SEATED FIRST ROW LEFT TO RIGHT Adam Olivas, Diana Jennings, Jamie Davis, April Carrillo, Ruben Cortez, Stefanie Menard, Theresa
Schuknecht SEATED SECOND ROW LEFT TO RIGHT Barbara Cook, Kelly Robbins, Tammara Zimmerman, Lisa Hansen, Stefanie Tanasse,
Chris Glaser, Todd Reed STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT Ken Sauby, Beverly Brockway, Jared Kirby, Michael Floresca, Brad Kent, JB Fontenot,
Mary Sziebert, Cheryl Sherman
DSHS Sunnyside Community Service Office • October 1, 2012
SEATED LEFT TO RIGHT Sharon Cloninger, Katie Liddicoat, Jeri Weber, Gail Blegen-Frost, David Romero, Emma Ygona-Parrish, Greg
Fielding STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT Phil Diaz, Erin Breitenstein, Maribel Gonzalez, Dee Howard, Dennis Knox, Alicia Walker, Sara Smart,
Connie McWain, Kristina Rasmussen, Diane Bonin, Cindi Abbott, Pat Glowaski, Gloria Martínez, Noel Alaniz, Jenny Purcell, Paddy
Carlson, Wilma Brown, Michael Morgan, Sandy Escamilla, Marilyn Johnson, Lyndsey Wilson, Steve Jordan, Denise Boyer, Ken Sauby
DSHS Moses Lake Community Service Office • October 3, 2012
SEATED LEFT TO RIGHT Michelle Wolf, Christine Mickelson, Barbara Umberger, Pam Tikker, Tracy Hollingsworth, Jami Smith, Josh Ohta,
Socorro Wright, Sharlene Gentry, Erika Torres, Mary Mitchell, Jennifer Roybal, Darcy O’Neil, Nichole Garcia, Melanie Piperek, Linda
Bland STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT Ken Sauby, Don Fuller, Daniel Marshall, Suzanne Zinke, Leslie Osborne-Allen, Mike Silva, Arin Swinger,
Kris Russell, Mary Garcia-Fagan, Itza Reyes, Alvena McClintick, Todd Vercoe, Joseph Hall, Olga Lutsyk, Tory Carl, Jan Pottenger, Tory
Fiedler, Becky Buckner, Karen Lantz, Lynette Walker, Mary Jo White, Brenda Verbeck, Jeff Rose, Jean Rabe, Diane Ewer
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C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R C O N N EC T I O N
REGION 1 continued
Excellence in Management
Nearly 70 community members from Okanogan County and beyond attended
a two-part “Excellence in Management” presentation by Michael Nash of
Nash Consulting, Inc. on November 16.
Jack Kaplan, Employer Resource Specialist with Career Path Services, trained
on “Behavioral Interviewing” to more than 40 the week before.
The workshops are being offered free to community partners and businesses
through a WorkFirst Innovation Incentive grant awarded to the Okanogan
County Local Planning Area (LPA). The LPA partners of the Okanogan
Community Services Office, WorkSource Omak, Career Path Services, and
Wenatchee Valley College spearheaded the grant project. Economic Alliance
has partnered with the LPA to provide marketing resources and registration
for the workshops.
The LPA’s goal is to provide timely and relevant training to local agencies
and businesses. Many of them serve WorkFirst families or employ parents
as they leave the WorkFirst program. The faltering economy has created
challenges for organizations in rural Okanogan County to access this kind
of instructor-led training. Marie Falmo, co-chair of the LPA, told attendees,
“Supporting you, your businesses and community agencies is vital to
ensuring opportunities and resources are available to our WorkFirst families.
You matter to us. You matter to the families we serve.”
Kaplan’s “Behavioral Interviewing” is based on the premise that someone’s
past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. Using behavioral
interviewing techniques can help ensure employers hire the best candidate
the first time and reduce the high cost of turnover, estimated to be more
than $5,500 per vacancy for an $8-per-hour position according to recent
studies. Hiring that focuses too heavily on technical skills or “gut feelings”
too often results in incompatibility and turnover.
Nash’s workshops included “Creating a Positive Workplace Environment” and
“Giving Feedback to Employees without Lowering Morale.” He emphasized
managers’ roles in creating and maintaining high morale atmospheres that
are efficient, productive and provide good customer service. Nash provided
specific tools and ideas of how to strengthen relationships and how to
address corrective action when it becomes necessary.
Nash returns to Okanogan on February 13, to present“Behavior Styles:
Managing Others with Trust and Respect” and “Internal Customer Service.”
The series concludes on April 17 when Ellis Amdur of the Edgewood Crisis
Intervention Resources presents his training, “De-Escalation of Aggressive
and Mentally Ill Individuals.” All trainings are free to the public. Registrations
will be handled online at www.economic-alliance.org or by calling the
Economic Alliance office at 509-826-5107.
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C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R C O N N EC T I O N
REGION 1 continued
Community Connect Day in Kittitas County
More than 260 area residents of all ages came to the FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity) Food Bank Thursday, October 11, 2012 for Community Connect Day! An effort
made possible by the Kittitas County Homeless and Affordable Housing Network to
connect those in-need with local social service providers.
Clients received multiple services in one place.
More than 30 service agencies participated. Most everything
was free, including hair-cuts, vaccinations, dental screenings, eye exams, diabetes test, clothing, coats and cookbooks. Chef Frank Schepman and his group of volunteers
served two meals for those attending.
The event was a huge success and plans for 2013 are already in the works!
Cindy Ollgaard, WorkFirst Program Specialist from the
Ellensburg CSO and Mitch Rhoades from Entrust Community
Services prepare food for Community Connect Day
REGION
2
update
Region 2 (King County) Reaches Out at the
Semi-Annual Community Resource Exchange
at Seattle Center
On Thursday, October 18th 2012, the United Way Community
Resource Exchange (CRE) was held at the Seattle Center. More
than 400 volunteers participated in this semi-annual outreach
event. Because of the help, support and giving nature of the
volunteers a difference was made in the lives of more than 1,200
homeless and other low-income individuals and families.
•219 guests received eye exams with 150 individuals receiving
prescriptions for glasses
•200+ guests were connected in the communications center
(phone calls, voice mail, email resources and more)
•130 guests received Washington state identification card
vouchers
•180 guests received a flu shot
•250 haircuts were given
•1,000 pairs of shoes were given away
•80+ guests applied for benefits, reported changes or had
questions answered about their DSHS benefits
Region 2 (King County) and the Mobile CSO along with Division of
Child Support helped to staff this event making it a huge success!
Thanks goes out to everyone involved!
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C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R C O N N EC T I O N
REGION
3
update
Region 3 Community Services Offices
and Mobile CSO win Outstanding Large
Organization Award for 2012 from Project
Homeless Connect-Pierce County
DSHS has been committed to Project Homeless Connect in Pierce
County since inception in 2008. The intent of the project is to offer
services to homeless residents in one day for what normally takes
eight months. Participants received a wide range of services from
medical, dental, haircuts, housing, flu shots and DSHS services.
Originally a miniCSO was created to serve the clients. It took an
enormous amount of collaboration to set up. But the Mobile CSOs
have been a a lifesaver in easing the workload. Shannon Monroe,
Mobile CSO Administrator stepped in making special arrangements to ensure her team was present.
Thanks to this commitment we received the “Outstanding Large
Organization Award for 2012”. The Pierce County Project Homeless Connect was held on October 20, 2012 where more than 900
individuals received services. Special thanks go to:
Holiday Families and the Shelton CSO
In partnership with the Area Agency on Aging, the
Shelton CSO adopted seven holiday families in 2012.
As an office, we wanted to give to those in need
and focus on people who may not otherwise have a
special holiday treat.
These families asked for so little that it was a
blessing to give and work with such a great group
of people to fulfill each wish-list item. We were able
to donate much needed gift cards, pet supplies,
a blood pressure reader, back pack, Christmas
tree and Wheaties. That’s right, Wheaties is all he
wanted!
When the gifts were delivered there was so much
happiness and gratitude! It was wonderful to pull
together as an office and help our local community.
Community Service Offices
•Danielle Magee, Lakewood
•John Gunn, Pierce North
•Kristina Barry, Pierce North
•Glynis McClain, Pierce North
•Lisa Avent, Pierce South
•Johanna Brickle, Pierce South
•Valorie Holloway, Pierce South
Mobile CSO - East
•Fran Cervantes
•Gina Garza
•Josie Mendoza
•Francesca Naccarato
Mobile CSO - West
•Jan Egland
•Eric Tayag
•Ezra Paskus
LEFT TO RIGHT Johanna Brickle, Kristina Barry, Lisa Avent, John Gunn,
Vicky McLaurin, Roberta Marsh, Jan Egland, and Eric Tayag
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C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R C O N N EC T I O N
MOBILE CSO
DSHS Mobile CSO Partnered with Spokane Christmas
Bureau providing assistance to low-income families
over the holiday season
Mobile CSO staff and local CSO/CSC volunteer staff also worked
one-on-one with more than 295 households inside the mobile office.
They processed more than 99 new DSHS applications, completed an
additional 51 eligibility reviews and processed multiple changes to
active cases. Mobile staff and volunteers also walked the long lines
of waiting families answering questions and providing resource
materials each day outreaching to thousands of Spokane residents.
Contact Shannon Monroe at Shannon.monroe@dshs.wa.gov to
find out more information about the Mobile CSO and schedule the
Mobile CSO team to attend your next community event.
Do you know of a community event that needs a DSHS presence or do you
want to know more about the Mobile CSO and where it will be next? You
can find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSHS-MobileCSO-WA-State/236276269805024 or www.dshs.wa.gov/mobileoffice. You
can also contact one of our team by calling Shannon Monroe at (360) 7254881. We look forward to working with you!
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C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R C O N N EC T I O N
Jesse Tinsley pho
Before families and individuals received their holiday treasures each
household was required to provide verification of their need for assistance. Many found themselves unable to provide this information
but, fortunately, the Mobile CSO lended a hand to help verify the
circumstances in 878 households. By the time the Christmas Bureau
closed on December 21, a grand total of 32,060 people were served.
Toys were distributed to 16,124 children and 9,877 households were
issued food vouchers for groceries.
to
The Spokane Christmas Bureau’s 2012 Holiday Event was another
huge success for the Mobile Community Service Office. This partnership added DSHS’s cash, food, and medical programs to the
more traditional holiday toys and grocery vouchers provided by the
Christmas Bureau to struggling Spokane families.