(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Subcommittee,
announced that she has included funding to boost King County health care and
education priorities in the Fiscal Year 2011 LHHS Appropriations bill.
“In
the 21st century economy, it is critical that we continue investing in local
projects that train our workforce, teach our students, and boost our economy in
communities throughout King County,” said Senator Murray. “These investments will
fund community priorities like a college readiness program and health care
training. I was proud to fight for these local investments, and I’m going to
continue working to help Washington state communities meet the needs of their
families.
Having
passed the LHHS Subcommittee, the bill will now go to the full Senate
Appropriations Committee before going to the full Senate for consideration.
The
following projects were included in the bill for King County:
Workforce
Development Council of Seattle-King County, Regional Skills Alignment Project
(R-SAP) – $400,000
This
funding will increase the number of K-12 students that are prepared for
positions in key local industries, and will improve alignment of training
programs with the needs of local employers.
“In a global
economy, the workforce training system must meet the workforce demands of
business. The WDC of Seattle-King County is an expert in developing
demand-side approaches to workforce problems, and we welcome the opportunity to
continue our efforts in sectors that are critical to our local economy.
Demand-side approaches are a proven and effective use of existing resources and
they will help our local area stay competitive in the long term,” said Marléna
Sessions, Chief Executive Officer.
Thrive
By Five Washington, Washington Early Literacy Success – $300,000
This
funding would allow Thrive by Five Washington to enhance and expand early
childhood literacy programs across the state.
“As a
grandparent, I experience the joy and wonder of children’s learning as we read
and tell stories together. As a philanthropist and Board President at
Thrive by Five Washington, I know that having actionable steps identified which
will enable effective early literacy programs to be taken to scale is key to
helping all children to succeed,” said
Jackie Bezos, Board President, Thrive by Five Washington.
El
Centro de la Raza, College Readiness Program – $100,000
This
funding would allow El Centro de la Raza to increase the number of students
that are prepared for and pursue post-secondary education.
“As a
voice and hub for the Latino community in Seattle and Martin Luther King, Jr.
County, El Centro de la Raza provides dual language, comprehensive programs and
services that help empower our youth to go to college, our children to build
strong self-esteem, our families to become self-reliant, and our seniors to age
with dignity and quality of life. El Centro de la Raza receives funding
from all sectors. These federal funds are vital to providing education
opportunities and college preparation for our children and youth to build
strong futures. These funds will also provide a vehicle to transport hot meals
for every day of the week to our homebound seniors in Seattle. These
healthy meals are sometimes the only source or a substantial source of their
food supply each week. For more information about these programs and services
we invite you to visit our new website at www.elcentrodelaraza.org,” said Estela Ortega, Executive
Director, El Centro de la Raza.
University
of Washington, Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities –
$570,000
This
funding will provide equipment to assist in the renovation of the 35-year-old
facility and will upgrade the clinic with the goal of improving the health and
safety of patients.
“The
requested funding will support the expansion and renovation of a nationally
recognized clinic devoted to dental education and comprehensive care of the
disabled. The renovation will increase access to health care for a
greater number of disabled patients, improve the quality of that care for both
existing and new patients, and at the same time develop a health care workforce
that is more likely to provide care to our most vulnerable populations,” said Martha Somerman, Dean,
School of Dentistry.
Virginia
Mason Medical Center, Emergency Department Capacity Expansion Project –
$500,000
This
funding is for the purchase of equipment to update and increase capacity at the
Virginia Mason Medical Center Emergency Department.
“At
Virginia Mason Hospital, we’re focused on providing the highest quality, safest
health care for our patients while reducing wastes and waits,” said Donna Smith, MD, medical
director of Virginia Mason Hospital. “Emergency departments
throughout the country are known for their long delays, but with improved flow
of care and a CT machine on site we will improve the experience for our
emergency department patients and create more capacity when it is needed
most.”
Global
to Local Health Initiative, Tukwila/SeaTac Global to Local Health Initiative –
$400,000
This
funding will go toward supplies and equipment for the Global to Local Health
Initiative, which will serve Tukwila, SeaTac, and South King County residents
who have little or no access to basic health services and economic opportunity.
“The
collaborative effort of the partners involved in the Global to Local Health
Initiative has been impressive to say the least. Organizations have recognized
the disparities in health outcomes in South King County and as a result are acting
to improve those health outcomes using innovative, cost effective strategies,” said Dr. Rod Hochman, CEO,
Swedish Medical Center.
Providence
ElderPlace Seattle and Heritage House at the Market, Providence PACE Expansion
– $300,000
This
funding will help with equipment purchase and facilities updates for the new
PACE Center at Heritage House which will help to serve the need of elderly and
vulnerable residents in surrounding downtown Seattle communities.
“The
PACE program provides extremely well coordinated health care services to our
state’s frail and vulnerable seniors. This program assists elders in
regaining functionality and mobility that permits them to stay healthier and
independent longer. PACE has a proven track record of high quality outcomes,
while managing scarce health care resources. Being able to expand PACE in
King County will help ensure our vulnerable patients have access to the care
they need in a cost effective, quality based program,” said Ellen Garcia, Executive
Director of Providence ElderPlace.
King
County Project Access, Expanding Specialty Health Care Services for the
Low Income Residents in Snohomish and King County – $40,000
This
project is for the purchase of one-time equipment and supplies for the
expansion of King County Project Access. King County Project Access connects
low-income, uninsured and publically insured patients with a network of 500
specialty physicians, hospitals and ancillary services in King County and is
growing to serve Snohomish County patients with Snohomish County physicians,
hospitals and ancillary services. This request will provide equipment to allow
King County Project Access the capability to help more patients.
“King
County Project Access is growing to meet the increased demand in our community
and we want to support their efforts,” explains Rosemary B. Aragon, Board President of King
County Project Access.
“By working with local providers they provide a model for how to improve health
care access through the effective management of patient referrals and provider
volunteers.”
Health
Work Force Institute, Health Care Employment and Economic Development
Initiative
– $300,000
This
funding will go to facility improvement and operational costs for the Health
Care Employment and Economic Development Initiative. This funding will
help the Health Work Force Institute to identify the most promising strategies
to address the health care workforce needs and to convene and facilitate
collaboration among health care, education, philanthropic, and government
sectors.
“The
Health Work Force Institute’s work is critical to the development of the human
resources needed for the care delivery system of the future,” stated Harry Geller, Administrator
of Othello Community Hospital and board member of the Health Work Force
Institute, an affiliate of the Washington State Hospital Association. “Without the work of the
Institute, hospitals would face additional challenges in training existing and
future health care workers.”
YouthCare,
Telecom Employment Training for Homeless & At-Risk Youth – $100,000
This
funding will develop industry-specific skills for youth between the ages of
16-21 to work in the telecommunications industry and help the program continue
to focus on homeless youth, those aging out of foster care, and youth involved
with the corrections system.
“Moving
forward, we must prepare all young people for the 21st century economy.
Typically, homeless and at-risk youth have not had access to traditional
pathways for jobs and access to mentors in the fields to provide the support
needed to succeed. The Telecom project will be an effective approach that
catapults participants forward, allowing them to compete with their peers. The
C-Tech training system is an innovative turn-key curriculum that allows us to
jump-start the learning process with hands-on training that is accessible,
interesting and engaging for young people,” said Melinda Giovengo,
YouthCare Executive Director.
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