HCA: Help us raise awareness that Apple Health is Medicaid

Nearly 2 million Washingtonians rely on Apple Health, our state's Medicaid program, for essential health care. But many don’t know that Apple Health is Medicaid. We’ve created the Apple Health is Medicaid Communications Toolkit to help our partners, community leaders, and advocates share clear, consistent messages about Apple Health. More information HERE

HCA: Perinatal mental health provider survey

Washington State Health Care Authority and Department of Health are conducting a short survey to better understand Washington’s perinatal mental health workforce – professionals who provide care during pregnancy and up to one year after birth. We’re especially interested in the experiences of providers serving pregnant and postpartum individuals covered by Apple Health (Medicaid). Your input will help identify gaps in care and guide strategies to improve services for families across the state.  If you’re a licensed or license-eligible mental health clinician in Washington, we want to hear from you!  Take the survey

Hopelink: Trauma Informed Community of Practice Sep 10, 2025 * Oct 8, 2025 * Nov 12, 2025

For the Aug 27 session we’re excited to welcome Karent Rodriguez La Paz, Vice President of Community Affairs at Hopelink, for a powerful session on trauma-informed communication and advocacy. Together, we’ll explore how to infuse equity and a trauma-informed approach into the way we communicate with staff, clients, donors, and our broader community. This session will also include space for open discussion, giving you the opportunity to reflect and share how these themes show up in your own work and experiences. Join us for a meaningful conversation that will deepen understanding and inspire action! Upcoming session themes: September 10th: Share tools from the National Council on Mental Wellbeing for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month & October 8th: Self-care in a changing climate

HCA: FCS 101 - Introduction training September 17 10 am - Noon 

Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) Foundational Community Supports (FCS) team invites you to join them for the September FCS 101. This training is intended to provide you with an introduction to the FCS program. We enthusiastically encourage providers to attend that would like to lean more about the variety of programs supported by FCS, and introduction to the Washington FCS team and answer questions you may have.  Objectives: - Introductory information about Foundational Community Supports - Supported employment services  - Supportive housing services  

501 Commons: Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

To ensure that 501 Commons will continue delivering essential services to the Washington State’s nonprofit community, significant changes to our services and programs will start later this month. You can read more about the background of this decision and the extraordinary response from our community in our official announcement: 501 Commons Board Announcement. These changes include:

• Stepping away from Washington Gives (including the GiveBIG and GivingTuesday campaigns) as of September 30, 2025. The program has raised more than $85 million for Washington nonprofits, but declining participation and a 2025 financial loss have made it unsustainable. Stepping away will allow us to focus resources on 501 Commons’ 2026 development strategy.

• Sunsetting the Data Solutions program on September 30, 2025. This program has provided excellent services since 2011, but a decline in Salesforce projects has forced us to make the difficult decision to part ways with this program offering.

• Ensuring fairness and consistency in our services and staffing model. We are making intentional decisions about programs, roles, and organizational design to align with best practices and to apply resources where they have the greatest impact. Our aim is to create structures and processes that are transparent and accessible for both staff and the communities we serve.

• Building new partnerships with aligned funders and organizations. We will expand our reach and create shared solutions for the sector, showcasing how collaboration can be a powerful force for new and innovative services.

• Re-engaging clients and recommitting to contracts. We are actively reaching out to our impacted clients and discussing options to confirm an appropriate path forward for those affected by the dissolution notice.

HCA: DC:0-5 Clinical trainings  Sept and Oct Dates

DC:0-5 trainings are back this fall! Do you provide (or want to provide) mental health assessments and diagnoses for young children? The Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (or DC:0-5) is the developmentally appropriate diagnostic manual for kids under age six, and it’s required for Apple Health mental health professionals. The DC:0-5 Clinical training is a 12-hour training to support you in utilizing the DC:0-5 in your work assessing and diagnosing children birth through age five. Continuing education credits and manuals are provided at no-cost. Multiple offerings are available.  Register

• September 30 – October 2 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day | virtual 

• October 13 – 15 | 1 to 5 p.m. each day | virtual  

The Gateways for Growth Challenge (G4G)  Apply by Sept 30

G4G is a competitive opportunity for local communities to receive support from the American Immigration Council (the Council) and Welcoming America to improve immigrant inclusion. In response to the current political climate and evolving local needs, the Gateways for Growth Challenge, Round VI will offer a 12-month opportunity for communities to receive targeted, flexible support that strengthens local welcoming efforts. The structure of Round VI will differ from previous rounds: the new model emphasizes resilience, coalition-building, rapid-response support, and practical value, without requiring full-scale strategic planning to create a welcoming plan.  Apply here

Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness: 2025  SSI/SSDI Training with Benefits Law Center Oct 28, 2025 9am

This free, virtual training is geared towards frontline providers working with individuals experiencing homelessness, with very low incomes, or a disability. Come learn how best to support the people you're working with to apply for and maintain SSI/SSDI. This training will cover an overview including, eligibilty requirements, and how to apply for benefits. Plus learn tips on how to avoid benefit pitfalls that can result in losing benefits and hear about the hearing and appeals process. Providers will have the opportunity to ask question and discuss these program with experts.

Save the Date! October 24-25! 2025 Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy Summit!

The King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Summit is two days designed to connect, empower and inspire human services professionals in King County. This year’s VSHSL Summit will kick off Day One with a full day of engaging presentations, interactive trainings, and a powerful keynote address. This year’s Summit will also offer important opportunities to network and collaborate with fellow VSHSL providers and other human service professionals. On Day Two of the Summit, explore the Community Resource Fair to learn about VSHSL programs, services, and partnerships that support veterans, seniors, and other community members in King County. Join us for great food, meaningful connection, and plenty of fun! Interested in presenting at the 2025 VSHSL Summit?  Presenters will lead 60-minute sessions that inspire and energize attendees. The sessions should showcase their organization’s work while strengthening community and collaboration APPLY HERE!

Essentials First Holiday Fair 2025 December 5, 2025, 1-4pm RSVP Today

An opportunity for tabling slots are available to any non-profit or community group offering free resources, gifts, information, or services to community members. Please no sales or donation collection. Attendance is historically in the range of 250-300 community members, generally all low-income individuals and families. You can RSVP to table here.

Les Schwab Tires For A Purpose

We’ve found that one of the best ways to strengthen our communities is to give back to those driving positive change in them every day. Les Schwab’s Tires for Purpose awards local nonprofits that are making positive impacts in our communities with a set of free tires for their organization’s vehicle. It’s a meaningful way Les Schwab helps local organizations stay on the road to do more good. Know of a nonprofit organization that could benefit from a set of free tires? See our recipient qualifications and terms and conditions.

Nonprofit Association of Washington Survey: Responding to Today’s Political Climate

We want to better understand how current political developments — including immigration enforcement actions, ICE raids, and the introduction or discussion of major federal legislation such as the “H.R. 1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — are affecting your organization and the communities you serve. Your feedback will help Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) respond effectively, advocate on your behalf, and provide the resources and support you need. Your responses will remain confidential and will only be used in aggregate to guide our programming and advocacy.

501 Commons: Stay updated on executive orders affecting nonprofits

In recent weeks, a series of executive orders has been signed, addressing a broad range of issues, including DEI initiatives, federal funding, civic engagement, immigration, and others. Since this is a quickly-moving news story, we recommend you bookmark this PDF created by the National Council of Nonprofits that provides frequent updates of how these EOs affect nonprofits. Please note some of these orders haven't gone into affect yet, or are being challenged in the courts. NCN is also inviting organizations to share their stories of how these executive actions may affect their work.

NAMI Eastside offers C.A.L.M. — Communicate, Assess, Listen, Mediate

CALM is a practical and compassionate training designed to equip individuals with the skills to de-escalate situations involving someone in mental health crisis—specifically in the workplace. This presentation helps participants recognize signs of distress, respond with empathy, and use de-escalation techniques that prioritize safety and respect. Whether you're in a leadership role, a team member, or part of a community organization, this training provides essential tools for supporting colleagues during challenging moments. Mental health crises can happen anywhere. Knowing how to respond calmly and effectively can make all the difference. Learn more or request a presentation: info@nami-eastside.org |  nami-eastside.org/calm

The Find a Ride Team: new blog post about the Find a Ride Communications Toolkit.

This post contains information to share on your social media channels and to promote Find a Ride’s Trip Planner throughout Puget Sound at in-person events. You may either copy these messages directly or customize them to reach your audience. The full toolkit pdf includes translated newsletter blurbs, translated 8 ½ by 11 flyers, and suggested social media posts. The trip planner is available in: Amharic, English, Chinese, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mon-Khmer/ Cambodian, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, with more languages being added in the future. Email FindARide@hopelink.org for more information. Phone support is available. Visit our website to try our new trip planner!

Disability Empowerment Center is offering an increasing array of Consulting Services to businesses, government agencies and organizations. If your company has a goal of increasing accessibility in 2025, consider one of our services

Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness: Public Benefit Trainings

In partnership with Solid Ground’s Benefits Legal Assistance and REACH, we are pleased to host the Public Benefits Are Key! training series. This series is geared towards case managers working with people experiencing homelessness – both new case managers as well as experienced providers who have questions and would like additional support in navigating these resources. You will learn what you can do as a case manager to help your client navigate the benefits process, hear key tips for avoiding barriers, and learn when to contact an attorney. This will be a practical, hands-on training.

• Aged, Blind, & Disabled (ABD) and Housing & Essential Needs (HEN) Training – Wed, September 10 from 9-11 a.m. over Zoom

• SSI/SSDI Training – Tuesday, October 28 from 9-11 a.m. over Zoom

• Check out all the Coalition’s past trainings and meetings on our YouTube – https://bit.ly/homelesscoalition-youtube

BSK: Culturally Responsive Measurement Tool – Protective Factors Information Session 

The Culturally Responsive Measurement Tool – Protective Factors (CRMT-PF) is a survey with 22 questions measuring five protective factors: family resilience, knowledge of parenting & child development, social supports, concrete support, and caregiver/practitioner relationships. Watch the videos below to learn about the tool and visit the CRMT-PF blog post to learn more.  Use the links below to access each training video: 

1. Introduction to the CRMT-PF

2. How to Administer the CRMT-PF

3. How to Score the CRMT-PF

4. How to Understand + Use CRMT-PF Scores

501 Commons: A Compliance Notice from the 501 Commons Human Resources Program

Starting on January 1, 2025, Washington State’s minimum wage will rise to $16.66 per hour, a 2.35% increase from 2024. The pay threshold for an employee to be exempt also increases. In Washington, this is a factor of the minimum wage and will increase to $1,332.80/week (or $69,305.60/year) for small employers (1-50 employees) and $1,499.40/week ($77,968.80/year) for large employers (51+ employees). Anyone paid below these thresholds must be nonexempt and paid overtime regardless of their title or job duties. Check out the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) website for a salary threshold implementation schedule. As always, in addition to meeting the pay threshold, an exempt employee must meet a duties test and be paid the same amount weekly regardless of hours worked. Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, and Burien have (or will have) higher minimum wages than the state requires. 
If you need guidance, tap our HR Quick Consults service by sending an email to hrconsults@501commons.org. You can receive assistance for only $25 per 15-minute increment. We can generally respond within 72 hours. Need HR assistance on a deeper level? 501 Commons team of HR experts worked with more than 150 organizations in 2024. We provide HR Consulting Services and an HR Partners program. The partners program provides ongoing support for hiring, employee relations, HR policies, compensation, performance management, and more. The program starts at $1200/month and is much less expensive than hiring internal HR staff. Begin a conversation with us today.

501 Commons: OMB makes updates to federal grantmaking rules Effective Oct 1, 2024

The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently published revisions to rules governing federal grantmaking to charitable nonprofits (as well as state, local, and Tribal governments) that will go into effect on October 1, 2024. The goal is to make the process of nonprofits receiving federal funding easier and more straightforward to manage. See these slides from a presentation delivered by the National Council of Nonprofits for more details. These changes should make it easier for smaller organizations and projects to receive federal funding, ensure the funds reach communities most in need, and reduce burdens on requirements and reporting for organizations seeking federal funding, as well as those already receiving federal grants. Under the current rules, organizations of all sizes have the same or similar requirements.

Find a Ride: New Trip Planner and Engagement Opportunities!

Our focus over the coming months is engaging with organizations who support King County travelers in their mobility and trip planning decisions. We are particularly interested in connecting with organizations and agencies who provide phone support and referrals for transportation. Using Find a Ride's trip planner in your day-to-day operations will provide a more accurate referral experience for your clients. As part of our "no wrong door" approach, we want to facilitate thoughtful handoffs between organizations and agencies. To arrange a demonstration and presentation of Find a Ride for your organization, please contact Laura Loe, Program Manager. Please email FindARide@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760 and press 3. Find a Ride's service discovery website and trip planner contain transportation services across Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties.  Visit www.FindARide.org for more information.  Learn about our multi-phase roadmap and project updates at https://www.kcmobility.org/ococ. 

Washington State Regional Outreach Representatives

Regional Outreach Representatives serve as the primary liaison between the Office of the Governor, local communities, and tribal governments statewide. They develop strategic relationships with and provide assistance to community organizations, elected officials and residents on regional and statewide issues. For King County, contact Jennifer Wood jennifer.wood@gov.wa.gov

Department of Health FREE Test-&-Go 24/7 Accessible Kiosks

NEW Kiosks across the state will offer free COVID-19, flu tests, and healthcare supplies, 24/7. Accessible kiosks are in food banks, transit stations, churches, schools, and libraries. GENERAL INFORMATION for kiosks in your community/non-profit.  REQUEST FORM for kiosks in your community/non-profit. Tests include COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, multiplex rapid antigen tests (detect flu types A and B and COVID-19), and self-swab PCR tests. Learn more: DOH COVID-19 Testing.  DOH website.  Public Health Connection Blog Sign-up. 

Good Food Exchange

Good Food Exchange is an online marketplace dedicated to keeping good food on plates and out of the landfill. This platform creates a space for farms, distributors, and other organizations with surplus or recovered food to find recipients who can use it to its highest value. Food businesses and food security organizations alike can use this resource to find and share offers for edible, free or low-cost food which may have otherwise gone to waste.

BSK: Home-Based Services strategy Community Meetings

We’re launching community meetings across the county to help us create a continuum of services for our Home-based Services strategy.  Our Home-based Services strategy focuses on creating systems that provide parents with resources that support healthy births, parents’ knowledge and confidence, parent-child attachment, positive childhood development, and school readiness. Learn more about our Home-based services strategy by reading our one-pager here.   Starting in October we will host meetings with community organizations in different King County regions to support cultivating a collaborative and coordinated approach prior to the release of the Home-Based Services Funding Opportunity. We hope to invest in ways that inspires organizational cross-collaboration, rather than competition so families across our communities benefit and organizations have a strong referral system with one another.   Register here for upcoming community meetings! Providers located and serving children and families in North and East King County will meet beginning October 14. Providers in Seattle and South King County will meet beginning October 21.   

King County: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Services Available for Nonprofits

King County and the Office of Equity and Social Justice are committed to investing in capacity building and infrastructure for community-based organizations awarded federal COVID-19 grants and contracts. To provide technical assistance and capacity building, King County has allocated $400,000 through 2022 to contract with organizations and businesses that have the expertise to provide services to potential applicants and grantees. If you’re interested in applying to receive services from one of our partners, please fill out the one page application form. Services include: • Grant-writing and grant budget development • Accounting • Grant Management • Designing data collection methods • Strategic planning • Long-term budget development • Governance structures • Standard operating policies and procedures • Staff structure • Technology solutions. For questions on eligibility, services provided, program timeline, and our partner organizations visit our website at kingcounty.gov. For further questions, contact us at oesjgrants@kingcounty.gov. I want to apply for technical assistance

ELAP: Recommended CLE for Pro Bono Attorneys: Trauma-Informed Advocacy

Many legal aid clients have experienced some form of trauma. We believe all pro bono attorneys should understand how trauma affects client-attorney interactions, which will make you a more effective advocate.  Practicing Law Institute’s 1-hour CLE program “Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Strategies and Best Practices” is a must-watch for attorneys providing pro bono legal aid. It addresses how trauma can manifest in client relations and offers best practices for building trust with your clients. Read more about how to access this CLE on our blog.

3E Behavior Solutions - Professional Workplace Violence Mitigation and De-Escalation Education for Your Entire Staff

We reframe your staff's experience about workplace violence and teach them how to navigate acutely stressful situations in order to provide your organization with the safest and most positive environment to serve your communities. Reach out for more information on customized trainings, pricing options, and more.

Tesfa Program’s Ethiopian Outreach Guide

The Tesfa Program, developed this web-based toolkit to increase the capacity of providers, organizations, and decision-makers to better connect and serve local Ethiopian communities.

1. Share the guide with your colleagues, friends, and community!

2. Share your feedback — we want to continue to build on this resource! Please email Selam Misgano at smisgan066@gmail.com to tell us what you think. Do you know of similar projects? Who should we reach out to get this toolkit more widely utilized?

3. Invite us to present! To further spread the word of the resources and knowledge within the Outreach Guide, and our experiences serving community during the pandemic we are giving presentations to interested community members, public health and policy students, and health focused organizations, and coalitions, in and around Washington State. Email Selam Misgano at smisgan066@gmail.com to begin the conversation!

Sound Generations Geriatric Mental Health Specialist Workshops

Sound Generations has taken on the coordination of Geriatric Mental Health Specialist Workshops. These workshops have previously been coordinated by Karen Kent, LMHC, GMHS and more recently by Terri Haaga, MSW, LICSW, GMHS. These six-hour workshops held once a month provide licensed professionals with the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) and stay up-to-date on best practices in the geriatric mental health field. The classes offered qualify for the 100 hours of training required by the State of Washington for the Geriatric Mental Health Specialist certification.

Connect2Community Network Building the Foundation for a Healthier, More Equitable Community

We’re building a unified community information exchange (CIE) to enable care coordination between health, behavioral health, tribal, community and social service organizations in King County, WA. It will enable organizations to send, receive and follow up on electronic referrals, increase access to resources via a shared directory, and provide visibility of other organizations providing care. Find more information here. Check out our video!

InterConnection: Computer grants

are awarded to organizations that deliver necessary and valuable services to underserved communities like technology training, health care, education, and job training, but need upgraded computers to better manage their organization and improve their capacity to deliver those valuable services. Interconnection reviews nonprofit grant applications 4 times a year. Please read the eligibility information to make sure your organization is eligible.  APPLICATION DEADLINES:  February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 30

Communities Rise: Announcing a new Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits

Created in collaboration with the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development and Perkins Coie The Lease Amendment Toolkit is designed to give small businesses and nonprofits information and template documents so they can successfully negotiate payment plans with their landlords before the moratoriums are lifted.

WA State Surplus Program  State Program Flyer - Federal Program Flyer - Veteran Program Flyer

 Through the Dept of Enterprise Services (DES), all cities, counties, school districts, and most non-profits all qualify for the State Surplus Priority Program. These entities can take advantage of additional benefits available through Surplus Operations by requesting certain items before they become available for auction to the public. They also have a Federal Surplus Program as well. Small veteran owned business, educational nonprofits, nonprofit health institutions, nonprofit programs for the elderly, and veteran organizations are all eligible for the Federal program. Finally, for Veteran-Owned Small Business Programs they have a program where these small businesses can apply to receive federal surplus property through the Small Business Administration. For questions about these programs, you can reach out to agencysurpluspurch@des.wa.gov – a general mailbox that connects with the team at DES that supports this program.