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Pierce County Connected Response Daily Report
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Prepared by: Erika Tucci, Erika@benbcheneyfoundation.org
Effective as of: 4:30 p.m., June 9, 2020

The PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED Response Committee is working diligently every day to source and vet information to share across networks as we all work together to meet human service needs.

If you have information to contribute, please email us.


Please see the last two pages of this report to learn more about this effort.  
OPERATIONS (What’s Happening)

Food System: 
 
  • About the Pierce County Food System
    If you are not familiar with the food system in Pierce County, see documents at the end of this report.

     
  • Register For the Weekly Food Providers Call
    Food providers call: If you would like to participate in the weekly convening and sharing of information for food provision in the county, call happens on Mondays at 11 a.m. Email Shawn at shawnp@uwpc.org.

     
Shelter & Housing:      
 
  • Tacoma Rescue Mission Men’s Shelter Tested for COVID-19 Yesterday
    Monday, June 8 marks the end of the Health Department’s pilot shelter testing project. Three sites were tested – Nativity House Shelter, the Puyallup Temporary Emergency Location (not to be called a “shelter”, even though it is shelter) and the Tacoma Rescue Mission’s Men’s shelter. All clients and staff present were tested – regardless of symptoms. Both the Nativity House shelter and the Puyallup “location” had no positive cases. Results from Tacoma Rescue Mission’s testing should be in midweek. 

     
  • Webinar: How Housing Programs in Rural Communities Can Address Immediate Needs During COVID
    June 11, 10 to 11 a.m.
    Pierce County is a mix of urban, suburban and rural. The homeless system struggles to adequately server our rural communities. This webinar explores some options for addressing immediate needs. Register online.

     
  • HUD to Distribute Over $6M More for Homelessness and Homeless Prevention in Pierce County
    Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the 2nd round of Emergency Services Grant (ESG) funding - $2.8M to the City of Tacoma and $3.3M for Pierce County. This is new funding (allocated to HUD in the CARES Act, but the distribution allocations were just announced). It is in addition to the direct CARES Act funding Pierce County received and the CARES Act funding the state allocated to Tacoma. Read the HUD Press release.

     
  • Advocate for Housing & Essential Needs
    WA Low Income Housing Alliance

    The Governor's office received a $16 million cut proposal to the Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program. One thing we know is the wrong approach during an economic downturn: austerity budget cuts. Yet, state elected officials are required to balance the budget and unfortunately cuts to key human service programs are on the table.

    No decisions have yet been made and lawmakers can still choose a no-cuts approach. We can and must fight for a better approach, by calling on the Governor and our Legislators to:
     
    • Heavily invest in Washington's COVID related funding in rental assistance and foreclosure prevention,
       
    • Prevent cuts to our state affordable housing, homelessness, and safety net programs,
       
    • AND take action toward progressive revenue that will ease the burden on low-income and working households, adequately fund affordable housing and homelessness programs, and make our economy more resilient in the long-run!

      Please take action right now by sending a note to Governor Inslee and your other state lawmakers.
 


Childcare/Education:
  • No report today. 


 
Behavioral Health:
 
  • WA Counselors of Color Network  
    The Washington Counselors of Color Network serves an array of ethnic clients needing counseling and therapy from providers who understand the specific needs of people of color and various cultures. As licensed therapists and counselors, we have a variety of backgrounds, experiences, ethnicities and language skills needed to assist many ethnicities in Washington. Learn more.

     
  • Tacoma Urban League Black Business Directory – Therapists Listed
    The Tacoma Urban League Black Business Directory also has mental health therapists listed.

     
  • Free Counseling Resource for Tacoma Queer-Identifying Individuals Engaged in Activism Work
    A message from Kian...
    Hey wonderful south sound queers! I'm donating some therapy sessions to folks involved in front line resistance. If you or folks you know could use a little extra mental health support right now, I have space to take on 3 folks for 3 sessions each. Priority given to folks disproportionately impacted by anti-Black violence and folks involved in direct action.
    kleggettcounseling.com
    253.299.4664 (call/text)
    welcome@kleggettcounseling.com

     
  • Free Mental Health Training in Spanish
    "Maintaining Mental Well-Being in Our Home During Hard Times"
    Action for Healthy Kids is Hosting a FREE Mental Health Training in Spanish on June 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit them online for more info or to register.

     
  • HCA Seeking Members to Serve on Involuntary Treatment Act Work Group
    The Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking Washington residents interested in serving on the Involuntary Treatment Act work group established in Senate Bill 5720, which passed during the 2020 legislative session. The work group will evaluate the effect of changes to the Involuntary Treatment Act made in SB 5720, and evaluate vulnerabilities in the crisis system.

    The work group will:
     
    • Meet at least three times in 2020 to identify and evaluate systems and procedures that may be required to implement 120-hour initial detention, develop recommendations to implement the 120-hour initial detention statewide, and disseminate recommendations to stakeholders and report them to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2021.
       
    • Meet at least six times in 2021 to evaluate the implementation of the 120-hour initial detention and the effects, if any, on involuntary behavioral health treatment capacity statewide; and other issues and vulnerabilities related to the implementation of this act and the involuntary treatment system.
       
    • Develop recommendations for operating the crisis system based on the above evaluation and disseminate these recommendations to stakeholders and report them to the Governor and Legislature by June 30, 2022.
       
  • The work group will include up to 18 members reflecting statewide representation, diverse viewpoints and experience with involuntary treatment cases. At this time, we are specifically looking for appointees to fulfill these positions:
     
    • Family members and persons with lived experience of behavioral health disorders.
       
    • At least two behavioral health peers with lived experience of civil commitment.
       
    • Members of the work group must be able to attend part-day meetings over the next 18 months. We will strive for a mix of in-person and online meetings.

      To apply for this work group send the following information to amber.leaders@gov.wa.gov by June 15, 2020:
      • Name
      • Address
      • Phone number
      • Email address
      • A few sentences about why you are interested in participating on this work group, detailing your experience in this area, and which of the member types listed above you would represent.

         
  • TALK SAVES LIVES - Suicide Prevention, Menu of Webinars
    Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. View their menu of webinars geared for different communities and individuals.


     
Faith Community:
 
  • Faith Community Resource Page
    Visit Associated Ministries' resource webpage to view a continuously updated list of ideas, links and resources of particular interest to local faith communities. If you know of a helpful resource that should be included on this page, please email us at communications@associatedministries.org.


     
General Info:
 
  • Webinar From Sound Outreach
    “Plugging into Pierce County Utility Resources: Lower Payments & Manage Bills”

    Jun 11, 10 a.m.
    Register Online
    In this webinar, representatives from Tacoma Public Utilities, Puget Sound Energy, and Sound Outreach will discuss what resources exist to help keep your utility bills affordable. Various relief programs created due to COVID, and existing discounts and credits for many utility customers will be discussed. Also, tips for saving money though smarter use of energy will see your bills decrease. Join us to learn and ask questions.

     
  • Center for Dialogue & Resolution: Dialogue in Times of Conflict
    Please take a moment to listen to this helpful five-minute Facebook video from the Center for Dialogue & Resolution’s Executive Director, Maralise Hood Quan. What does it take for productive dialogue in times of community conflict? Follow their page for a message every Friday from Maralise.

     
  • State Department Budget Worksheets Released
    The COVID-19 pandemic has done significant damage to Washington’s economy. With state revenue collections projected to decline sharply for the foreseeable future, OFM last month directed state agencies to identify options for reducing their FY 2021 spending. Agency responses are compiled in spreadsheets on this web page.

    The spreadsheets reflect preliminary savings options identified by each agency. They are not formal proposals and do not necessarily reflect the priorities of Gov. Inslee or the agency. Because a program or service reduction is listed does not mean the reduction will actually happen, or happen at the level shown. OFM will continue to work with agencies to review and refine savings options for the governor and the Legislature to consider.

     
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s Dashboard
    COVID-19 In Pierce County. Data updated daily.
LOGISTICS (Resources)


Funding:
 

Thriving Communities:

Rebuilding for tomorrow and the future continues to be at the heart of our conversations. Clarity around principles that will guide our rebuilding and delivery of services for every person in our community. We identified principles to use with an equity lens for rebuilding strategies.

Suggested guiding principles
  • Life: for EVERYONE
  • Liberty: for EVERYONE
  • Pursuit of happiness: for EVERYONE
We welcome all thoughts and ideas regarding values and principles. Below are resources to assist in identifying guiding principles. Please send your thoughts, suggestions and ideas on principles to Dianna at diannakielian@comcast.net.



Volunteers:
  • The United Way of Pierce County is the main point of contact for all volunteering information in Pierce County. The County and State Emergency Operations Centers are linking to this resource.
     
Excerpts from the Department of Health’s Report:


 Updated May 15, 2020
 

Statewide High-Level Analysis of Forecasted Behavioral Health Impacts from COVID-19

 

Purpose

This document provides a brief overview of the potential statewide, behavioral health impacts from COVID-19. The intent of this document is to communicate the potential impacts of the outbreak to response planners and behavioral health organizations, public and private, so they can adequately prepare.
 
 

Bottom Line Up Front

  • The COVID-19 pandemic is considered a ‘natural disaster’ and as such, this document is heavily informed by research on disaster recovery and response.
     
  • The behavioral health impacts from the COVID-19 outbreak and related government actions have to- date caused a surge in behavioral health symptoms across the state, which is a trend likely to continue. This surge will present differently based on the stage of the pandemic, the effectiveness of the overall response effort, and the populations being impacted. A second or third pandemic wave will dramatically change this forecast, as outlined in the scenarios that follow. This forecast will be updated monthly to reflect changes in baseline data.
     
  • Ongoing behavioral health impacts in Washington will likely be seen in phases, peaking around 6-9 months post initial-outbreak. This will likely coincide with a potential second wave of infections, in a pattern consistent with previous pandemics.

 


Figure 1. Reactions and Behavioral Symptoms in Disasters: SAMHSA
https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/recovering-disasters/phases-disaster

 
  • In Washington, the highest risk of suicide will likely occur between October and December 2020. This is consistent with known cycles of disaster response patterns. Seasonal affective disorder exacerbates mental health challenges at that time of year due to increased hours of darkness and inclement weather, as does the occurrence of winter holidays, which are often an emotionally and financially difficult time of year for many people.
     
  • Outreach and support strategies need to be tailored based on the current phase of the incident and the target population. Resources exist to inform outreach and support strategies. Additional resources to support these efforts are currently under development.
     
  • Efforts should focus on activating/augmenting existing community supports to increase social connections, which reduces behavioral health symptoms, and encouraging active coping skills among target audiences.
     
  • An eventual return to baseline levels of functioning for many people should occur around 12-14 months post- initial outbreak, assuming that the potential second wave of the pandemic is stabilized by that time, in terms of both social and economic disruptions, and a sense of the “new normal” is underway.




    Key Things to Know

What sort of impacts are we expecting?

  • Approximately 650,000 Washingtonians were receiving treatment for behavioral health needs prior to the COVID19 outbreak.
     
  • Approximately 700,000 Washingtonians have mental health concerns, but were NOT receiving services prior to the outbreak.
     
  • Approximately 10% to 33% of individuals experience symptoms of acute stress (such as negative thoughts, sadness, intrusive dreams or memories, avoidance, insomnia or hypersomnia, headaches & stomach aches) within one month after the impact phase of a disaster or critical incident. In Washington, for the Puget Sound area specifically, that timeline begins mid-March 2020.
     
  • While Only 4% to 6% of people typically develop symptoms of PTSD after a disaster (equivalent to 380,000 individuals in Washington), this number can vary quite a bit depending on the type of disaster, and is often higher amongst first responders and medical personnel if the disaster is more chronic, widespread, children are hurt or injured, and burnout is likely.
     
  • Rates of PTSD have been much higher (10-35%) in some places more directly impacted by a critical incident. We are anticipating that although rates of PTSD may not reach such critical levels in Washington State, rates of depression are likely to be much higher (perhaps 30-60% of the general population, which is equivalent to 2.25 million to 4.5 million people in Washington State) due to the chronic and ongoing social and economic disruption in people’s lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a much higher rate than is typical after a ‘natural disaster’ where there is a single impact point in time.
     
  • For Washington State, where mortality rates are so strongly related to nursing homes, and the vast majority of people in the general population have not been directly threatened by the illness itself, behavioral health concerns are much more anchored in changes in lifestyle, fears about the unknown, financial worries, loss of income or livelihood, and loss of connection with others.
     
  • Impact of Unemployment: Suicide rates are highly influenced by unemployment rates.  For every percentage point increase in unemployment rates (i.e., 1%), there is a 1.6% increase in suicide rates. In Washington, approximately 1,283 people die from suicide annually. If unemployment rates increase by 5% (rates similar to the Great Recession in the late 2000’s), that means we will see approximately 103 additional people die by suicide. If unemployment increases by 20% (rates similar to the Great Depression in the 1930’s), that’s approximately 412 additional people who will die by suicide in Washington.
     
  • Approximately half of the individuals who experience a behavioral health diagnosis will develop a substance-related disorder, and vice versa. As a result, we can expect substance-related symptoms and disorders to increase as behavioral health symptoms and disorders increase.
     
  • During disasters, individuals may have difficulty accessing their prescribed medication, which could lead them to seek alternatives. Relatedly, quarantine policies mean that peer support groups for both substance-related disorders and behavioral health disorders are inaccessible via traditional means.
    • Healthcare providers should anticipate an increase in substance-use as a possible disaster reaction, and should suggest both healthy alternatives for coping, and sources of support.
       
  • Based on population data for Washington, and known cycles of common psychological responses to disasters, we can reasonably expect that between TWO to THREE MILLION Washingtonians will experience behavioral health symptoms over the next three to six months. Symptoms of depression will likely be the most common, followed by anxiety and acute stress. These symptoms will likely be strong enough to cause significant distress or impairment for most people in this group.



How do we begin preparing?

  • Behavioral health systems, providers, and public messaging teams should be mindful of the following strategies to maximize the impact of their efforts:
     
    • Primary efforts for the next 3-6 months should be focused on activating community supports to increase social connections (reducing behavioral health symptoms) and encouraging the development of ACTIVE coping skills amongst the general public to reduce symptoms of depression.
       
    • Communication about preparation necessary for multiple phases or waves of pandemic (the potential for additional school closures, social distancing measures, and restrictions in the fall) will help reduce acute behavioral health symptoms for people when a second wave occurs.
       
    • There should be a psychoeducational emphasis on the disaster response cycle so that people are informed about what they may expect, and they do not pathologize a normal response to an abnormal situation.
       
  • The typical response to disaster is RESILIENCE, rather than disorder. Resiliency can be increased by:
    • Focus on developing social CONNECTIONS big or small
    • Reorienting and developing a sense of PURPOSE
    • Becoming adaptive and psychologically FLEXIBLE
    • Focusing on HOPE
       
  • Resilience is something that can be intentionally taught, practiced, and developed for people across all age groups.
     
  • Community support groups, lay volunteers, law enforcement, first responders, and all manner of social organizations and clubs are resources that can be developed to help reduce behavioral health symptoms for the general population, and should be leveraged to take pressure off depleted or unavailable professional medical and therapeutic resources throughout 2020.
 
 


Pierce County Emergency Food System Overview
The emergency food network in Pierce County consists of 82 food pantries, meal sites, and shelters partnered with Emergency Food Network (EFN). EFN’s partners served 1.3 visits in 2019, and average of 114,000 visits per month. EFN distributed 14 million pounds of food in 2019, more than 50% of food in the system. Some of EFN’s Partner Programs procure their own food through purchase or donations while others rely on EFN for 100% of their food.

EFN’s Role
  • Collects food in bulk for region’s food pantries, meal sites, and shelters. EFN distributed 14 million pounds of food in 2019, more than 50% of the food that went out to the network.
    • Donated food comes from grocery stores, farmers, and food drives and nonprofit partners like Northwest Harvest
    • Purchases food by the semi-truckload
    • Brings in government food as the county contractor for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
    • Grows fruits and vegetables at Mother Earth Farm
  • EFN has a larger storage capacity for food than food pantries. Instead of one semi-truck going to one program and overwhelming that site, the load goes to EFN and is divided throughout the region.
  • EFN also provides equity across the county, ensuring that smaller, remote communities with limited resources, like Eatonville, have access to resources that may otherwise stay in Tacoma or Lakewood.
  • EFN also provides Partner Programs with pass-through funding, best-practice guidance, and assistance with equipment resourcing.
Role of Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline
  • Larger, state-wide entities that have a limited scope in Pierce County.
  • Agencies provide some food to Pierce County either directly to sites or distributed through EFN
Covid-19 Response
  • Washington State divided into 3 regions focusing on Covid-19 response
  • Pierce County will fall under Northwest Harvest jurisdiction for response, but EFN will serve as primary resource for the county and will work with Northwest Harvest on a united response to the crisis.
EFN is currently making additional food purchase to increase the amount of food available in Pierce County’s emergency food system as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED

The Pierce County Connected Community Response Committee supports an aligned philanthropic response to COVID-19 in Pierce County.

Through coordinated contacts with organizations in key service sectors, referred to as ‘pods’, real-time on-the-ground information will be compiled and shared through this Daily Report.

The goal of this Daily Report is to provide information that can reduce unnecessary duplication of efforts and surface emerging and urgent needs for rapid response

Daily Report information is intended to support streamlined communications:
  • between nonprofits and community service providers about who is providing help and what needs there are in Pierce County related to COVID-19.
     
  • from the nonprofit sector to individual donors, foundations, and corporations about urgent funding needs to respond to COVID-19.
     
  • from nonprofits and community service providers to government agencies about needs to provide effective and continued services in Pierce County during COVID-19 condition.
     
  • with the philanthropic field about lessons and successes around addressing COVID-19 in Pierce County in an aligned way with the lowest burden possible on nonprofits and service providers.


OVERVIEW:
As the public health response to COVID-19 in Pierce County escalated Friday, March 13, 2020, United Way of Pierce County and Greater Tacoma Community Foundation partnered for an aligned philanthropic response to emerging community needs.

Together, they launched the PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED fund, seeded with $1,750,000 from GTCF. More than 275 individual donors and 50 philanthropic funding partners have joined the effort.

To support shared learning and aligned response efforts across community sectors, including funding partners to the PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED fund, nonprofits, municipal agencies, and community donors and volunteers, the Community Response Committee was established to provide real-time, on-the-ground information from providers about impacts and needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Community Response Committee is informed by the structure and protocols of an Incident Command Structure (ICS). ICS is used across the country by fire, FEMA, and other governmental organizations to streamline resources and communication during emergencies.

The Community Response Committee is organized by priority operational areas – called pods. Starting with Food, Housing, and Child Care for Essential Workers, the pods have expanded to include Behavioral Health and Thriving Communities. Further pods may be added as needed to support the community response to COVID-19.

The PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED Community Response Committee will:
  • Work in the best interest of the Pierce County community and its residents. 
  • Facilitate sector collaboration and communication.
  • Provide a central point of information and communication for the sector.
  • Staff the philanthropy liaison position inside the Emergency Operations Centers to represent the sector with daily updates and information received from the pod leads.
  • Provide Pierce County-specific guidance from pods to funders to help them make informed COVID-19 response funding decisions.
  • Help advocate with government entities for resources and policy decisions.
 
The PIERCE COUNTY CONNECTED Community Response will not:
  • Extend its scope beyond the immediate COVID-19 public health crisis. 
  • Take ownership or responsibility of the service provision. 
     
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Ben B Cheney Foundation · 3110 Ruston Way Ste A · Tacoma, WA 98402-5308 · USA

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