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Snohomish County Business Recovery-Youth, Family & Seniors

Posted on: September 13, 2022

Snohomish County Invests $1.8 Million of Pandemic Recovery Dollars

Contact: 

Kelsey Nyland

Communications Director, Office of Recovery & Resilience

Kelsey.Nyland@snoco.org 

425-407-3071


Snohomish County Invests $1.8 Million of Pandemic Recovery Dollars to Provide System Navigation and Financial Support to Youth and Families 

In-Person Resource Hubs Have Helped More Than 1,700 Individuals With Services Ranging From Financial Assistance, Public Benefit Navigation, and Employment Connections


Snohomish County, Wash., September 13, 2022 – Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers today announced the County’s $1.8 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investment to support youth and family resource hubs. The County invests in eight brick-and-mortar resource hubs, including a mix of certified Family Resource Centers. In 2022, these hubs have helped more than 1,700 individuals with services ranging from financial assistance to public benefit system navigation, to employment connections. 


“The pandemic has been very challenging for working families across our county, which means the need for supportive services skyrocketed,” said Executive Somers. “That’s why we’re investing our federal recovery dollars in these youth and family resource hubs. They provide opportunities for families to receive face-to-face, personal assistance from a provider who is focused on helping meet their needs.”


The youth and family resource hubs provide in-person, high-quality services to individuals and families who are at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Services provided have a specific focus on mitigating socio-economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 


In the first six months of 2022, the eight funded hubs have served more than 1,700 individuals from nearly 570 unique households. Of these households, 74 percent were at or below 30 percent AMI (income under $38,800 for a family of four), 23 percent identified as families of color, and 26 percent identified as Hispanic or Latino. 


“Families need reliable supportive services to return to work, and I’m hearing weekly from parents who are struggling to find and pay for childcare. Investing in resource hubs will increase opportunities for families to meet their needs and reduce the socio-economic harm caused by the pandemic,” said Council Chair Megan Dunn (District 2). 


“Families and workers bore some of the most significant impacts from the COVID economic shutdowns and navigating available support services can be difficult,” said Councilmember Nate Nehring (District 1). “These programs will help connect these families and displaced workers with the resources they need to get back on their feet.”


“In our rural communities, where resources are scarce, our youth and family resource hubs provide vital services to our residents. It is vital that we as a county recognize these needs and address them accordingly which is why I am proudly in support of this investment,” said Councilmember Sam Low (District 5). 


The youth and family resource hubs are operated by community-based organizations uniquely designed to respond to the local needs of the communities they serve. They provide a critical point of contact to help individuals and families address their immediate needs while also building community connections to additional local services. The Community Foundation of Snohomish County continues to be instrumental in the capacity-building and sustainability of these services by providing technical assistance, leadership for a collective approach, and advocacy for additional funding. 


The County-invested hubs serve youth and families across all five County Council districts. The County contracts with the following organizations to operate these hubs: 

  • ChildStrive
  • Community Resource Center of Stanwood-Camano
  • Take the Next Step
  • Cocoon House
  • YWCA of Snohomish County
  • North Counties Family Services
  • Volunteers of America Western Washington (Arlington and Sky Valley)


“Our organization has been working to create an inclusive and thriving community for three decades. This Family Support Program is absolutely central to our core mission and values. This funding from Snohomish County helps us provide families with individual supports, skill-building, and resources for our Stanwood-Camano communities at no cost,” said Mary Bredereck, Executive Director, Community Resource Center of Stanwood-Camano. 


Executive Somers established the Office of Recovery & Resilience to guide the County’s recovery work by ensuring federal pandemic relief is administered quickly, effectively, and equitably. Information on the County’s recovery work can be found at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/recovery.



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