HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-2026 Minutes Human Services Committee
Regular Meeting
CITY OF * August 24, 2026 - 4:00 PM
ArJJ3TJJp,J 1 East Main Street
Annex Conference Rm 1
WAS H I NGTON 2nd Floor
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Carmen Goers called the meeting to order at 4:06 PM.
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present: Chairperson Carmen Goers, David Wright, Erica Tomas,
Heather Wise, Amber Lott
Committee Members absent: Ashley Mayers
Committee Members unexcused absent: N/A
Staff present: Human Services Director Jody Davison, Drew Conley, Christina
Alexander
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
No Agenda modifications were made.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Taelor Fry from Catholic Community Services at Katherine and Rita's house spoke to
the Committee for three minutes about the program.
Public Participation 4:08-4:11.
COMMUNICATION RECEIVED
A. Taelor Fry from Catholic Community Services Katherine and Rita's House
presented a flyer with information on the services provided at Katherine and
Rita's House.
B. A letter from The Lighthouse For The Blind was read to the Committee by
Chairman Carmen Goers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Discussion and approval of the August 10, 2026, Human Services Committee
meeting minutes.
Motion to move by Committee Member Amber Lott
Seconded by Committee Member David Wright
Motion carried
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. The Committee discussed and reviewed the scored Tier 1 Homelessness and
Housing Stability applications.
Motion to review all Tier 1 Housing, Homelessness and Stability applications above
80%.
Motion by Committee Member Erica Tomas.
Seconded by Committee Member Amber Lott
Motion carried
B. The Committee discussed and reviewed all scored Tier 1 Basic Needs, Job
Training and Education applications.
The Committee discussed applications and possible funding amounts.
SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS
A. Special meeting of the Human Services Committee on September 2, 2026, at
3:30 PM.
B. The next regularly scheduled Human Services Committee meeting will be held
on September 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Human Services Committee, the
meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
APPROVED this d day of --e-. , 2026.
w 6 irectdr v ..im.._
Human Services Chair, Carmen Goers D of Human Services, Jody Davison
Paae 5 of 5
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES
Catholic Community
Services Women's
Transitional Housing
We believe...
Katherine's House and
...in every child growing up in a safe,
Rita s House Mission loving and nurturing environment. KATH IH.RINE S
...in elders living in security and dignity. HOUSE AND
To provide quality transitional
...in healthy family life being affirmed and 1�1TA�S HOUSE
supported in our communities.
housing services to homeless,
...in every person having the right to a safe,
affordable place to call home.
chemically addicted women
...in compassion, love and respect for all people,
especially those who are poor and vulnerable.
while supporting their recovery SupportingRecovey Nurturing Potential
...in joining with others to change the systems
which oppress, discriminate or otherwise cause
and nurturing their potential. human suffering.
...in employees and volunteers working in
an environment which offers respect,
teamwork and excellence.
...in all these things for all people, whatever their
color, whatever language they speak or however
they worship.
`ss
41
CREATJ�e Catholic
www.usww.org United COMMUNITY
Way 0 services
rrr r�r
uniteaw.ronungwunry OF KING COUNTY
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
August 24, 2026
Auburn Human Services Committee
1 E Main Street
Auburn,WA 98002
Dear Honorable Committee Members,
The Lighthouse for the Blind,Inc.appreciates the opportunity to submit comments regarding its 2027-
2028 Human Services Funding Collaborative application in support of the Low Vision Services(LVS)
program.
Established in 2020,the LVS program offers individuals with low vision access to the skills,resources,
and confidence to remain independent and in their homes. The program offers specialized vision exams,
rehabilitation,and in-home independent living training that enhance self-sufficiency.
. The number of people with visual impairment in the U.S.is projected to double by 2050,and low vision
is a leading type of visual impairment that cannot be corrected through treatment.Despite this growth,
vision rehabilitation remains limited in King County,and in 2019, Sight Connection,a local provider
reaching 1,200 people annually,closed after more than 50 years.
In Auburn,over 2,400 people have visual impairment.Low vision has a significant effect on people's
activities of daily living,including their ability to adapt to their home environments. Research shows that
up to 85%of people with vision loss may not be receiving rehabilitation services.One barrier is that 20%
of people with low vision have difficulty accessing care.There is a correlation between housing
instability and vision loss,and a high rate of people with visual impairment reside in nursing homes.
The LVS program helps individuals with low vision better understand their eye conditions,develop
strategies for daily living,utilize tools and technologies,maximize their remaining vision,and maintain
independence in their own homes.Last year,98%of LVS clients demonstrated improved use of
remaining usable vision and/or independent living skills.
Today,the Lighthouse is one of the only providers of secondary low vision care in Washington. To
continue advancing this work,we recently added staff to increase the program's capacity and are proud to
offer services to empower the Auburn community.
Please contact us for further information.
Sincerely,
Shawn Dobbs
Senior Vice President of Administration and Communications
Kathryn Wiegel
Senior Director of Philanthropy
*Works cited available upon request
2501 South Plum Street • Seattle,WA 98144-4711 • Voice:(206)322-4200
Toll Free:(800)914-7307 • TTY:(206)324-1388 • LHBlind.org