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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 45 - 08-14-2020 - Hearing Exhibit - KC 01 - Amended Declaration of Daniel MaloneITEM NO. 45 HEX-000556 HEX-000557 HEX-000558 HEX-000559 HEX-000560 HEX-000561 HEX-000562 HEX-000563 HEX-000564 HEX-000565 HEX-000566 ATTACHMENT A Exhibit No. KC001HEX-000567 HEX-000568 HEX-000569 HEX-000570 HEX-000571 HEX-000572 HEX-000573 HEX-000574 To the Councilmembers of King County: The following are written testimonials from DESC staff, all front-line, essential workers, who comprise of Mental Health Professionals, entry-level social service workers, Peer Specialists, advocates, and social workers. Together their message is strong. While they all have their own unique way of expressing it, the theme is clear: people are succeeding in this new shelter space, they are reclaiming their lives, and our county (our community) as a whole is seeing great benefit from this humane approach to addressing homelessness. Here is what the staff of DESC had to say: May 25, 2020 King County Council Members, My name is Nick Dominique and I work as Mental Health Professional (MHP) on the Downtown Emergency Service Center’s Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) Team. I have worked, in some capacity, on the DESC PACT team for the last two and a half years and have been full time since July 2019. I am writing you regarding the success of moving our clients to the Red Lion Hotel from congregate shelter settings, helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 and bring stability back into the lives of our clients. Serving individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, the PACT team strives to increase the time between their hospitalizations and/or being incarcerated and live independently in the community. Many of our unhoused clients tend be more system involved due to a variety of reasons, primarily due to not having a space of their own or forced to stay in congregate shelter settings. Bringing stability back to many of their lives, The Red Lion has allowed many clients have longer periods of time between hospitalizations while making leaps in their recovery process. Since staying at the Red Lion Hotel, one client who is rarely sustains two weeks between hospital stays due to his mental health symptoms, has been out of the hospital for over five weeks and is going strong. Now on one of the longest periods of time out of the hospital in recent memory, my client has been focused on staying med compliant, completing probation reporting requirements, getting housed, and making strides in his recovery. Unfortunately, my client often shares his anxiety about losing his space at the Red Lion and ending up being hospitalized on a regular cycle again. A cycle resulting in poorer health outcomes for my client and increased expenses for the county. The Red Lion Hotel has done much more than prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the unhoused population and King County, it has given our clients stability back to their lives and focus on their recovery. Even without the pandemic, moving people from a congregate setting to the Red Lion, where they have own space, shows a pathway to improving the health and wellbeing of unhoused individuals while also saving the county money by decreasing their involvement more expensive systems of care. Thank you for helping us continue this important work, and for helping the King County residents we serve keep this safe place to stay while we help them maneuver out of homelessness. Sincerely, Nick Dominique, MHP, LICSWA Mental Health Professional DESC PACT Team ATTACHMENT B Exhibit No. KC002HEX-000575 Greetings King County Council, My name is Mia Sypert and I’m a shelter coordinator a DESC. I’ve been working at DESC for 3 years now and I’m writing you to tell you how much happier the clients have been since moving out the congregated shelter setting into the Red Lion Hotel. At first many clients were skeptical with having their own bed and only having to share their space with one other person but once they felt safe they didn’t mind. The biggest change I have witnessed is clients who were so quiet at the shelter now at the Red Lion Hotel speaking and holding conversations with other follow clients. Having the clients stay at the Red Lion Hotel has made them feel safe and secure and as a staff member when clients come up speaking about “how thankful they are “or showing me how they decorated their room. Another positive outcome I have witness is since staying at the Red Lion Hotel majority of the clients have been cleaning up their rooms more and just taking accountability for their actions. I also witness clients behavioral health decreased and more clients have been happier since being here because they have been giving more freedom and also less stress of worrying were they would be sleeping tonight. Since COVID clients have been taking precautions to staying 6 feet away and wearing their masks but also taking time to take care of themselves more. I have also witness a client saying that “this stay at the Red Lion Hotel has motivated him more to find work because he refuses to go back to the shelter setting”. As clients know there stay at Red Lion Hotel might end soon but as staff I reassure them that hopefully there stay doesn’t end too soon. Being at the Red Lion Hotel has given the clients another chance to change their behaviors and gain independent living life skills but most of all the clients have been grateful for this move. Thank you King County for helping us keep the residents we serve safe. Sincerely Mia Sypert My name is Brittany Meek, and my role at DESC is as a Clinical Senior Manage. I’ve worked at DESC for coming up on 4 years now. I am writing today to tell you what I’ve witnessed since moving people from the congregate shelter setting, to the Red Lion hotel. From just a quick glance, individuals are a lot more spread out. I've seen folks exercising proper distancing, when previously in the shelter it made that life-saving task seem borderline impossible. Some of our long term shelter stayers are almost unrecognizable; it is like night a day. I have seen folks smiling, making eye contact and exchanging pleasantries. When you walk on site at the Red Lion, the environment simply feels welcoming. Clients are outside joking to hold the door open for you (when they are automatic doors) and asking you how your day is. It is like for the first time in a long time these folks can see past 6 inches in front of them/ their need to survive and are meaningfully interacting with others. There is a sense of safety and security. Normally you will see folks carrying their lives and the weight of the world on their shoulders. Now, folks can come down to get a tooth brush without all their belongings. In one of our clinical programs, we were able to complete an intake for one of our long term clients to get into her choice of Adult Family Home. Previously, chaotic environments made it difficult to connect DSHS and this client. This past week we watched her graduate the program and sent her on her way to her new home. Our ability to coordinate care across multiple service providers, while also utilizing Telehealth have made doctor appointments and care plans more successful than ever before. Having a stable, safe environment. It is amazing how much can change with walls and a door and what a stable, safe environment can quickly bring. Thank you for helping us continue this important work, and for helping the King County residents we serve keep this safe place to stay while we help them maneuver out of homelessness. Brittany Jo Meek, LMHC, MHP Clinical Programs Entry Services Manager HEX-000576 My name is Taylor Carlson, I’m a Shelter Case Manager and I've been working for DESC for just over 1 year. I'm writing to inform you about the dramatic personal transformations I've seen since the DESC Main Shelter moved into the Red Lion in Renton. The client's that have made the mood to the Red Lion have had dramatic transformations. One of the most humbling transformations has been the effect that having their own room has had on the clients. People that haven't had a private shower in years finally have a safe and comfortable place where they can bathe in peace, turning folks from publicly shunned pariahs into regular socialites . Folks that never had a moments peace in the shelter have had time to themselves, drastically improving their mental health which, in turn, has improved both their behaviors and the public environment. Folks with chronic health problems have easy access to nurses and can isolate to stay safe from COVID-19 in ways that would frankly be impossible to do in the shelter. For the sake of people's lives and public health I urge you to extend DESC's stay at the Red Lion. Thank you for your time. Best, Taylor Carlson Shelter Case Manager DESC Good afternoon, My name is Sasha Pollock. I serve as a certified peer specialist at the 216 Drop In center at DESC. I have been working at the Drop In center for 20 months. I am writing you today to tell you the difference it has made for our clients since moving them from the congregate shelter setting to the Red Lion Hotel in Renton. Generally, our Drop In serves anywhere from 75-90 clients daily when we operate as a full drop in center. Since COVID-19, we have modified our services to “Drop By” services, only serving seven clients maximum in the physical space throughout the service hours (10:30 AM- 12:30 PM). Before moving clients to the Red Lion Hotel, we served around the same number of clients outside the 216 office as we did inside, plus some from the street. It was crowded and there was a lack of social distance availability due to the small space. Since the moving clients to the Red Lion, there has been a drastic decrease in the number of clients standing, crowded and huddled outside. The numbers have gone from 75 clients to less than 30. This has made physical distancing more manageable and easier to monitor. Clients are less agitated with each other and staff, less aggressive. Clients have been able to learn and develop an understanding of the seriousness of COVID and have been much more receptive to staff suggestions of keeping 6 feet in distance, practicing good hygiene habits and wearing masks covering both their noses and mouths. Having this kind of shelter available to our clients has been extremely beneficial to not only our clients; the staff and the community in Pioneer Square. It allows for our clients to isolate themselves in more contained, safe spaces with a lesser chance of becoming exposed. Thank you for helping us here at DESC continue to do our work. Thank you for understanding the importance of our work and for helping the community of King County that we get to serve, safe. The Red Lion has been one of the most effective ways to keep everyone safe while we help them and work with them out of homelessness. Truly, Sasha Pollock My name is Nikki Yeater and I work for DESC’s Mobile Crisis Team (outreach case manager). I’ve worked here for 4 years. I am writing today to tell you what I’ve witnessed since moving people from the congregate shelter setting to the Red Lion hotel. HEX-000577 In my four years of outreaching citizens of King County in crisis, I have encountered a variety of people experiencing homelessness, many of whom are now utilizing the Red Lion Hotel. I have been stationed out of the Red Lion to work with our MCT South team several times in recent months. I have been astonished to see individuals, who I have personally witnessed struggle for years, doing so incredibly well in this new setting. The stability of the building and the functioning of the shelter programs within has exceeded all expectations. I can point to at least 20 clients, if not more, who I know well, currently living at the Red Lion. They have told me that they feel safe, that they are accomplishing goals for housing (despite the limits of access to resources during COVID), mental health care, medication management, and re-learning what it takes to function in a housing structure after years of chronic homelessness. Their health is better, their substance use decreased, and their engagement with providers and staff there has increased. Many of the people who are staying there are incredibly medically fragile. I know many individuals at Red Lion who are dealing with various immunocompromised conditions (e.g. COPD, HIV, kidney disease, diabetes, and more). The Red Lion has provided these individuals opportunity to remain distanced and safe from contracting COVID-19. In addition, several of these people’s conditions appear to have improved with access to proper rest in a bed and showers/sinks to promote better hygiene. Furthermore, I believe that a great deal of our most vulnerable clients (some of whom are elderly, developmentally different, or experiencing cognitive/memory issues) are safer due to the opportunity to be at the Red Lion. In addition, shelter staff have been able to address safety and protection of vulnerable clients from predatory persons. They are strongly upholding the good neighbor contract, barring guests who violate it immediately, and reviewing the circumstances with the client and supervisors present. This helps to promote understanding and changes behavior (we call this BRC). On MCT, I see people in their worst moments- at their largest crises. Many of these guests of Red Lion I have seen time and time again in unfortunate situations as a result of medical, mental health, and housing needs. From what I have observed, these clients are accessing support and safety that is life changing, and amidst a public health emergency, life saving. I can find no sound reasoning to remove DESC guests from the Red Lion; it would be nothing short of unethical and inhumane to return to congregate shelter settings during a time when such settings are deemed a public health hazard. I urge you, please, do not return your citizens, your neighbors, and some of the most medically fragile and vulnerable people to danger. My name is Shanee Colston and my role at DESC is as a Behavioral Health Case Manager. I have worked for DESC for 5 years. I am writing today to tell you what I’ve witnessed since moving people from the congregate shelter setting, to the Red Lion hotel. It has been my observation that this has highly increased my clients our most vulnerable community members safety from risks of COVID -19 There have been improvements I've witnessed in the behavioral health symptoms of clients such as being able to make meetings, eating healthy and regularly and decreased symptoms of thier current challenges HEX-000578 There has also been improvements I’ve witnessed to medical conditions actually having time to be treated properly and or having access to care that they normally would not be receiving if it were a shelter situational environment. Thank you. My name is: LaDonna White My role at DESC is as a: Shelter supervisor swing shift I’ve worked there for: 2.75 years I am writing today to tell you what I’ve witnessed since moving people from the congregate shelter setting, to the Red Lion hotel. Since clients have moved from the main shelter to RL I have noticed less arguing and fights among clients. clients seem to be more responsible, for example, using their EBT cards for the intended purpose rather than selling them, buying clothes, grocery shopping, and planning day trips. Many of them seem to have more confidence and hope, they appear to feel like a member of the community. They talk about applying for jobs, purchasing cars, and reconnecting with family members. On the street, social distancing is very difficult. People who are homeless have little choice but to congregate for safety; for shelter; and to share information, food, and console one another. Those who have untreated addictions often use substances together. Preventing the spread of Covid-19 among people who live on the street is even more difficult. They have inadequate access to basic hygiene facilities. Now that many restaurants are closing their dining rooms, they are also closing access to bathrooms and sinks. Too few hand sanitizing stations (with dwindling supplies of sanitizer) are available to allow adequate disinfecting. Now that RL has opened their doors we have the opportunity and the environment is conducive to training clients on how to transition from shelter life to a stable lifestyle. Regards, LaDonna White DESC Shelter Supervisor My name is Natasha and I work with the Mobile Crisis Team for approximately 6 months, and prior worked as Peer at the Crisis Diversion Facility for 2 years. I am writing today to tell you what I’ve witnessed since moving people from the congregate shelter setting, to the Red Lion hotel. Our Mobile Crisis South Team has been stationed at the Red lion as a presence for de-escalation and crisis prevention on site. I was initially anticipating that there would be some transitional issues and potentially a litany of crises to deescalate. While stationed there, it was very evident how calm, quiet and soothing the general environment was as opposed to the more chaotic, loud, and at times unsettling of the Main Shelter location on 3rd Avenue. My initial impression was amplified by the clients, some of them I had previously worked closely with, were flourishing under these new conditions at the Red Lion. One client who I had worked with closely, who grappled with difficulties of substance use and depression from complex trauma, was now in a space where he has significantly cut down his use and is more committed than ever to work on long term goals such as housing and connection to MH services. In my history of knowing him, he had such difficulties making such connections staying at the Main Shelter, wherein drugs were more readily available, inadequate spacing between individuals, and constant threats to his belongings elevating the real sense of constantly being vigilant for safety purposes. The whole idea of providing clients with basic needs as their own personal bed, shower and adequate space so that they can then address bigger issues such as their mental and physical health has proven once again to be true in the case of the Red Lion. In terms of overall cleanliness and public health standards, Red Lion has allowed the opportunity to maintain this standard that has in turn kept client's safer and feeling cared for. In terms of a macro-level, the physical and mental health betterment of the clientele is decreasing hospital visits and SPD presence which costs the County inordinate amounts of money and exhausts resources. The fact that the in only a matter of months we are seeing such vast changes could only accelerate this positive progress if given an extension to the Red Lion. I fear that if HEX-000579 these clients become transitioned back to these inhumane conditions that we will have a larger problem on our hands. Seattle is paving the way to treat individuals experiencing homelessness as human beings, and we should continue moving forward to set an example to other cities. Thanks so much, Natasha My name is Judith Moab, I"m a Shelter Case Manager and I've been working for DESC for 7 months. I'd like to start by thanking King County for recognizing earlier that the population we work with is high risk and took action immediately to slow down the spread of covid. And it is my strong believe that this is one of the reasons why we have had low numbers in infections with the population we serve. Other benefits that have come with this move, that were not expected is that our clients are feeling empowered again, they are able to meet their ADL's, we have less calls to emergency responders, clients with chronic health problem have access to medical professionals instead of going to emergency rooms, clients volunteer to help around as they are taking pride in the space they are in. One statement that sticks out to me is that one client said ," I feel like a human again, after moving from shelter to shelter and sometimes sleeping outside like an animal". I plead that we should not let our guard down with the tremendous work that the county has done so far to curve the spread of covid 19. There is another second wave coming and if we were to go back to the dorm setting one thing is that it will be hard to track clients down if they test positive for COVID. They are members of our society who frequent same places that we do and if we have a breakout that means the community stands at high risk as well. It is a fallacy, if anyone thinks that sending clients back to mass confined spaces will not have an effect with numbers of covid 19. CDC has recommended social distancing and isolation if possible which is happening right now with access to Red-Lion. A great quote said, progress through trial and error depends not only on making trials, but on recognizing errors. It would be an error to go back to congregate settings, hence why I am advocating for the extension of Red-Lion space. Thank you. Judith Moab Shelter Case Manager DESC Shelter Program: I haven't worked at or been to the RedLion, but plenty of clients of the CSC have been referred there, so I want to add some testimony to the mix: At the Crisis Solutions Center, I have seen dozens of clients, earnestly struggling within the context of their mental illness and substance use, and scared for their lives. Most of them already accept regular assault, or property theft as a part of every day life without adequate housing. In the context of this pandemic, their lack of control over who comes close to them has grown from a problem that perpetuates their struggle, to one that threatens to end their life. The current stay at home order has made shelter for these vulnerable people more scarce. Healthier clients make plans to sleep in tents, avoid city sweeps and dangerous encampments, and try to fly by under the radar to wait out the pandemic. With the scarcity of beds, I have only seen the most vulnerable find dearly needed space at the RedLion shelter. These are elders, 70+ years old, or people with active plans and means to end their lives. These are poets and illustrators and parents and grandparents. These are people with compromised immune systems, or mental health conditions so severe that they can't advocate for their own food or medical needs. These are veterans and retirees, people who have upheld the community at other times of their life, and people who need shelter and space now. Without the RedLion shelter, and expansions of similar programs, we will continue to let these people die without the choice to protect themselves from this unprecedented disease. Please extend this vital service, and create more opportunities like it. Please advocate for our vulnerable people, the way you would advocate for your tenderest loved ones. Carve out space for them, like you carve out space in your daily HEX-000580 routine for relaxation, or art or exploration. Our tenderness is all tied together. By promoting them, you promote the most vulnerable, and valuable aspects of yourself as well. With Urgency, C. Axel Stanovsky Behavioral Health Case Manager DESC's Crisis Solutions Center, CDIS Hi my name is Heather McDuff I have been a shelter coordinator at DESC for nearly six months now. I am writing today to tell you about some of the amazing things I've witnessed since moving from the congregate main shelter to the Red Lion Hotel. I've seen clients become aware of social distancing and even encourage other clients with gentle reminders. I've seen hygiene improved by leaps and bounds which I have no doubt helps against the spread of covid. One client especially brings me joy, at the main shelter she never showered and was frequently wearing clothing covered in urine stains she insisted on wearing a wig that had become infested with body lice, she barely spoke. Since her arrival at the Red Lion her hygiene has become a priority she no longer wears a wig she says good morning to me every day she cleans her room and I see her checking up on other clients this is a client before that I could barely get an "okay" out of. This transformation is only one of many but most notable to me because it was so drastic and immediate. Everyday at the Red Lion I'm given opportunities to see growth in people that for the most part remain stagnant in a congregate shelter setting. I am grateful for the opportunity this has provided to prevent sickness and improve on our clients lives. Thank you all for taking the time to read what our staff are witnessing. We appreciate your consideration to extend our lease at the Red Lion and look forward to partnering with you all in the future. Sincerely, The Employees of DESC HEX-000581 ATTACHMENT C Exhibit No. KC003HEX-000582 HEX-000583 HEX-000584 Imagery ©2020 Maxar Technologies, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA Farm Service Agency, Map data ©2020 500 ft Page 1of1GoogleMaps 8/5/2020https://www.google.com/maps/@47.4699895,-122.2178044,1003m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en ATTACHMENT D Exhibit No. KC0004HEX-000585