HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/05/2020 04B Draft Support Letter for Yakima Neighborhood Health Services 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 4.B.
For Meeting of: May 5, 2020
ITEM TITLE: Draft support letter for Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
SUBMITTED BY: Alex Meyerhoff, Interim City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the April 21, 2020 City Council meeting, Council member Lund requested that a letter
supporting Yakima Neighborhood Health Services' application to Yakima County for coordinated
entry services be added to the May 5th City Council agenda for review. Attached is a draft
support letter for Council consideration.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Review and approve the letter
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Y sup pcart letter 5/1/2020 r Mery a
2
May 5, 2020
Esther Magasis, Director
Yakima County Human Services Director
128 North 2' Street, Room 231
Yakima, WA 98901
Re: YNHS Proposal for Coordinated Entry
Ms. Magasis,
The Yakima City Council supports Yakima Neighborhood Health Services' (YNHS) application to continue
Coordinated Entry Services in Yakima County.
YNHS has been provided Coordinated Entry services through its Yakima and Sunnyside offices since 2017
when Coordinated Entry was implemented. Their outreach teams have also been effective in taking the
Coordinated Entry services to the streets and shelters when clients were unable or unwilling to come to YNHS
sites.
The comprehensive nature of YNHS' assessment process is particularly effective working with individuals and
families experiencing homelessness, creating opportunities to evaluate additional needs related to medical
care, mental health, food, clothing, employment, legal assistance, benefits, etc.
YNHS also has a proven track record of partnering with organizations like the City, and we are committed to
continue in this collaboration.
We are particularly excited that YNHS wants to place a .5 FTE Coordinated Entry/ Eligibility Specialist onsite
at the Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM). This specialist will be able to meet directly with the short-term
residents of YUGM, capture their needs, and connect them to additional services they may need.
YNHS provides the following services, and more,for persons experiencing homelessness in the city:
a. Participating in numerous community engagement events to provide outreach and services
b. Connecting persons experiencing homelessness to providers of health and medical services, personal
care, shelter, substance abuse treatment and various other community services
c. Conducting regular engagement to persons on Naches Avenue, the Greenway and North 1st
Street regarding substance abuse and mental health services
d. Connecting persons of need to housing, as appropriate and available.
In addition, YNHS has expertise in Coordinated Entry. The City is aware that YUGM has requested assistance
from YNHS so YUGM may start participating in Coordinated Entry. This assistance from YNHS would enable
participation from YUGM in this important state data base.
For these reasons, the Yakima City Council strongly supports this program being sustained moving forward.
Sincerely,
Patricia Byers
Mayor