VSHSL Human Services Workforce Stabilization (FS 6) is sponsored by King County, Washington (Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy - VSHSL). Funds may be used to support staff across an organization through related expenses including, but not limited to: increased wages, improved benefits, reduced cost of living such as housing, education, childcare subsidies or health insurance coverage, and professional development…

Cultivating Connections: New VSHSL funding opportunity: Human Services Workforce Stabilization (FS 6) May 30, 2025 Carley Thompson Department of Community and Human Services New VSHSL funding opportunity: Human Services Workforce Stabilization (FS 6) A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to improve staff recruitment and retention within eligible organizations with active VSHSL awards who are currently providing human services in King County.

We know that human services employees do some of the most vital work in our communities. Unfortunately, years of underinvestment in the human services workforce impacts programs, services, and the overall sector. Compounding challenges, such as employee turnover and persistent hard-to-fill vacancies, continue to impact the nonprofit sector and limit our ability to quickly respond to community needs.

Results from numerous nonprofit surveys show underinvestment in human services and a lack of sustainable wages in the nonprofit sector. The survey results reinforce the need for solutions that increase salaries and improve benefits and other supports.

​​​ This investment anticipates providers will implement a diverse array of workforce stabilization programs that match variations in funding sources, programming, and organizational structures. For example, the needs of smaller organizations with fewer programs and funding sources will vary from those of larger organizations with many programs funded with different contract requirements.

While a small organization may struggle to provide affordable health care benefits for its employees, a larger organization may be challenged to simultaneously increase employee wages across an organization that relies on a mix of VSHSL, Medicaid, state, or other local funding sources and grants for its contracts.

Funds may be used to support staff across an organization through related expenses including, but not limited to: Reduced cost of living such as housing, education, childcare subsidies or health insurance coverage Professional development and other training to improve service quality and staff wellness. ​Eligibility: This Request for Applications (RFA) is open to eligible organizations that are funded by the VSHSL.

Please see the full list of eligible organizations in the ZoomGrants library, Attachment H . At least 25 percent of the funds allocated to this investment will support the workforce of agencies in King County delivering Housing Stability strategies. Eligible Applicants must meet the following qualifications: ​​Currently receiving VSHSL funds directly or via County Memorandum of Agreement partners.

​ Must have at least 12 months remaining on current contract. If impacted staff are members of a labor union, please include a letter of support from the union for any wage boost requests. Submit a complete and timely application within the scope of work of this RFA.

Funded entities must demonstrate that their programs will support one or more of these goals: ​​​Improve staff recruitment within their organization​​. Improve staff retention within their organization​. Improve workforce sustainability and growth.

Available funding : Up to $25,915,477 in Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy funds Investment period : ​​October 1, 2025​ – ​December 31, 2026 (subject to change) Questions : Contact Jessamyn Findlay at jfindlay@kingcounty. gov Applications due : ​​ July 18, 2025 ​by 2:00pm Pacific Time If you are eligible, apply now!

Join the information session to learn more about the funding opportunity A virtual information session to discuss questions related to this RFA will be held on June 12, 2025, ​3:00 – ​4:30pm. Meeting ID: 278 659 981 401 9 +1 425-653-6586,,211058213# United States, Bellevue Phone conference ID: 211 058 213# ​Join on a video conferencing device Tenant key: kcsc@m. webex.

com Video ID: 114 815 094 2 ​ The information session will be recorded and posted here . ​ This will be a remote session with speech to text captioning provided. For accommodations to participate, please contact Jessamyn Findlay by June 5, 2025.

The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), administered by the King County Department of Community and Human Services Adult Services Division, promotes healthy living, financial stability, social engagement, housing stability and service system access for veterans, seniors, and resilient communities.

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