Advocate: Everyone is a champion for change
Public Policy
Public Policy is a significant catalyst for change. It directs funding toward important community health and human service needs that compliment the ongoing fundraising and investment efforts of United Way of Snohomish County. A committee of United Way of Snohomish County volunteers and staff develop an annual public policy/legislative agenda to provide guidance on a variety of local, state and federal policy issues that sustain the work for our three vision councils (see below). We will provide information to legislators and to the public in an effort to increase understanding and awareness of the impact of policy
and budget decisions on health and human services in our community.
United Way of Snohomish County’s 2012 Board-Approved Public Policy Agenda
Washington state has a long history of quality health and human services. The foundation of a robust funding structure that supports health and human services is a vibrant, growing economy that creates new jobs. Maintaining a strong business climate with good jobs for working families stabilizes our economic environment and generates the revenues necessary to fund human services.
United Way of Snohomish County is uniquely positioned to link business, philanthropy and human services to transform our community and improve people’s lives in Snohomish County. We believe everyone deserves a strong, inclusive community that celebrates diversity, provides access to vital resources and promotes civic involvement for all ages. It is critical to maintain safety net programs, housing, food and nutrition, basic health care, behavioral services, basic life skills services and services that promote financial capability. For life-long success, education and resources that encourage the development of healthy physical, social/emotional, academic and psychological behaviors for children and youth are necessary.
Successful Kids: Support opportunities that allow children and youth to enter school ready to learn, succeed while in school and graduate on-time
Education is essential for a better life and a stronger community. Our goal is to ensure our children enter school ready to learn, succeed while in school and graduate on time. Quality care helps children and youth achieve their potential. Quality subsidized programs allow working low-income families to remain in the workforce while their children are in quality care programs.
Support for Seniors: Maintain funding to support services such as information & assistance, transportation, nutrition caregiver support and other local services for seniors
The Senior Citizens Services Act (SCSA), passed by the legislature in 1977, was designed to build a system of community-based services to help seniors stay in their home and avoid more costly institutional care. SCSA serves more than 300,000 individuals annually. This service is especially helpful for seniors not eligible for Medicaid to learn of options in the community.
Healthcare Coverage: Maintain important health insurance options such as
Basic Health and Children's Health
About one in nine Washingtonians is without health insurance. In Snohomish County 15 percent of the population is without health insurance and 23 percent of the population has not seen a doctor in two years. Even those with health insurance often cannot afford costly co-pays, of those with insurance in Snohomish County 16 percent could not afford the needed care.