An Office of Human Resources was established in 1971 in the Executive Department to develop, implement, and manage social services for low-income and disadvantaged residents of Seattle. In 1973 it was replaced by the Department of Human Resources. DHR administered family and youth services programs, senior citizen services, community service activities, the Seattle Veterans Action Center, and the Comprehensive Residential Weatherization Program. Federal, state, and local grants comprised two-thirds of the department's operating budget. Passage of the 1986 Low Income Housing Levy increased the City's funding and policy role in housing issues. In 1991, the agency name was changed to the Department of Human Services. A year later, the Department of Housing and Human Services was created, incorporating the City housing programs and Community Development Block Grant administration from the recently abolished Department of Community Development. DHHS programs included aging services, family and youth services, housing and community services, human services, and the City's education office. In 1999, the Office of Housing was established as an independent agency and DHHS was reorganized as the Human Services Department.
Reinvesting in Youth was a King County partnership between local governments, foundations, and community representatives. Its aim was to reduce juvenile crime, which disproportionately affected youth of color. Based on studies showing that early intervention was more effective and significantly less expensive than incarceration, the program aimed to promote the health of youth and families, increase the capacity of community based organizations that served at-risk youth, prevent juvenile involvement in the justice system, and save public monies.
The records are organized into three subseries:
Program Information - general information about the program, including work plans, financial information, and committee meeting materials.
Agreements and Applications - agreements with other governmental entities as well as applications and agreements from community based organizations participating in the program.
Reports - cultural competency reports written about the participating community based organizations, including both assessments and action plans. Assessments were completed by a consultant and included feedback from site visits, interviews, and surveys.
Records are open to the public.
[Item and date], Reinvesting in Youth Records, Record Series 3620-06. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.
A