Winter Assistance for the Holiday Season

Dear friends and neighbors,

As we celebrate the festive season, I wanted to share some valuable resources that can make a difference in your household. The holidays are a time for warmth, connection, and supporting one another, and it’s crucial that everyone in our community has access to the nourishment, utility assistance, and mental healthcare that they need.

Access to Assistance Programs in Washington

In Washington, nearly 700,000 people experience the challenge of not having enough food for their households. Last session, we worked hard to address this issue. Recognizing the gaps left by reduced federal funding, we took steps to make a positive impact. We expanded free school meals, reaching an additional 90,000 students, and removed barriers for college students to access essential needs such as food, water, housing, and childcare.

Our commitment extended to a $95 million investment in food assistance programs, $81 million for refugee supports, and $44 million to boost Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other cash assistance programs. Moreover, we allocated $19 million in TANF for diaper subsidies. These efforts represent significant strides, but there’s more on the horizon for us to achieve next session.

I am a member of the House Food Fighters caucus.  We will be working together to increase statewide foodbank assistance by $15million and an additional $15million for food assistance to  seniors.

In the meantime, if you or your family could benefit from any of these food or cash assistance programs, I’ve included more information below. Remember, we’re a community, and supporting one another is what makes us strong. Wishing you a warm and joyous holiday season.

• To learn more about temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) click here.
• To learn more about food assistance (called Basic Food in Washington, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) click here.
• To apply for either/both TANF or Basic Food, or other state assistance programs, click here.
• The Community Action Council: https://caclmt.org/water-assistance/

Warmth for Winter 

Mental Health Resources for Our Community

Our community has shown an incredible amount of resilience over the last few years. At the same time, statewide challenges have revealed shortfalls and gaps in our behavioral health system. My colleagues and I passed legislation to coordinate 911 calls with the new 988 behavioral health emergency system. Intervention at the right time, by the right person, may prevent suicide or calm a crisis. When someone is in immediate danger, dialing 988 offers immediate support. This system was implemented last year, allowing folks to call 988 to connect to crisis services, suicide prevention resources, and mental health professionals as needed.

The 988 mental health crisis line is saving lives. The 988 helpline registered 154,585 more calls, texts and chat messages during November 2022 compared to the old national lifeline in November 2021, according to the latest data available.

Here are some other free resources recommended by local health experts if you or someone that you know needs some support:

• The Crisis Text Line provides confidential and secure text access from anywhere in the U.S. to a trained crisis counselor. Text HOME to 741741.
• Teen Link offers confidential support from trained volunteers to teens about any issue, no matter how big or small, in English and Spanish. Call or text 866-833-6546
• National Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

A Visit to Total Reclaim and Legislative Strides for a Greener Washington

I’m excited to share my recent visit to Total Reclaim, a Washington-based company leading the charge in responsible waste management. Since 1991, they’ve been decommissioning appliances, recycling metals, and reclaiming refrigerant gases, aligning with our state’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Total Reclaim’s dedication to innovation and sustainability mirrors Washington state’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible recycling initiatives.

Last session, we established responsible environmental management of batteries, addressed plastic pollution by phasing out mini toiletries’ packaging in hotels, and evaluated compostable product usage across Washington, striving for a statewide policy to boost food waste recycling.

Despite not passing last year, the WRAP Act and the Bottle Bill will continue to be a priority for the 2024 session, focusing on product stewardship, recycling targets, and a comprehensive approach to solid waste management.

These legislative efforts align with our ongoing mission to create a greener, more sustainable Washington, and I’m excited about the positive impact they will have on our state’s environmental future.

Young Voices & Sustainable Solutions

I had the pleasure of meeting with a group of inspiring young people, including members of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), a nonpartisan body dedicated to amplifying the voices of Washington state’s youth. LYAC, composed of diverse students aged 14-18, actively engages with communities, promoting civic engagement and ensuring that the concerns and opinions of our youth are considered by the legislature.

I also attended a community solar ribbon-cutting event at Marshall Middle School, emphasizing the importance of sustainable initiatives. This ties into our broader efforts to support community solar programs, recognizing that solar is not just a climate solution, but also a vehicle for economic justice.

I’m also thrilled to share a recent visit to Pleasant Glade Elementary School on December 7th, where I had the pleasure of meeting dedicated individuals like Matthew Landers, a fifth-grade teacher deeply committed to environmental stewardship. Matthew reached out to express his excitement about our work on House Bill 1799 and his anticipation of future collaboration on the WRAP ACT this session. At Pleasant Glade Elementary, Matthew and his students have been actively working to reduce food waste, showcasing commendable initiatives such as transitioning to durable utensils, composting over 3,500 pounds of food last year, and implementing a successful food share program. Their efforts extend beyond the school walls, as they collaborate with Thurston County Public Waste to develop a pilot composting program for the entire county. I’m inspired by their dedication to making a positive impact on our community. Attached is a delightful photo from my visit with Matthew and his students, and I look forward to further discussions on their successes and challenges in waste reduction. Thank you for your commitment to creating a sustainable future.