Regional Human Services Levy Oversight Board

Department of Community and Human Services
Chinook Building
401 5th Ave, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98104

e-mail us
Phone:  206-263-9100
Fax:   206-296-5260
TTY:   711 Relay Service

Jackie MacLean, Director

Sherry Hamilton, Communications Manager

Regional Human Services Levy Oversight Board

County regional human services in action

The King County Regional Human Services Levy Oversight Board (RHSLOB) monitors and reviews the expenditure of the regional human services portion of levy proceeds in accordance with an adopted Service Improvement Plan, which guides the activities of the King County Veterans and Human Services Levy. Specific duties include:

Becoming familiar with the Service Improvement Plan

Reviewing funding proposals

Assuring that funding plans follow guidelines in the Service Improvement Plan

Providing recommendations about the expenditure of the regional human services portion of levy proceeds

Providing recommendations and reports to the County Council as required

Providing recommendations to the County Council on the issue of a levy renewal or replacement proposition prior to 2011

Board Composition

This 12-member citizen oversight board is comprised of residents of King County with a diverse, balanced representation of people from different groups, organizations, and experiences. Members may not be elected or appointed officials of any unit of government. Nine of the members are chosen to represent county council districts and the remaining three are at-large members nominated by the King County Executive. The Executive's nominees are at-large representatives who are low-income themselves, represent an organization comprised of low-income people, or have special experience with issues related to poverty. In addition, the executive's nominees come from three geographic areas of King County (South, East, and Seattle/North). The length of appointment varies between one and three years and members may be reappointed. View board members.

Committees

Strategy #2: Ending homelessness: Committee reviews proposals and provides recommendations specifically related to projects working to end homelessness through outreach, prevention, permanent supportive housing, and employment.

Strategy #3: Behavioral health services: Committee reviews proposals and provides recommendations specifically related to projects working to increase access to behavioral health services.

Strategy #4: Strengthening families at risk: Committee reviews proposals and provides recommendations specifically related to projects working to strengthen families at risk.

Strategy #5: Resource management and evaluation: Committee focuses on the evaluation of projects funded by levy proceeds, cross-system planning, enhancement of partnerships, and training.

Background

A Veterans and Human Services Levy implementation ordinance (PDF) received approval by the King County Council on April 10, 2006. The legislation approved by the council required the development of a service improvement plan outlining the use of the levy proceeds and the roles of and process for appointing the members of the citizen oversight boards.

How to become a board member

Qualifications: The primary criterion for membership is an interest in improving the lives of low-income people in our community. This board welcomes applicants with specific experience in the human services fields.

Time commitment: These positions are unpaid, volunteer positions. Members should expect to serve on at least one subcommittee and will spend between five and ten hours each month in meeting time (regular and subcommittee). The frequency of subcommittee meetings varies depending on the activities of the subcommittee - some meet monthly, others less frequently. If a member participates on a Request for Proposal (RFP) review panel, he or she will be expected to contribute an additional 10-20 hours for this activity. The length of appointment varies between one and three years and members may be reappointed once.

Application process: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete an application form, a letter of interest, and resume. If you are applying for a specific district, you should also write a letter addressed to the King County Councilmember for that district. If you are applying for an at-large position, references may be required so we can secure a nomination letter from the Director of the Department of Community and Human Services. Finally, you will submit these items along with a "Statement of Financial and Other Interest" to: Kelli Larsen.

Required Application Materials

Application Form (DOC)
Letter of interest
Resume
One of two items:

Letter addressed to Councilmember; or
Nomination letter from the Director of the Department of Community and Human Services

Approval process: Letters and resumes of prospective appointees will be screened for basic eligibility requirements and an interview will be conducted. After a successful interview, the candidate's application will be forwarded to the appropriate King County Councilmember's office (for district positions) or to the Director of the Department of Community and Human Services (for at-large positions) in order to be considered for nomination.