Human Services Providers Get $25.9M Boost From King County Levy

King County is investing $25.9 million to stabilize and strengthen its human services workforce, a move officials say is essential to ensuring residents have access to vital services such as housing assistance, financial stability programs, and behavioral health support.

The funding, announced by the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and its Adult Services Division, is part of a larger $57 million Workforce Stabilization strategy funded through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). Guided by the VSHSL Implementation Plan adopted by the King County Council, the levy seeks to promote housing and financial stability, community health, and social engagement through programs tailored to the needs of those it serves.

The $25.9 million will go to nonprofit service providers already supported by the levy. The funds are intended to help with recruitment and retention by improving wages, enhancing benefits, supporting professional development, and offsetting the rising cost of living.

“It takes people to care for people,” said Kelly Rider, director of King County DCHS. “In order to achieve results, we must invest in a robust and representative workforce with the knowledge, experience, and skill needed to deliver levy-funded programs. Sustained effort from all funders of human services is needed to recruit and retain workers with the relationships and expertise to provide effective services to our community.”

Michael Bailey, director of DCHS’ Adult Services Division, said the announcement marks a much-needed response to long-standing challenges facing the human services field.

“For decades, our human services and nonprofit partners have been the backbone of our King County communities and neighborhoods,” Bailey said. “Despite their historical and critical contributions, turnover across the human services sector continues to be a challenge. I’m proud to work for an organization that sees this challenge as an opportunity to step up and co-design a suite of interventions that once implemented, will help to stabilize this workforce.”

Recent data underscore the urgency of the effort. A 2023 King County survey of nonprofit employees revealed that 71% had considered leaving their jobs due to low pay. Chronic underinvestment, coupled with rising living costs and insufficient benefits, has contributed to widespread staff shortages and high turnover rates among community-based service providers.

The $25.9 million announcement builds on other DCHS initiatives aimed at workforce stabilization. These include the Best Starts Child Care Wage Boost pilot, which will distribute quarterly wage boosts to approximately 1,400 child care workers between 2025 and 2027. The program follows a 2022 effort in which King County and the City of Seattle issued one-time retention payments to 12,000 child care workers—roughly 90% of the regional workforce.

Additionally, the county’s Crisis Care Centers Initiative is committing $164 million over the next nine years to strengthen the behavioral health workforce. Earlier this year, $16.8 million was awarded to regional behavioral health providers to support recruitment and retention efforts.

To further address economic pressures on nonprofit providers, DCHS implemented a new Inflation Rate Adjustment Policy for Human Service contracts in 2024. This policy allows for inflationary increases where applicable, helping providers better cover the full cost of services and maintain staff.

The funding and related strategies are part of King County’s long-term commitment through the VSHSL, which voters first approved in 2005. In its current form, the levy connects veterans, seniors, and vulnerable residents to housing, employment, and healthcare services. It was renewed for a fourth time in August 2023 with a record 71% voter approval.