CHS Reduces Programming

by Heather Fritts

As previously reported, the Center for Human Services has announced their plan to decrease our Family Support programming, specifically in the areas of Early Childhood and Youth Development. “Decreasing our programming (which meant laying off staff) was our only option to respond to significant losses in revenue, but we are deeply saddened by this necessity”, stated CHS Executive Director Beratta Gomillion.

The programming changes that occur in Shoreline beginning September 1, 2010 are:

• The After-School Program (4 days a week) at the Shoreline Family Center called Afterschool Adventures” will be eliminated.
• The After-School Program at Ballinger Homes Public Housing Community (Homework Factory) will be decreased from four days a week to three days a week.
• The Ballinger Action Teens program will be eliminated.
• CHS will offer five Play and Learn Groups at the Shoreline Family Center instead of seven.

Additionally, in 2011, CHS will no longer offer the summer camp (“Summer Explorers”) at the Shoreline Family Center. Their cuts are not limited to Shoreline, for they are also eliminating similar programming at the Northshore Family Center in Bothell.

As stated by Ms Gomillion, “As Executive Director, I assure you that these programs are closing or being reduced strictly because of funding problems and in no way is related to the effectiveness of the services. The economy has hit human services very hard, especially through the loss of King County funding, grants, and individual donations.”

CHS has been a part of the Shoreline community since 1970 and also provides family counseling and substance abuse treatment services.