News

Columbia Legal Services is grateful to the The Seattle Foundation for their generous $15,000 grant. Funding will be used to support critical advocacy targeted to protecting affordable housing and other basic needs for vulnerable, disabled adults who are living in deepest poverty. Thank you!

Editorials around the state support measures pending before the state legislature to re-evaluate life sentences for children. See these items from:

The Everett Herald

and

The Stranger

Senate Bill 5147, which reinstates 72-hour family notification provisions that allowed youth shelters to promote family reunification and reconciliation, is one of the first bills to pass both houses this Legislative session! This change, which will have no fiscal impact, allows shelters to ensure that the youth has a safe and stable place to stay in times of crisis and allows the youth and their family time to resolve their conflicts and reunite. The bill awaits the Governor's signature. CLS attorney Diana Garcia contributed to the drafting of the bill's language.

CLS shares up-to-the minute news and information about our work, and that of our friends, colleagues and community stakeholders on facebook. Join us. (more)

A report by CLS and Disability Rights Washington documenting DSHS's inadequate oversight of a Medicaid-funded Supported Living program has grabbed the attention of journalists at The Seattle Times and Q13 News. (more)