HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2018-050WHATCnM CnVNTY CnIINCIL AGENDA BILL NO.
2018 -312A
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
1214118
PW & Health
Originator:
PHAB
11121118
Committee
Division Ifead:
Dept. Ifead:
Prosecutor:
Purchasing /Budget:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT.
Support for Immigrant Families
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Resolution: Health Protection for Immigrant Families
Draft comment letter opposing changes to the "Public Charge" Rule
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes (x ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( ) Yes () NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes (x ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate. Be
clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
The Public Health Advisory Board seeks support to move forward with a proposal for a Resolution to stand in
support of immigrant families in Whatcom County.
COMMITTEE ACTION. •
COUNCIL ACTION.•
12/4/2018: Recommended for approval
12/4/2018: Approved 6 -1, Byrd opposed Res. 2018 -050.
Motion carried 6 -11 Byrd opposed, to send a
letter of support from the Council to the
Department of Homeland Security to respond to
the federal government comment period to
support continuation of providing health
benefits to everyone, regardless of legal
immigration status
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number:
Res. 2018 -050
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing on
the County's website at. www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
PROPOSED BY: PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD
SPONSORED BY: HEALTH DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 2018 -050
HEALTH PROTECTION FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
Whereas: In accordance with RCW 70.05.060 it is the responsibility of the Whatcom County Health
Board to supervise all matters pertaining to the preservation of the life and health of the people within
its jurisdiction and;
Whereas: the Whatcom County Board of Health shall supervise the maintenance of all health and
sanitary measures for the protection of the public health within its jurisdiction and;
Whereas: on October 29, 2013, the Whatcom County Health Board unanimously passed Resolution
2013 -038 Call for Compassionate Community Approach to Public Health Related Services and;
Whereas: the Whatcom County Health Board has identified the health of children and families as a
policy focus area for 2018 and;
Whereas: Whatcom County, just like many counties in Washington State, is the home and workplace
of large immigrant communities with citizens and immigrants of all statuses; and
Whereas: Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and detentions in Whatcom County
have caused immigrant families significant trauma resulting in mental health concerns in adults and
adverse childhood experiences (ACE'S) for young children and;
Whereas: Fear of detention and deportation has caused families to avoid seeking needed medical and
social services and;
Whereas: Changes to federal laws are being proposed that would cut off government health benefits
and housing for immigrants and their families and;
Whereas: Whatcom County may face increased demands for assistance from immigrants and their
families resulting from changes to the "public charge" definition because fewer individuals will be able
to access federal benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Section 8 housing
vouchers and healthcare services and;
Whereas: Whatcom County administers federal programs, and changes to federal laws could impose
burdensome new tracking and reporting requirements for local offices that administer these programs
and;
Whereas: Changes to federal law may discourage immigrants and their families from seeking federal
health benefits, such as Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) resulting in health
impacts to those families, decreased health status of our community and increased costs to county
budgets and;
Whereas: The Health Board has resolved to seek opportunities to increase awareness and promote the
concept of a "compassionate" or "trauma sensitive" approach and to integrate this paradigm into the
broadest possible range of all public health, education, and human services in our county and;
Whereas: The Whatcom County Health Board seeks to stand in support of our immigrant families by
upholding the principles of health equity and ensuring that the health and social service needs of
citizens and immigrants of all statuses are met.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Health Board that:
The Health Board will contact our U.S. Senators and Representatives opposing changes to
federal legislation that would reduce health, housing and other social service benefits for
immigrant families and;
The Health Board will further ensure that "compassionate approaches" are built into all public
health related services and contracts including human services programs and;
The Public Health Advisory Board shall convene a task force as provided for in WCC
24.01.051.A.4 to evaluate existing systems and support services for families impacted by the
threat of deportation including access to health care, mental health, housing and other social
services considering cultural, safety and language barriers preventing access.
APPROVED this 4th day of December 1 2018
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(Name), Ci Prosecutor
WHAT OVI C TY HEALTH BOARD
WHAT O A C U , WASHINGTON
Rud Browne, Health Board Chair