Forum to focus on programs for poor in the Basin

MOSES LAKE — Washington's Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) will hold a community forum in Moses Lake on Wednesday to gather ideas to improve and enhance innovative programs for poor and vulnerable people.

The community forum is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on June 7 at the Big Bend Community College ATEC building, Rooms 1870 A and B, 7662 Chanute St. NE, Moses Lake.

The forum will cover Whitman, Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties. It's the 11th of 14 forums planned across the state, according to Marijo Olson, assistant director of the Community Services Division of CTED.

"Let's identify local needs and strategies, and get a better sense of the priorities of services needed to help low-income families and other vulnerable community members," said Olson, whose division is co-sponsoring the event along with North Columbia Community Action Agency and the Pullman-based Community Action Center.

"We know that working in partnership with local communities is what creates innovations that make life better for Washington's citizens," she said. "We are interested in services that meet emergency and community safety needs, as well as those that help families become self-sufficient."

Invitations are being extended to nonprofit leaders, consumers, advocates, school leaders, county and local government officials as well as volunteers or interested citizens.

To improve services, the agency also sent out an e-mail survey to people who work with or are interested in helping low-income families and vulnerable people across the state. Those findings will also be shared with participants.

"CTED is looking forward to your collaboration, expertise and enthusiasm as we look for successful models and services that can be used or expanded to other parts of the state," Olson said.

The Community Services Division is part of the state CTED office. For more information, please visit www.cted.wa.gov.

— Staff report