Downtown Emergency Services Center
Ryan Kincheloe
Seattle Central Colleges
Social and Human Services 100
Introduction to Social Work
Instructor: Peggy Martin-Waters
Written December 2023
My systems report is on the Downtown Emergency Services Center (DESC). We're going to read about some of DESC's history. We're going to include some of DESC's accomplishments. DESC has been a pioneering agency here in Seattle. We're going to read about some examples of how DESC has been a leader in many areas addressing the homeless issue. DESC has also been at the forefront of tackling some of the most vulnerable mental illness population. We'll read how individuals in need can become a client at DESC. Also, we'll read a little bit about their funding and employment opportunities. Now, let's get started.
Downtown Emergency Services Center (DESC) has a rich history here in Seattle. DESC was born in 1979. They started with an emergency shelter at the Morrison Hotel downtown on Third Avenue. Becoming a fully licensed mental healthcare facility in 1980. From the very beginning DESC has played an instrumental part in creating city sponsored resources and acknowledgment for the homeless issue. In 1984 DESC and clients stormed the Public Safety Building resulting in the severe weather winter shelters that Seattles' homeless rely upon to this day. In 1994 DESC opens The Union hotel, in Pioneer Square, as a permanent residence for 52 formerly (at-risk) tenants. "As of 2019, 44% of the residents at the Union have lived there for ten years or longer (many...since it opened)." (DESC, 2020) In 1997 DESC becomes the first organization to introduce the Housing First philosophy to Seattle's helping community. DESC has been a forerunner in almost every field of public service that they're involved in. In 2006 DESC's highly controversial active alcoholic housing building in South Lake Union saves the taxpayers $4 million in the first year! And, in the last 18 years DESC have been regularly consistent in unprecedented pioneering developments and solutions for the most at risk homeless and disabled population. DESC has been true to their vision.
DESC makes a major commitment to end homelessness. They are also committed to working with the most difficult and uncooperative clients. DESC houses and helps the people whom find it most difficult to advocate for themselves. "We choose to work with the most marginalized and most vulnerable people first, not the most cooperative." (DESC, 2020) DESC helps the people whom are the most difficult to reach and help; the most traumatic and destitute street situations. "DESC is the only organization in Washington dedicated solely to serving homeless people..." (Tax Return Form 990, 2019) When working with clients whom have Co-Occuring or Substance Use Disorder DESC mainly employs the Harm Reduction model.
There are three main ways a client may access services at DESC. One way is their walk-in services. A client can literally walk-in for enrollment in case management services. The client should get to 216 James St at about 830 in the morning to ensure they're one of the first in line. The doors open at 9 a.m., and only one to two eligible people a day will be able to enroll. Enrollment eligibility criteria is for adults 18+ living in King County on King County Medicaid (or be able to pay independently), the client must be living with a mental illness and meet the King County eligibility Criteria. (I was unable to find King County's specific eligibility Criteria.) Another way a client can access DESC is via a professional referral. Then, there is the Crisis Response way in.
In 2012 Downtown Emergency Services Center opened the Crisis Response Center. "The Crisis Solutions Center (CSC) provides King County first responders with alternative options to jail and hospital settings when engaging with individuals... in [a] behavioral health crisis." (King County CSC FAQ, publishing date unknown) What is commonly known in Seattle as "Defund the Police" (DESC, 2020), there are certain professional first response individuals such as police and medics that can be called to the scene. Then the client can be taken to the CSC building instead of jail or hospitals. Thus providing much better services to the client and saving our community resources that are better allocated elsewhere. (Not to mention, it is a more humane approach than putting people in cages!) Here are some of the other services DESC provides.
Aside from Crisis Response, in 2021 DESC housed 1,567 clients in Harm Reduction or other medically supervised housing. DESC was also able to secure permanent independent housing for 277 clients. (DESC, 2021) DESC provides 1,347 units of Supportive Housing. Supportive Housing Services include onsite SUD treatment, health care services, onsite meals and trips to the food bank, Medical monitoring, and community activities. (DESC, 2020) Downtown Emergency Services Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit and seeks funding from a many various sources. For example, there is a site on their web page where anyone can donate to DESC. (DESC, 2023) There is another site on their webpage where DESC published: "DESC is seeking funding from the City of Seattle Office of Housing to build an affordable housing development at 2626 15th Ave W, Seattle, including the vacant lot just south of this [Interbay] location." (DESC, 2020) Another example found on their website: "We welcomed U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) to Kerner-Scott House on Feb. 22. Rep. Jayapal secured $985,000 for Safety, Health, and Hygiene Upgrades at Kerner-Scott House, and we wanted to show her how that funding will improve the 26-year-old building for our clients." (DESC, 2020) DESC also bills King County Medicaid for their services.
The Downtown Emergency Service Center employs just over one thousand people. The Social and Human Services careers available at DESC are extensive. It is well known in the field that DESC is hiring. DESC is a great way to start working in the field as they offer many entry level positions. They also have many opportunities for the better educated and more experienced job seekers. Upon looking at their Job Opportunities on Paylocity.com there where 95 job openings. Indeed.com had 109 job openings. There is everything from a Peer Counselor in the Crisis Response Team to SUDP and SUDT in medically supervised assisted living homes. There is tremendous case management work. Also Psychologist, Psychiatrists, Therapists, and Counselors.
In conclusion, the Downtown Emergency Shelter has done a lot for Seattle's most in-need population. A whole range of city services are now available due to the efforts of DESC and company. Not the least of which is Seattle's winter cold weather emergency shelter system. DESC was first to assert that housing must come before we can address more complex mental health and substance use issues. DESC is a leader in practicing the Harm Reduction model. And, last but not least, DESC is the forerunner in the first responder crisis intervention arena, diverting people from jail to find the help they need. Altogether, Seattle should be proud to have such a pioneering organization dedicated to making the world a better place.
References
https://www.desc.org/about/who-we-serve/
https://www.desc.org/annual-report-2021/
https://www.desc.org/rep-jayapal-visits-kerner-scott-house/
https://www.desc.org/what-we-do/housing/
https://www.desc.org/what-we-do/housing/union-hotel/
https://www.desc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/DESC-2019-990-Public-Disclosure-Copy.pdf
https://www.desc.org/15th-ave-west/
https://www.desc.org/?s=CRISIS+response++
https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/depts/community-human-services/behavioral-health-recovery/documents/DRS/Crisis_Solution_Center_FAQ.ashx?la=en
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/downtown-emergency-service-center/desc-s-2023-1-million-match-campaign