Lacey considers establishing permanent Human Services Commission 

The Lacey City Council is considering establishing a permanent Human Services Commission to provide oversight and guidance for the city's human services programs and funding.  

At a Tuesday meeting on November 26, Michelle Chavez, Lacey's Human Services Coordinator, presented an update on the city's current human services work group and the need for more permanent oversight. 

“We’ve had wonderful community participation and great expertise from our community members who are on that board, all of them have amazing expertise in Human Services,” shared Chavez. 

Chavez noted that the workgroup, established on an ad hoc basis, has provided valuable community input and expertise in reviewing grant applications and advising on the city's human services needs assessment.  

Lacey will receive an estimated $304,850 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funding for 2025, and with the city set to receive increased funding, staff recommended establishing a standing commission to provide oversight. 

According to the staff report, public participation is a requirement of CDBG programs, and “transitioning the Human Services Work Group to a permanent Human Services Commission would meet this requirement.” 

Chavez explained that the proposed commission would provide ongoing recommendations for human services needs, policies, programs, and funding allocations. 

The establishment of the new commission is recommended by both the Commission on Equity and the Human Services Workgroup. 

The recommendation to establish a permanent Human Services Commission is expected to be reviewed further in a meeting tentatively scheduled for December 3 this year. 

The next steps will involve drafting an ordinance to create the commission and formally determining its structure and responsibilities.