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Saying farewell to another successful Tent City 3 stay

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Forty people living in Tent City 3 (TC3) wrapped up their three-month stay at the University of Washington at the end of winter quarter. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever, hosting TC3 fit the UW’s public-service mission.

While many interactions with TC3 took place virtually this year, careful planning and precautions made it possible for residents to partner with the UW on in-person clinical, academic and service-learning programs, while protecting the health of everyone involved:

  • School of Nursing students and faculty, as well as UW MEDEX Northwest staff, collaborated with University District Street Medicine (UDSM) to hold multiple foot care clinics during the quarter. At these clinics, UW students and residents got to know each other, and students learned how to evaluate and care for feet. The UDSM medical van joined later clinics, in case TC3 members had additional health concerns.
  • The One Health Clinic visited several times, providing health check-ups for beloved pets and access to preventative health care for their owners.
  • TC3 and UW also built community during a student-led focus group, potlucks, donation deliveries and on move-in/move-out days. Students also helped residents applying for important services like health care, insurance and food stamps.

As was the case during TC3’s stay in 2017, students from the School of Public Health’s Community-Oriented Public Health Practice Program conducted a program evaluation of the residency.

Behind the scenes, a community advisory committee met weekly throughout the stay to share updates, discuss upcoming activities and address any issues that needed attention. Committee members included TC3 residents, SHARE/WHEEL staff, and UW staff, faculty and students. UW’s Office of Regional & Community Relations coordinated the meetings, which were also open to nearby local businesses.

Residents and student, staff, and faculty volunteers made quick work of the March move-out and transition to TC3’s next site in the parking lot of University Congregational United Church of Christ on 15th Ave NE.

Huge thanks to TC3 residents, SHARE/WHEEL staff, Tent City Collective, UW Facilities, College of the Environment, School of Nursing, Center for One Health Research, UW MEDEX Northwest, Doorway Project, Office of the President, UMAC, and the Community Engagement & Leadership Education Center for all their efforts to prepare for and successfully host Tent City 3 in 2021.

UW announces COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students starting fall 2021

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University of Washington announced on May 3 that all students will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this coming fall. View UW News coverage for details or President Cauce’s campus communication. Information on vaccine access, as well as information about support resources and campus operations, can be found on the University’s updated Novel coronavirus webpages. Autumn quarter instruction starts September 29.

Health One, a new kind of 9-1-1 response team, expands in the U District

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Earlier this week, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins announced the launch of a second Health One unit to expand the program to the U District. Health One is a 9‑1‑1 response team comprised of firefighters/EMTs and case managers who are specifically trained to help people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorder and non-emergency medical issues.

With the second Health One unit becoming operational on April 15, the program will now cover the U District and Ballard in addition to the downtown core and Capitol Hill.

Each Health One unit includes two firefighters/EMTs and one case manager from the Human Services Department Aging and Disability Services Division. Unlike other emergency responders, the Health One units can spend more time with the individual in distress and connect them with the services that will help them remain stable after the team leaves the scene. This could include providing the individual a referral to a shelter, helping them schedule a next-day appointment or supplying them food and clothing.

Health One dovetails with the U District Partnership’s existing outreach program operated by REACH. The REACH Care Coordinator, David Delgado, works with individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness to help them achieve stability. Through daily outreach and ongoing relationship building, David helps homeless neighbors access essential resources including housing, health care and treatment.

Commencement 2021: Celebrating worldwide

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This year’s graduating class will celebrate through a highly interactive virtual commencement. UW President Ana Mari Cauce announced the online format in an April 1 letter to graduating students. On June 12, 2021, the virtual event will include many elements of a traditional graduation to be shared across the globe with friends, family and classmates. Learn more about the virtual festivities here.

Spring quarter to continue current virtual course patterns

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It’s almost a year since most UW students, faculty and staff transitioned to remote class and work. With the exception of the Health Sciences schools, the Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma campuses have been quiet despite full workloads.

Most classes will remain virtual during spring quarter, as President Cauce and Provost Richards detailed in January, along with early thinking about the University’s outlook for summer and fall. If case numbers continue to fall, precautionary measures like face coverings and distancing are followed, and vaccine supply increases, it’s possible more in-person activities could happen in the next few months.

Cherry blossom season is an especially beautiful time on the Seattle campus, but again this year the best way to enjoy the blossoms will be virtually. UW will again provide live web-camera access and discourage in-person visits. View the blossom announcement here for more details.