A survey conducted by Redmond’s Family Resource Center, revealed that human service agencies would have significant interest in participating in an Issaquah campus.
Modeled after the Family Resource Center at 16225 NE 87th St. in Redmond, the Issaquah campus would also be a one-stop human services facility where multiple service providers would be co-located, greatly increasing access to services.
Of 25 respondents, 14 agencies reported they were interested in the project, while another six agencies indicated potential future interest. Of the 14, two were definite, six were very interested, and six expressed possible interest in being located on the campus. Services provided by the 14 agencies include medical, youth and family counseling, assistance to seniors, emergency services, and help for developmentally disabled, among other services. The total estimated amount of space needed by these agencies ranged from 28,000 to 52,000 square feet.
Funded by the City of Issaquah and conducted by Family Resource Center, the survey is the first phase of a broad feasibility study that will address, among other things, agency property criteria, community needs, and development and governance options.
Family Resource Center developed its model campus of 18 agencies 20 years ago and has worked to advance the Issaquah project since the effort was launched in 2006. The Family Resource Center serves the greater Eastside from its 35,000 square-foot Redmond campus, where 40,000 individuals are helped yearly.
Volunteer leaders in the Issaquah area have worked since for four years to develop a human services campus to serve the Issaquah area. An initial survey of agencies completed in 2007 indicated strong interest at the time.
The effort received a tremendous boost 2008 when the City of Issaquah directed that one million dollars it received for affordable housing mitigation from a local developer could be used for developing a human services campus.
In 2009, a key informant study of 60 community leaders confirmed the view that services are needed in the Issaquah area and that there is community support for the project. Family Resource Center then partnered with University of Washington graduate students to evaluate Issaquah real estate issues before planning a feasibility study.
Twenty-five agencies responded to the survey e-mailed in January to approximately 50 agencies. Level of interest, space requirements, awareness by the Board of Directors in the opportunity and reasons for interest were queried.
“We asked about the reason agencies want to participate,” noted Family Resource Center executive director Pam Mauk. “While all could check multiple answers, and we assume pursuing a new or expanded location relates to real estate needs, we were interested to see that the answer with the most responses was ‘We would like to participate in a one-stop human services campus.’”
With agency interest confirmed, the center is beginning the next phase of the feasibility study which will be conducted over the next four to five months.
For more information, contact Pam Mauk at (425) 869-1174 or pamm@familyresourcecenter.org.
