Page 33 - 2026 January February Magazine

<<st>>
Contact Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers:
Looking Ahead: Funding Stability and
the 2026 Legislative Cycle
FSP now faces a challenge familiar to legal
aid and human service providers throughout
the state—funding has not kept pace with
demand or demonstrated impact, and, likely,
will be reduced in the next state legislative
cycle.
Melisa Evangelos, Executive Director:
mevangelos@tacomaprobono.org
Laurie Davenport, Communications Director:
laurie@tacomaprobono.org
Melissa Wolkenhauer, Manager, Volunteer Legal Program:
melissaw@tacomaprobono.org
These pressures are expected to intensify during the 2026 Washington State
legislative budget cycle, where funding for victim services—including civil legal
aid for domestic violence survivors—faces heightened uncertainty. Absent funding
stability, FSP will be forced to limit capacity at a time when it is needed most and
the courts have come to rely on this service.
Housing-related legal programs in Washington have benefited from substantial
state investment that recognizes housing stability as essential legal infrastructure.
The same principle applies here. Protection orders and family law decisions
involving domestic violence are foundational to enforceable outcomes, judicial
efficiency, and long-term stability for families.
For Pierce County practitioners, the Family Safety Project represents more than just
another service provider. It is a professional resource—one that helps courts reach
sound decisions, supports orderly and efficient proceedings, and reinforces the
integrity of the civil justice system.
Mental Health Moment from FSP:
» Our work can affect us deeply, and we are so proud of the stability and
longevity of our team: Andrea Saunders, Senior Managing Attorney; Lauren
Romero, formerly Staff Attorney now Managing Attorney of the VALOR
Program; Bobbi Saldaña, Staff Attorney; Camille Walther, Staff Attorney;
Sheila Bailey, LLLT, FSP Case Coordinator; and Gaove Abdon, FSP Paralegal.
» We encourage everyone reading this article to seek out
the things that help their own nervous systems recover,
whether a book, a podcast, singing, fishing, skating, biking,
baseball, doing stuff with kids or... perhaps you should
investigate an Emotional Support Chicken.
Photo, Emotional Support Chicken crocheted by Andrea Saunders.
PRO BONO
PUP
Meet Chip -
guardian of the
Saunders family.
Don’t mess with
him.
NEW ART
Lakewood oaks.
Photo, from left, Bobbi
Saldaña, Ira Saunders and
Lauren Romero ready for
anything.
Photo, from left, Sheila Bailey,
FSP LLLT, Lauren Romero,
Andrea Saunders, Bobbi
Saldaña, at Cheney Stadium.
IT’S 2026 and
WE NEED YOU,
VOLUNTEER!
Join the collegial
group of attorneys,
LLLT’s and paralegals
making a difference
in our community –
you’ll be glad you did!
Contact Melissa Wolkenhauer,
Manager, Volunteer
Legal Program:
melissaw@tacomaprobono.org.
J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 6 | P I E R C E C O U N T Y L A W Y E R 3 3