Navigating DSHS

How can we help?

A guide to programs and services offered by the
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
- Aging and Long-Term Support Administration
- Behavioral Health Administration
- Children’s Administration
- Developmental Disabilities Administration
- Economic Services Administration
- Financial Services Administration
- Rehabilitation Administration
- Services and Enterprise Support Administration
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 1

Overview of DSHS Administrations................................................................................ 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Cash, Child Care, Food and Medical...................................................................... 5

Domestic Violence........................................................................................................... 5

Employment........................................................................................................................ 5

Children’s Issues................................................................................................................. 6

Adults Who Are Aged or Disabled.......................................................................... 7

Welfare Fraud....................................................................................................................... 8

Public Records..................................................................................................................... 8

People Who Are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind................................ 8

Things to Remember............................................................................................................... 9

DSHS at a Glance..................................................................................................................... 10

DSHS Quick Guide.................................................................................................................. 11

DS H S VI S I O N
People are healthy,
People are safe,
People are supported,
Taxpayer resources are guarded

DS H S M I SS I O N
To transform lives

DS H S VALU E S
Honesty and Integrity – leadership and service
require a clear moral compass.
Pursuit of Excellence – it is not enough to get the
job done, we must always challenge ourselves to do
it better.
Open Communication – excellence requires
teamwork and a strong team is seen, heard and feels
free to contribute.
Diversity and Inclusion – only by including all
perspectives are we at our best and only through
cultural competency can we optimally serve our
clients.
Commitment to Service – our challenges
will always exceed our financial resources, our
commitment to service must see us through.
Introduction
The Department of Social and Health Services is a lifeline providing the basics of daily
living to Washington residents who need a helping hand. DSHS and its partners provide
protection, comfort, food assistance, cash assistance and a host of other services.

A sampling of DSHS services on the next page of this guide offers a glimpse of how we
meet the multiple needs of those who seek our help.

DSHS would never be able to do all of this work without the outstanding assistance of
our dedicated staff, foster parents, family members, community partners, faith-based
organizations, private providers, tribes and state and local government agencies.

This guide provides vital information about available DSHS programs

and offers tips on how to navigate to them.

Transforming
Lives

1
 DSHS is the state’s social service agency for
children, families and adults in need. We, in the:
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA)
• Investigate alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
• License and monitor nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family homes.
• Provide in-home services for people who are low-income and elderly so they can continue to live
comfortably and safely in their own homes.
• Provide client services and resources on behalf of people who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind so
they have equal access to opportunities.

Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)

• Provide prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support services for individuals with substance use
and mental health issues, and gambling disorders.

Children’s Administration (CA)

• Investigate suspected child abuse and neglect.
• Provide services to families that increase parents’ capacity to safely care for their children in their own home
and prevent placement elsewhere.
• Provide safe, quality care for children, who are unable to safely live with their families, through placement
with licensed foster parents and relative caregivers.
• Make sure each child placed away from his or her family has a plan for safe, timely permanent care either by
returning home, being adopted or living with guardians.
• Provide crisis intervention services to families in conflict with their teenagers.

Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

• Provide support so people with developmental disabilities can live at home by providing respite, family
support and personal care.
• Provide residential support for people with developmental disabilities, when needed.
• Provide employment supports in individual community jobs.

Economic Services Administration (ESA)

• Help low-income people meet their basic needs and move on a pathway toward economic self-sufficiency
through cash grants, food and medical assistance, welfare-to-work employment services and subsidized
child care.
• Ensure parents provide financial and medical support to their children through child support enforcement.

Rehabilitation Administration (RA)

• House and treat juvenile offenders in secure facilities and provide supervision following their release.
• Help individuals with disabilities find jobs.
• Provide mental health treatment, in secure facilities, for civilly committed sex offenders.

Services and Enterprise Support Administration (SESA)

• Prevent and detect fraud and abuse.
• Provide research and strategic planning.
• Engage with Indian tribes and organizations, state and local governments and legislators.
• Promote diversity and inclusion.
• Engage employees and the public.

2
Frequently Asked Questions
Cash, Child Care, Food and Medical

A number of assistance programs are available to help low-income individuals, families, pregnant women and
people with disabilities meet day-to-day financial needs. To find out online if you are eligible for one or more
of the DSHS assistance programs or to apply, go to www.washingtonconnection.org.

How can I get child support for my Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA)
children? Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA) provides cash
grants to low-income pregnant women who do not
The Division of Child Support (DCS) administers state qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
and federal laws and helps families by establishing (TANF). Pregnant women who are Washington
paternity, establishing and enforcing child support residents and meet income, resource and citizenship
and medical support obligations, collecting and requirements may be eligible. Apply for PWA at a
processing child support payments and reviewing local Community Services Office or online at www.
and modifying child support obligations. Families washingtonconnection.org.
who receive cash or medical assistance automatically
receive DCS services. An online support quick Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
estimator and more information about DCS services Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) provides cash grants
can be found at www.childsupportonline.wa.gov or to newly arrived refugees and legal immigrants
by calling 1-800-442-KIDS (5437). who are single or childless couples and have
settled in Washington. Recipients can receive cash
assistance for a maximum of eight months after
How can I get money to pay my bills? entry into the United States. Apply for RCA at a
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) local Community Services Office or online at www.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) washingtonconnection.org.
provides cash and medical help for families in need.
Washington residents who are responsible for the care DSHS Emergency Programs
of children or who are pregnant may be eligible. Many DSHS can provide prompt emergency help in
TANF families are required to enroll in the WorkFirst any of the following situations: eviction, no food,
program that helps them find and keep jobs. To apply, homelessness, pregnancy medical issues, utility
visit a local Community Services Office or apply online shut-off, domestic violence, medical emergency,
at www.washingtonconnection.org. non-receipt of benefits, daycare needed due to work
or circumstances that present harm to the client or
Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance others. Apply for emergency assistance at a local
Washington’s Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) program Community Services Office or apply online at www.
provides cash grants to low-income adults who are washingtonconnection.org.
65 or older, blind or likely to meet Supplemental
Security Income disability criteria. Apply for ABD at a
local Community Services Office or online at www.
washingtonconnection.org.

3
 Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply for help with child How can I get help with my medical
care bills? needs?
Child care subsidy programs help working families DSHS provides medical assistance to aged, blind or
pay for child care at licensed or certified child care disabled individuals. Apply for assistance with medical
centers, family child care homes, the homes of expenses at a local Community Services Office or online
approved relatives who provide care or your own at www.washingtonconnection.org.
home by an approved adult. To apply for assistance
with child care, call 1-877-501-2233 (or call from a
local Community Services Office for free if you do How can I get treatment for addiction?
not have access to a phone) or apply online at www. Programs to help low-income people get treatment for
washingtonconnection.org. substance use and gambling disorders are administered
by counties and tribal governments. For referral to
Need help finding child care? services in your county or for 24-hour help during a
crisis, contact the Washington Recovery Help Line at
Find the local Child Care Resource and Referral 1-866-789-1511 or www.warecoveryhelpline.org.
Agency in your area by calling 1-800-446-1114, or You can also find a directory of community treatment
visiting the Washington State Child Care Resource programs at www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/substance-use-
and Referral Network at www.childcarenet.org/. treatment-services.

To apply for health insurance or Apple Health (Medicaid)

How can I get help to buy food? to pay for treatment, visit www.healthplanfinder.org.
Washington Basic Food (also known as food stamps
or SNAP) helps low-income individuals and families Where can I get information about
eat a healthier diet by supplementing their income preventing underage alcohol and other
with benefits to buy more groceries. Washington drug use?
residents who meet income, resource, citizenship
or immigrant status requirements are eligible. Apply DSHS supports the Washington Healthy Youth Coalition.
for food assistance at the local Community Services Parents and caregivers will find prevention strategies at
Office or online at www.washingtonconnection.org. www.StartTalkingNow.org.

4
Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get mental health Domestic Violence

services in my community?
DSHS and the Health Care Authority (HCA), through its How can I report domestic violence?
Apple Health program, provide mental health services
If an individual is at imminent risk, call 911.
for Medicaid-eligible children and adults. You can apply
for Medicaid at www.healthplanfinder.org.
How can I find services for victims of
DSHS funds the following services for people with domestic violence?
serious mental illness:
Call the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline
• Outpatient care and recovery support through the at 1-800-562-6025. The hotline is accessible to deaf
Regional Support Network in your area. and non-English speaking individuals. To find help or
• Crisis and emergency care: Call a crisis line near you locate a community program, contact the Washington
or 911 if you have a life-threatening emergency. State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.
wscadv.org.
• Inpatient care in a community hospital or
treatment facility for those who are gravely
disabled or likely to harm themselves or others.
• Court-ordered inpatient care in a state hospital.
Employment

Other types of mental health services include: How can I get a job with DSHS?
• HCA’s Apple Health program for outpatient services Employment opportunities with DSHS may be found
to people with less serious mental illness. Contact on www.careers.wa.gov.
your enrolled Apple Health plan to learn about
their services.
I am an individual with disabilities and
• Limited services for any Washington resident want to work. How can I get assistance?
with a mental health need, regardless of financial
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
eligibility.
provides employment-related services to people with
To find a treatment agency in your area, or for 24-hour disabilities who want to work but need assistance. A
help in a crisis, contact the Washington Recovery Help DVR counselor works with each individual to develop
Line at 1-866-789-1511 or www.warecoveryhelpline. a customized plan of services designed to help him or
org. her achieve job goals. More information is available by
calling 1-800-637-5627 or visiting www.dshs.wa.gov/
ra/division-vocational-rehabilitation.

What employment programs

are available for people with
developmental disabilities?
Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
provides long-term assistance in job development
training and on-going supports for individuals who
qualify for DDA services. Contact your regional DDA
office for more information www.dshs.wa.gov/DDA/
dda/find-an-office.

5
 Frequently Asked Questions

Children’s Issues How can I become a licensed foster

parent?
How can I report suspected child abuse People interested in foster parenting can call the
Statewide Foster Parent Information Center at 1-888-KIDS-
or neglect?
414 (1-888-543-7414).
If a child is at imminent risk of injury, call 911.
Otherwise, call DSHS toll-free at 1-866-END-HARM How do I adopt a child?
(1-866-363-4276). A worker will speak with you and
get information about your concerns. This service To adopt a child from foster care, families or individuals
operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. should enroll in pre-service training. Find more
information online at www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/adoption-
and-adoption-support/adoption. You may also call
How do I get assistance for my child your local Children’s Administration office. The purpose
who has a developmental disability? of the adoption program is to find permanent homes
The Developmental Disabilities Administration for children in the care and custody of DSHS who are
(DDA) helps with services for people who have a unable to reunite with their birth families. DSHS strives
developmental disability. Contact the local DDA office to find safe and stable families that best meet a child’s
and ask to apply for services. To find the DDA office needs. Ongoing financial and medical support may be
in your area, call 360-725-3413 or visit www.dshs. available for people adopting a foster child with special
wa.gov/DDA/dda/find-an-office. For information on needs. The adopted child must qualify under federal
the development needs for children birth to age 3, and state rules.
contact the Early Support of Infants and Toddlers at
the Department of Early Learning at 360-725-3500 or Can I get help with my out-of-control
visit www.del.wa.gov/providers-educators/early- teenager?
support-infants-and-toddlers-esit.
Family Reconciliation Services are available to families
experiencing conflict with youth ages 13-17. Services
to resolve crisis situations and stabilize families are
available through your local Children’s Administration
office. Find more information on adolescent services
or locate an office online at www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/
adolescents.

What happens to juvenile offenders

committed to state facilities?
Youth who are committed to the state’s custody are
held in Rehabilitation Administration (RA) facilities.
One of RA’s priorities is helping young offenders
develop, mature and become confident, competent
and responsible adults. They achieve this through
professional care that includes secure institutions,
minimum-security community-based residential
facilities and family-focused aftercare.

6
Frequently Asked Questions

Adults Who Are Aged or Disabled

How can I report abuse of an elderly

person or adult with disabilities?
If an adult is in imminent risk of injury, call 911.
Otherwise, call toll-free 1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-
4276). You do not have to give your name. Suspecting
that abuse, neglect or financial exploitation is
occurring is enough to make a call. Referrals will
be made for follow-up and investigation or to law
enforcement as needed. How the law defines a
“vulnerable adult:” www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-
and-community-services/reporting-abuse.

How can I get services for my

grandmother who is not able to take
care of all her personal needs, such as How can I help my brother with
cooking and cleaning? disabilities to get into a licensed
nursing care facility?
Many services, programs and resources are
available to help an adult continue to live at home. Visit www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/residential-care-
Information is available online at www.dshs.wa.gov/ services/long-term-care-residential-options for
altsa/residential-care-services/long-term-care- information on choosing one of the different types of
residential-options. In-home costs of these services homes or facilities where a person can live and get care
can be paid privately out-of-pocket or through services. If the person will use Medicaid, the nursing
private health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. home, assisted living facility or adult family home
must be licensed by DSHS and must accept Medicaid
Where do I look for services available payments.
for the elderly or persons with
disabilities in my county? Where do I look for services when I
can no longer provide care at home
Go to www.dshs.wa.gov/ALTSA/resources. Select for my adult son/daughter with
your county. You’ll find contact information for developmental disabilities?
your local Area Agency on Aging and other local
organizations. You can also visit www.dshs.wa.gov/ Contact your local DDA office and ask for an
ra/division-vocational-rehabilitation/services- assessment of your loved one’s needs. Find
individuals-disabilities for information about information online at www.dshs.wa.gov/dda.
employment services for individuals with disabilities.
Miscellaneous

7
 Frequently Asked
Frequently Questions
Asked Questions

Welfare Fraud What if I do not have specialized

telecommunication equipment such
How do I report welfare fraud? as CapTel, an amplified telephone or a
TTY to contact DSHS?
If you suspect or have knowledge of welfare fraud,
report it by: You can apply for a specialized telecommunication
device.
• Calling the welfare fraud hotline at
1-800-562-6906. • To apply for specialized telecommunication
equipment online visit www.dshs.wa.gov/
• Using the online complaint form at www.dshs. altsa/odhh/telecommunications-equipment-
wa.gov/sesa/fraud-and-accountability. distribution
• Mailing a written complaint to Welfare Fraud • For more information about the
Hotline, PO Box 45817, Olympia, WA 98504-5817. Telecommunication Equipment Distribution
• Faxing a complaint to 360-664-0032. Program visit www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh/
telecommunications-equipment-distribution
For more information, call the Office of the Deaf and
Public Records Hard of Hearing at 800-422-7390 or 360-339-7382
videophone or email to [email protected].
How do I do I find information about
Regional Service Centers can be found at www.dshs.
DSHS public records?
wa.gov/altsa/odhh/regional-service-centers.
Go to the DSHS Public Records page at www.dshs.
wa.gov/node/4060/records-request-how-request-
public-records.

People Who Are Deaf, Hard of

Hearing or Deaf-Blind

How can I make a telephone call as I

am not able to hear on the phone?
You can make a telecommunication relay call
on your own, free of charge, using specialized
telecommunication equipment.
For more information on relay services visit www.
dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh/telecommunication-relay-
services.

8
Frequently Asked Questions

A local organization will not I have a DSHS meeting. How do I

accommodate or meet my request an interpreter, assistive
communication needs. What can I do? listening system or real-time
captioning?
You can contact the Regional Service Center
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to request Make a request at least two weeks in advance of the
case management services. There are seven meeting by calling 360-902-8000.
regional offices throughout the state. The
case manager will work with you and the local
organization to make sure services are accessible
in accordance to disability laws and that you are
able to communicate successfully. Regional Service
Centers can be found at www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/
odhh/regional-service-centers.

Things to Remember...
When calling your local DSHS office, it is helpful to have the following information:
• Your name
• Your date of birth
• Your client identification number

If you’re not a current client, an identification number will be assigned to you when
you are approved for services.
DSHS client information is confidential and is shared only with the written permission
of the client or as authorized by law.
If a DSHS client wants or needs to share information from his or her DSHS case files,
an Authorization to Disclose Records form is online at www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/
default/files/FSA/forms/pdf/17-063.pdf.
For information on the Department’s compliance with HIPPA rules, please see
the HIPAA Notice. For more information about privacy please visit
www.dshs.wa.gov/node/4060/privacy.

9
 DSHS at a Glance
Aging and Long-Term Support Developmental Disabilities
Administration (ALTSA) Administration (DDA)
• Home and Community Services – Assistance with • Community Services – Individual and Family Support,
in-home care, residential care and Adult Protective Employment and Day Programs, and Supported Living
Services. Services.
• Residential Care Services – Licensing, certification and • Residential Habilitation Centers.
oversight of long-term care facilities, such as adult
family and nursing homes, assisted living facilities, Economic Services Administration (ESA)
Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual
• Help for Needy Families and Individuals – Cash assistance,
Disabilities and Certified Community Residential Basic Food, WorkFirst employment and training services,
Services and Support. child care assistance and medical assistance.
• The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing addresses • Child Support – Establishment and enforcement of child
the social, emotional and communication aspects of a support and medical support obligations and paternity
variety of hearing levels. establishment services.
• Refugee and Immigrant Assistance – Employment and
Behavioral Health Administration English as a Second Language (ESL) services for refugees
(BHA) and legal immigrants with limited English proficiencies,
naturalization services and refugee resettlement assistance.
• State Hospitals – Provide inpatient psychiatric services
for adults and children in three hospitals across the Rehabilitation Administration (RA)
state.
• Residential Care – Community Programs, Institutions and
• Alcohol and Substance Use – Provide funding to Treatment.
counties and residential programs for chemical
dependency treatment for low-income people. • After Care – Parole and structured transition services.
Certification and oversight of chemical dependency • Office of Juvenile Justice.
outpatient and residential programs statewide.
• Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Mental health services, supports and treatment in the
• Special Commitment Center for sexually violent predators.
community that promote prevention, stabilization and
recovery for children and adults with serious mental
illnesses. Services and Enterprise Support
• Licensing and certifying treatment agencies for Administration (SESA)
outpatient and residential programs statewide. • Human Resources Division.

• Service integration – Responsible for integrating and • Enterprise Technology.

improving health and social services for Medicaid • Office of Communications.
clients, including medical, mental health, substance use, • Office of Continuous Improvement.
and long term services.
• Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Children’s Administration (CA) • Office of Fraud and Accountability.
• Child Safety and Protection – Child Protective Services • Office of Indian Policy.
(CPS), Child and Family Welfare Services, Family Voluntary • Office of Policy and External Relations.
Services, Domestic Violence Services and Indian Child
Welfare Services. • Research and Data Analysis.

• Out-of-Home Care – Placement with relatives and • Strategic Planning.

licensed foster parents. • Technology Services Division.
• Permanent Families – Family Reunification, Guardianship • Emergency Management Services.
Support and Adoption Support.
• Family Support – Family Reconciliation Services.

10
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

Quick Guide DSHS Website: www.dshs.wa.gov

Please call the units below for questions:

Constituent Services
For general information about department programs and referral to appropriate agency contacts for complaint resolution:
Public toll-free line..................................................................(800) 737-0617
Email..........................................................................................AskDSHS@dshs.wa.gov

Community Service Division – Customer Relations

For questions regarding cash, food, child care or medical assistance programs, WorkFirst or services provided by local
Community Services or CSD customer service call centers:
Public toll-free line...............................................................(800) 865-7801
Phone........................................................................................(360) 725-4763
Email..........................................................................................csdcru@dshs.wa.gov

Children’s Administration – Constituent Relations

For review of concerns regarding agency actions in Child Protective Services, foster care and adoption cases. Please have the
child’s name and the parents’ name whenever possible:
Public toll-free line...............................................................(800) 723-4831
Email..........................................................................................constrelations@dshs.wa.gov

Division of Child Support – Community Relations Unit

For questions regarding child support issues, please have the DCS case number or Social Security number, names of both
parents whenever possible and a signed and completed Authorization to Disclose Information:
Public toll-free line...............................................................(800) 457-6202
Email..........................................................................................dcs-cru@dshs.wa.gov

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation – Customer Relations

For questions regarding employment, retraining, or rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities provided by local
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offices:
Public toll-free line...............................................................(800) 637-5627
Email..........................................................................................dvrcsr@dshs.wa.gov

EndHarm
Call this toll-free number if you suspect that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected. The operator will
connect you with the right DSHS office to make your report.
Public toll-free line...............................................................(866) 363-4276; (866) EndHarm

Report Fraud
• Online: Office of Fraud and Accountability • https://wadshs.libera.com/Sys7CMSPortal-FCMS-WA/fraud/report.aspx
• Mail: DSHS Welfare Fraud • P.O. Box 45817 • Olympia, Washington 98504-5817
• Phone: 1-800-562-6906 - Welfare Fraud Hotline
• FAX: 1-360-664-0032, Attention: HOTLINE

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Online........................................................................................www.dshs.wa.gov/sesa/diversity-and-inclusion
Phone........................................................................................(360) 902-7999

Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH)

For questions about services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind, interpreter services, assistive listening
systems, specialized telephone equipment or other services:
Public toll-free line...............................................................(800) 422-7930 (Voice or TTY)
Public videophone line......................................................(360) 339-7382 (Videophone)
Email..........................................................................................odhh@dshs.wa.gov
Online........................................................................................www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/office-deaf-and-hard-hearing

Health Care Authority (HCA)

DSHS partners with the HCA for medical program benefits and delivery. For questions about Medicaid coverage, Healthy
Options, and Medical Assistance Customer Service Center:
Public toll-free line...............................................................(800) 562-3022
Online........................................................................................www.hca.wa.gov
 Navigating DSHS is online at:
www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/SESA/publications/documents/22-1199.pdf

DSHS 22-1199 (Rev. 9/16)