Pierce County Resource Guide to Services and Supports for Individuals
Who Experience Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
(section links below).
Please call our office at 253.564.0707 to make arrangements to pick up your copy!
Dear Reader:
This Pierce County Resource Guide is dedicated to the hard work and commitment of those who have endeavored
timelessly over the years to “keep the promise.”
We want to acknowledge the generous support of Pierce County Human Services, Developmental Disabilities
Program, in providing the funds to update and print this important comprehensive guide to services and supports
for individuals who experience intellectual/ developmental disabilities. This important tool will assist you in
navigating the public and private programs and services available throughout Pierce County and beyond.
The Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (PC2) welcomes the opportunity to assist individuals
and families in finding the services and programs that best meet your needs. We are here to answer your calls
if you need further assistance. Whether you are an individual who experiences an intellectual/developmental
disability, have a family member who experiences an intellectual/developmental disability, work within the disability
field, or are in the general community, we welcome your questions and concerns.
We acknowledge that, when compiling this complex list of resources, there are changes that can occur during the
production process. Please know that every effort was made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of agency
information.
The Arc of King County serves all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan: from prenatal diagnosis through end of life care. Our programs include: information and family support for parents, guardians, and siblings; supported living services for adults living in the community; representative payee for individuals needing financial management assistance; homelessness prevention for families at-risk of losing their housing; and advocacy for self-advocates, family members, and community allies seeking to make our community more systemically equitable for all people. We promote and protect the human and civil rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, actively supporting their full inclusion so that they can live, learn, work, and play in the community - making the world a better place for us all.
Provides a number of services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Activities include: Medicaid parent provider trainings, statewide Parent to Parent, special needs trust accounts, systems advocacy, self-advocacy, and training for self-advocates/families regarding legislative advocacy.
ARK Institute of Learning (Applied Research Knowledge)
ARK Institute of Learning is a non-profit agency dedicated to diminishing the impact of learning disorders in the lives of individuals. ARK educational therapists evaluate and instruct children and adults in their desire to overcome learning challenges. ARK has assisted hundreds of students with a variety of learning challenges including dyslexia, language disorder, nonverbal learning disorder/visual-spatial processing disorder, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and specific learning disorder or disability. ARK also assists students who have no formal diagnosis but who would benefit from interventions in reading, written communication, math, oral and reading comprehension, and/or handwriting. Other ARK services include training educators to effectively teach the atypical learner, offering summer small group classes, and providing consultations with ARK's school psychologist.
CCTS envisions a world where all individuals live with independence and self-sufficiency. Our mission is to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. We work to achieve this mission by creating broader visibility for quality data and robust research, informing policy, supporting effective teaching and learning, and maintaining critical partnerships and connections in the area of special education.
The Child Studies Department offers an extensive menu of parenting, child development and other classes. For those interested in pursuing a career in child care or early childhood education, the department offers a comprehensive training and certification program. The department also provides professional guidance for cooperative preschools, an early childhood resource center for parents and teachers of young children, parenting seminars, and a host of other classes and programs.
Child Welfare Information Gateway connects professionals and the general public to information and resources targeted to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families. A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to programs, research, laws and policies, training resources, statistics, and much more.
Children’s Home Society Key Peninsula Family Resource Center
The first years are important to your child’s life. We will work with you to create a solid foundation and help build the well-being of your child. We provide early learning opportunities, including preschool, play and learn groups, home visiting, parenting classes and resources. We give you the tools to raise healthy, happy children. We help your family build on their strengths, find support networks, and promote overall well-being. Child and youth programs include mentoring groups for elementary, middle school and high school students. Help with basic needs (diapers, school supplies, clothing) and information about community resources. Referral services (financial aid, health care, employment).
At Children’s Therapy Center, you will find one of the most experienced and highly trained pediatric therapy staffs in the country. They recognize that parents are a child’s first and most important teacher and therefore involve them in every service provided. Parents feel empowered and supported, and children achieve milestones that many thought weren’t possible. We hire exceptional people; we make a difference; our culture is cooperative, participatory, and empowering.
At Children’s Therapy Center, you will find one of the most experienced and highly trained pediatric therapy staffs in the country. They recognize that parents are a child’s first and most important teacher and therefore involve them in every service provided. Parents feel empowered and supported, and children achieve milestones that many thought weren’t possible. We hire exceptional people; we make a difference; our culture is cooperative, participatory, and empowering.
Children’s Therapy Unit (CTU)
Mary Bridge Good Samaritan, Dr. Donald and Beret Mott Children's Center
Mary Bridge Good Samaritan Children’s Therapy Unit (CTU) helps infants, children and adolescents who have special needs. We are dedicated to helping each child become as functional and independent as possible. The CTU is also connected to the Mary Bridge Pediatric Neurosciences Center, Southwest Washington’s most comprehensive integrated resource for pediatric neurosciences care. Together, the CTU and Mary Bridge collaborate to provide children and families the special care they need.
DADS M.O.V.E. (Mentoring, Others with Voices of Experience)
Our vision is to provide every male caregiver, in every community of the United States and its territories, the tools, support, and training needed to be fully engaged in the recovery of their children. No man in any part of this country, whether the largest metropolitan city or the most rural community, should be excluded from the opportunity to help their children and family flourish. Dads M.O.V.E. supports the use of evidence based practices to effectively help families. We offer: collaborative parenting skills, CIT training, juvenile justice, WRAP, high fidelity wraparound, S.M.A.R.T. IEP plans, and peer support specialists. Check out our website for more information and find us on Facebook.
DADS M.O.V.E. (Mentoring, Others with Voices of Experience)
Our vision is to provide every male caregiver, in every community of the United States and its territories, the tools, support, and training needed to be fully engaged in the recovery of their children. No man in any part of this country, whether the largest metropolitan city or the most rural community, should be excluded from the opportunity to help their children and family flourish. Dads M.O.V.E. supports the use of evidence based practices to effectively help families. We offer: collaborative parenting skills, CIT training, juvenile justice, WRAP, high fidelity wraparound, S.M.A.R.T. IEP plans, and peer support specialists. Check out our website for more information and find us on Facebook.
At Evergreen Recovery Centers we facilitate treatment for those affected by drugs and alcohol. No matter your level of addiction, we can make a difference in your life. We offer comprehensive addiction treatment - for all affected. Whether you are addicted, or want to better understand the addiction patterns of your loved one, our staff of professionals can help you. With over forty years of experience, we have the tools to create a safe environment full of integrity and respect. Each member of our team wants each of our patients to succeed. We offer a number of diverse services in the Puget Sound region, including medically supervised acute detox programs, assessments, deferred prosecution, and DUI programs, intensive outpatient programs (including daycare for single parents), mental health counseling for co-occurring disorders, patient navigation (for persons struggling with barriers to treatment), early intervention (including Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP) and SBIRT), drug screening, anger management and DV perpetrator treatment, residential and outpatient services for pregnant and parenting women, therapeutic day care programs for young children of patients, and ADIS (Alcohol and Drug Information School).
Our Family and Child Education Program offers three avenues (determined by the age of the child) for families to learn and grow as parents and as students. Students have the opportunity to bond with their child, learn about their culture and heritage, become prepared for future employment, provide educational opportunities such as receiving GEDs or prepare to attend college. The heart of our FACE program is to gain greater life skills, learn about child development, and learn about their culture and apply historical teachings to parenting. Please visit our website for more information.
Family Support Partnership works together with families, partners, and local leaders to strengthen families. Research shows communities can strengthen families when they: partner with parents/caregivers to overcome challenges, create opportunities to build strong support networks, connect families with basic needs when they need it, provide families with parenting and health education, and partner with parents and caregivers to support healthy and emotional and social development. Based on this research, our Family Support Centers provide these services: triple P (positive parenting program) - available through home visiting, group sessions, and online, individual and group parenting education, connections to community resources, education and enrollment assistance for Washington Connections benefits and services.
At HopeSparks, we envision a world where all children and families are safe, secure, and stable. Our mission is to strengthen families by inspiring courage and confidence to make a lasting change. HopeSparks is comprised of five core programs that serve children and families in Pierce County who face trauma, abuse, and overwhelming life challenges. HopeSparks is a recognized leader in Pierce County in behavioral health, early intervention, kinship care, home visiting, eating recovery and parent education. Our programs include: healing hearts counseling, children’s developmental services, relatives raising children, eating recovery, family support services, parent education, and HopesCloset.
Family Support Services offer skills and support to help build healthy families and encourage positive parenting skills. We work together with parents, schools and the community to strengthen families with children of all ages, at no cost to families. Family Support Services programs include free parenting classes and in home services. Parenting classes are available throughout the year for parents with children at any developmental stage, from infants and toddlers to school-aged children and teens. Call us for a current schedule of classes. Promoting First Relationships and the Positive Parenting Program are both evidence-based parenting programs provided in the home by Family Support Workers, who offer encouragement to parents and help them build on the unique strengths of their family, free of charge.
Education Ombuds: listens to understand your questions and concerns relating to students in K-12; provides information about public school processes and the rights and responsibilities of students and parents, and make referrals to appropriate resources; asks questions to help you identify, understand, and evaluate possible options for resolving concerns; acts as a neutral sounding board; offers support and coaching on working through conflict and building effective communication; consults with families, educators, and others to clarify issues and facilitate direct communication between families and schools; and shares best practices for increasing family engagement in schools.
Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (PC2)
PC2 is a parent-driven 501(c)3 organization responsible for providing clear, consistent information for families and individuals who experience developmental disabilities in Pierce County, Washington. PC2: provides resource links and follow-up/follow-along services for families; publishes a quarterly newsletter with relevant articles and information; publishes a comprehensive Resource Guide of services and supports; conducts educational meetings on a variety of topics; provides information at resource and vendor fairs throughout the county; provides a Home Ownership Down Payment Assistance Program for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families; co-hosts an annual Legislative Forum for constituents to meet and speak with their elected officials; provides information on how the legislative process works and how your voice can make a difference; shows you how you can connect with legislators and how to advocate for yourself; helps families find their voice!
Parent to Parent (P2P) of Pierce County is a community for parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities, special healthcare or learning needs of any age. We partner with Pierce County Human Services and the Arc of Washington to provide support, information and connections for families. Free services include: multiple parent and family groups across the county; 1:1 peer support (matching the parent with a peer partner based on similar diagnoses and family issues); training for parents, professionals, and community members; special volunteer training for parent volunteers to support other parents; information and education about community partners and resources in Pierce County; connections to culturally relevant services; a Spanish outreach coordinator; and resources to access interpreters to offer support for all needing assistance. See what’s happening at wapave.org/get-help/calendar or connect with us on Facebook, PAVE Pierce County Support programs. (Located on the Tacoma Community College Campus in parking lot “I” as you enter from 12th Street; opposite side of the campus from TACID.)
The Home Care Association of Washington and the Professional Registry of Nursing have teamed up to help provide you with an affordable, efficient and cost effective training solution for your valuable caregivers. We can help you meet your training requirements with local, convenient classes for the 75 hour Core Basic Training, as well as continuing education and nurse delegation offerings. Please visit our website for more information.
The South Sound Autism Partnership is a collaboration between individuals, families, providers, and organizations who are part of the autism community within the South Puget Sound area of Washington State. Our primary purpose is to increase awareness, acceptance and advocacy of autism in order to provide support for our community and impact change. We have monthly resource sharing meetings on the UW Tacoma campus. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please email us for more information! Our goals are: to strengthen and coordinate the existing resources through building authentic relationships in the South Puget Sound area that serve our community; to identify and further clarify the unmet needs of our community and help develop resources to meet those needs; to provide comprehensive information regarding needed supports for our community throughout the lifespan.
STOMP provides one and two-day in-person workshops throughout the United States and overseas and one-hour webinars for military families and military personnel. Topics include: Rights and Responsibilities (IDEA, IEP); Advocacy; SSI/Medicaid; TRICARE/ECHO/ABA; Wills, Guardianships & Special Needs Trusts; Networking; and IEP and 504 Breakouts. STOMP training provides families with federal information to gain a better understanding of how to navigate through educational and medical systems when they have children with exceptional/special needs. STOMP workshops and webinars are funded by the Army, Navy and Air Force which determine the locations and workshop/webinar topics per installation. To see a complete listing of workshops coming to an installation, visit https://wapave.org/specialized-training-of-military-parents-stomp/specialized-training-of-military-parents-stomp-installation-near-you/. (Located on the Tacoma Community College Campus in parking lot “I” as you enter from 12th Street; opposite side of the campus from TACID.)
A Washington non-profit organization working with families who have children with special needs. Offers programs and activites for special needs children and their families. We support, educate, and empower exceptional families and our community to create an inclusive environment for children with special needs.
