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.
Aging and Disability Resources offers a wide range of community-based services that allow older adults and adults with disabilities to remain at home as long as possible. These services address the needs of frail, older and functionally disabled adults living in Pierce County. ADR can review your service needs and eligibility, help you make informed choices and access services, help you develop a plan that addresses your health, housing and safety needs, review your situation and help you make changes to the plan as needed. ADR provides case management, family caregiver support, services to help unpaid caregivers caring for aging parents, ailing spouses, partners, disabled adult children, or friends suffering from a debilitating illness, Long Term Care Ombudsman, and an Aging & Disability Resource Center. ADR also provides Lifespan Respite care (or short-term relief) for families and primary caregivers to restore and strengthen their ability to continue providing care for a child or adult with special needs. Please visit our website or call for more information.
Bethel Family Center is a community based program that provides linkage to services and resources for Bethel families. Bethel Family Center provides information and assistance with applying for Basic Food, Medicaid, and other services through DSHS. Emergency hygiene products and school supplies are also available on a limited basis. Contact us for more information.
We believe the elderly should be able to live in security and dignity. Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services provide a variety of services to seniors and to people with disabilities that dignifies each individual while providing the needed tools to help extend independent living and promote physical and mental well being. As our senior population continues to grow, we are constantly looking for new ways to provide solutions to a variety of care challenges and opportunities. Historically, CCS has provided home care services that enable seniors and people with disabilities to remain in their own homes. In addition, we provide this to people with low or no income, as well as to people who are able to pay for the service. An outgrowth of our home care programs has been the recognition that low income seniors who are not homebound need nutritional meals and socialization. To this end, numerous senior meal sites as well as Meals on Wheels have been established in Pierce County. Other services to seniors and people with disabilities include referrals through Volunteer Services, a vast network of help that matches volunteers to the needs of seniors and others; low income housing, and volunteer transportation.
Our mission is to cultivate the advancement of the Latino and Indigenous communities by providing social services and educational programming while honoring heritage and culture through the arts. Our services include bilingual family services, advocacy and referral for individuals and families in crisis, guide and support for families through the court, healthcare, and social service system, and educational forums that effect the community.
Child Protective Services
- Tacoma
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families
Child Protective Services is a state agency that investigates reports of child abuse and neglect. Child safety is the first concern of Child Protective Services. They will work with both parents to safely care for their child. CPS can also go to court to remove a child from the parents' care if necessary to protect the child. CPS files a "dependency petition" with the court if it believes that the child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of harm and must be removed from the mother and/or father's care. This begins a court process called a dependency case. At the court hearings, the CPS worker and both the mother and the father can provide information to the court. The judge or commissioner decides issues such as where the child should live, what services are needed to support the family and/or return the child to his or her mother or father and how often visits between the parents and child should occur.
Child Protective Services
- Lakewood
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families
Child Protective Services is a state agency that investigates reports of child abuse and neglect. Child safety is the first concern of Child Protective Services. They will work with both parents to safely care for their child. CPS can also go to court to remove a child from the parents' care if necessary to protect the child. CPS files a "dependency petition" with the court if it believes that the child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of harm and must be removed from the mother and/or father's care. This begins a court process called a dependency case. At the court hearings, the CPS worker and both the mother and the father can provide information to the court. The judge or commissioner decides issues such as where the child should live, what services are needed to support the family and/or return the child to his or her mother or father and how often visits between the parents and child should occur.
Child Protective Services
- Puyallup
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families
Child Protective Services is a state agency that investigates reports of child abuse and neglect. Child safety is the first concern of Child Protective Services. They will work with both parents to safely care for their child. CPS can also go to court to remove a child from the parents' care if necessary to protect the child. CPS files a "dependency petition" with the court if it believes that the child has been abused or neglected or is at risk of harm and must be removed from the mother and/or father's care. This begins a court process called a dependency case. At the court hearings, the CPS worker and both the mother and the father can provide information to the court. The judge or commissioner decides issues such as where the child should live, what services are needed to support the family and/or return the child to his or her mother or father and how often visits between the parents and child should occur.
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
- Vaughn
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).
Eastside Family Support Center
- Tacoma
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Family Center
The mission of the Eatonville Family Agency is to serve individuals, families and senior citizens in need and to reduce the impact of poverty through a variety of social services and community programs. We provide services and programs to help our community members in need. We provide a food bank, backpack food program for school students, clothing bank, senior citizen activities, DSHS basic food and medical enrollment assistance, holiday food and toys, school supplies, and so much more. If you live in the Eatonville or rural southeast Pierce County area and you need assistance, please call or come by the office.
With its combination of working farm, Repack Project, and distribution warehouse, Emergency Food Network is unique. It is one of the only non-profit emergency food distribution centers in the country capable of growing, purchasing, storing and distributing food - taking food straight from the land to the tables of those in need. We are not a food bank, but we do give referrals to local food banks.
The Enough Is Enough (EIE) mission is to make the internet safer for children and families.We are dedicated to promoting child dignity in the digitial world by raising public awareness about the harms of internet pornography, sexual predators, cyberbullying, sex trafficking and other dangers. We develop and advance preventative solutions that promote equality, fairness, and respect for human dignity with shared responsibility between the public, the technology industry, and the legal community. We are dedicated to continue raising public awareness about the dangers of internet pornography, sexual predators, other dangers and advance solutions that promote equality, fairness and respect for human dignity with shared responsibility between the public, technology, and the law. We stand for freedom of speech as defined by the Constitution of the United States; for a culture where all people are respected and valued; for a childhood with a protected period of innocence; for healthy sexuality; and for a society free from sexual exploitation.
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).
Faith International Adoption is a 501(c)3 non-profit child placement and charitable relief agency licensed in the state of Washington. We are committed to providing loving and nurturing adoptive parents for children throughout the world who are in need of a permanent family. We are directors, social workers, translators, liaisons, tour guides, and consultants. We are an agency dedicated to matching caring parents with children who need them. We have the experience, expertise, and the network to handle all aspects of an international adoption. The adoption includes children with and without disabilities. Please visit us on our website and find us on Facebook.
The Family Caregiver Support program helps support and sustain the primary, unpaid caregiver providing continuous care for an older adult or a functionally disabled adult 18 years of age. We connect caregivers with the resources that will enable them to continue at-home care and make it possible for care recipients to continue to remain in their familiar environment.
Family Health Hotlline helps families with children who have special needs find evaluation services, parent supports, school services, resources for childcare, and summer camps.
Family Housing Network serves low-income families in Pierce County and military veteran households in King, Pierce, Thurston, Snohomish, Kitsap, Mason, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Cowlitz, Pacific or Wahkiakum Counties. We provide assistance to house families experiencing homelessness, while helping to connect them with resources that maximize stability and self-sufficiency, in order to prevent future homelessness.
The Family Mentor Project (FMP) is a resource to support families and guardians through the process of moving a family member to the community from a Residential Habilitation Center (RHC) operated by the Developmental Disabilities Administration of Washington (DDA) or from a skilled nursing facility. Family Mentors provide emotional support, based on their own personal experiences of transitioning their loved ones into community residential services and supports. An individual's choice to transition, or not transition, to the community should be an informed one, and that choice will impact the level of transition planning provided. Family mentor services are offered to all eligible individuals. Please visit our website for more information about our services.
Family Reconciliation Services (FRS) is a voluntary program serving runaway adolescents, and youth in conflict with their families. The program targets adolescents between the ages of 12 through 17. FRS services are meant to resolve crisis situations and prevent unnecessary out of home placement. They are not long term services. The services will assess and stabilize the family's situation. The goal is to return the family to a pre-crisis state and to work with the family to identify alternative methods of handling similar conflicts. If longer-term service needs are identified, FRS will help facilitate getting the youth and his/her family into on-going services.
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.
Foundation for Multicultural Solutions (also known as El Camino Program or Foundation El Camino) is a substance use disorders intensive outpatient treatment facility located in Tacoma, Washington. The programs offered are designed for adolescents, adults, women and men. The services offered are: intensive outpatient, outpatient, assessments/evaluation, DUI assessments, alcohol information school (ADIS), DUI victims impact panel in spanish, recovery support groups, and family inclusive. Our services for adults are provided in Spanish. Our staff is fully bilingual in Spanish/English.
Franklin Pierce Youth First (FPYF) is a responsive, compassionate, and committed school-community partnership organization advocating for all of our community’s youth and families. FPYF seeks to build collaborative partnerships and culturally relevant services that empower families and youth for success, with special consideration for those who are disenfranchised or disconnected. A primary component of FPYF is the FPYF coalition, comprised of community members and organizations, committed to comparable goals and working together to meet the mission of FPYF.
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.
We offer advocacy, transition support, and individual & family support to help untangle the web, simplify complex challenges, and provide you and your child with the support you deserve. If you have any questions for us, please don't hesitate to give us a call or reach out via our contact page on our website. We respond to all messages within two business days.
Program staff and certified volunteers work in nursing homes, adult family homes, and boarding homes. Certified ombudsmen are a listening ear and a voice for residents of long-term care settings. Ombudsmen educate residents, staff, families and the community about long-term care issues, resources, resident rights and quality of life in long-term care settings. A certified ombudsman is assigned to visit with residents in long term care facilities. Each volunteer receives extensive training before being assigned. Frequent in-service training is scheduled during regularly held monthly meetings. In addition, the ombudsman is informed as to other training available in the area and is encouraged to attend. Please visit our website for more information.
When unimaginable crises threaten people’s lives and futures, Lutheran Community Services Northwest offers healing, help and hope. We help vulnerable children, families, refugees and others overcome life’s most difficult challenges to become contributing members of our communities. Our mission is grounded in faith and the ideals of inclusiveness and justice. We respect, serve and advocate for all no matter their religion, ethnicity, sexuality or other personal attributes. Some programs offered in Pierce County include: caregiver services (fostering caregiver wellness, home care, meals on wheels), refugee resettlement, retired and senior volunteer program (RSVP), Santa for seniors, senior advocacy, dementia friendly action coalition (DFAC), senior companion, senior friends, senior media services (Senior Scene newspaper and Where to Turn guide), and social engagement (zoo walk, memory cafes and music mends minds). Please visit our website for more information.
Multicultural Self-Sufficiency Movement (formerly known as My Service Mind of Northwest) is a community based 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving the Puget Sound area. The mission of MSM is to provide critical integration and empowerment services that will lead to a path of self sufficiency for culturally, linguistically, and economic disenfranchised member of our society, including low-income individuals, limited English proficient persons, immigrants, refugees, and persons with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Our mission is carried out through the following programs: education, employment, economic development, and social services. Please visit our website for more information.
Metropolitan Development Council is a vital community resource for Tacoma and Pierce County. Founded in 1964 as a non-profit Community Action Agency, MDC responds to community needs by providing services in the areas of healthcare, housing, education, and employment that address the challenges faced by low-income individuals and families. MDC provides services focused on improving the health and well-being of very low income individuals. Continuing economic struggles for many in Tacoma’s low income communities requires that we all to work together if we are to sustain what has been accomplished and continue to grow. MDC is responding to this challenge with new board and staff leadership, investment in staff training and development, a leaner management structure, greater volunteer involvement and a commitment to continuous process improvement within our organization, as well as each of our 40 programs.
Military OneSource provides you the resources you need in the form of special needs consultants. A consultant can assess your family's needs and answer your questions about education, finances, support groups and more. They can help you find and access: a needs assessment and local resources and services; information about specialized doctors, medical equipment resources and medical benefits; early intervention, special education and options after graduation; support for adults, including information on insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare and Medicaid; respite care resources through TRICARE or community programs, and through each service branch. Please visit out website for directories, toolkits and resources.
The Adult Developmental Clinic opened in 2018 to provide comprehensive, multi-specialty support for teens and adults who experience developmental disabilities. Moving from pediatric to adult care can be challenging for teens, as well as their families. Our nationally unique model assists individuals with this transition by providing a comprehensive evaluation and direct connections to adult medical care, and offers ongoing support throughout adult life. We work closely with patients, their families or support persons, and their primary care physicians to provide better coordinated, lifelong primary and specialty care. Note that appointments for the MultiCare Adult Developmental Clinic are available by doctor referral only. Providers, you may make a referral by calling (253) 697-1435 or faxing a referral order to (253) 697-1489.
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.
Located at a kiosk in the South Hill Mall in Puyallup, this immunization clinic offers free and low-cost immunizations to children and adults. No appointments are necessary. The kiosk is open 5 days a week to provide convenient access to immunization services. Please visit our website for more information.
Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center (MCFHC) is a non-profit human services agency. Our mission is to provide culturally relevant support services to children and families through daycare, ECEAP, and DSHS contracted services. A positive relationship between teacher and student is an important factor in the social, emotional and academic development of a child. Our Center strives to ensure this balance. Some of our services include: ECEAP program, childcare program, supervised visitations, homeless childcare, and parent to parent.
The Pantry's primary objective is to help improve the lives of families struggling financially. Since opening its doors to the community in 1999, My Sister's Pantry has become one of the busiest food banks in the Tacoma area. We are open three times a month to serve a substantial hot meal, distribute groceries, and provide a store-like where clients can "shop" for men's, women's, and children's clothing. My Sister's Pantry, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is an outreach program of First United Methodist Church of Tacoma. We serve 350+ families and individuals each month and annually distribute approximately 125,000 pounds of food.
A national technical assistance center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, which partners with state deaf/blind projects to improve systems serving children (ages birth-21) who are deaf/blind. Extensive information and a variety of tools and resources related to combined vision and hearing loss are available on the NCDB website and via email.
Need-A-Break Services is a non-profit faith-based foundation that is devoted to helping people succeed through meeting needs in our community and motivating others to serve their neighbor. We provide direct service through home repairs, vehicle repairs, and other gifts. We also work closely with our charity partners to organize volunteer crews, provide donations, and promote events.
We provide housing, services, treatment, and support to Pierce County mothers and children impacted by chemical dependence, to help them achieve and maintain reunification through healing, self-sufficiency, and clean & sober living. New Phoebe House provides a healthy, safe, and communal environment where women and children experience a family setting in a beautifully restored Victorian house. Sleeping quarters, play areas, living area, common kitchen / dining facility, and laundry facilities provide over 5,000 square feet to support healthy family reunification. As residents are assured that their day-to-day needs are met, they can focus on remaining clean and sober, developing job skills, gaining education, becoming financially literate, building a resource network, and increasing parenting skills. This comprehensive approach allows the women and children to live in the New Phoebe House for up to two years. At the end of this time period, the program goals aim for each woman to be self-sufficient, more resilient, able to parent in a loving and safe manner, and transition to more permanent housing.
We provide care in home and community settings to children, teens and adults with moderate to severe disabilities. We support each client in assisting with vocational training, independent living, and individual education plans. We offer continued educational and social experiences, encouraging our clients to grow and build meaningful relationships with peers and staff as well as effectively integrate into their community. We help families in accessing the resources and services that their child/young adult family member needs to ensure that we are advocating effectively for our communities most vulnerable.
Living with mental illness may sometimes leave you feeling hopeless and alone. Often, you may not know what’s wrong or you may even feel like you’ve done something wrong. Even when you do understand what’s happening, you may find it hard to talk about what you’re going through with friends and family. The stigma associated with having a mental illness often makes it hard to talk openly about your feelings and experiences. We want you to know that help is available. OK2TALK is a community where teens and young adults struggling with mental health conditions can find a safe place to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope. Anyone can add their voice by sharing stories, poems, inspirational quotes, photos, videos, song lyrics and messages of support in a safe, moderated space. We hope this is the first step towards helping you get the support you need to feel better.
The Orting Family Support Center offers two parenting programs that are done in the home for families with children under 8 years old. In addition, we also assist you in applying for SNAP (food stamps), P.C. Energy Assistance and link you to resources in the community/Pierce County. Call for more information.
Out of the Gray is a 501(c)3 charity incorporated in the state of Washington. Inspired by people obscured by the immense responsibility of caring for a dependent individual, we exist to bring these women and men out of the gray as we ask the question "What can we do for you?" We accept nominations for services from medical and educational personnel, family, friends, and other agencies that interact with caregivers. Beginning with a consultation and assessment of need, we then provide both practical services based on client request and also work to create an experience tailored for the caregiver that is for the purpose of offering relief, recognition, a break from isolation, and to enrich their human experience with strength and dignity.
Washington State Parent to Parent is a network of 23 community programs serving all counties in the state. Programs provide emotional support and information to families of children with special needs or disabilities. Also offers trainings and educational events.
Provides ongoing training for facilitators, as well as support for parents and self-advocate mentors through person-centered plans that utilize maps and graphics. We work in partnership with school districts and can contract privately for individual plans. (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 mission of the Pierce County Alliance is to be a leader in the provision of human services, specializing in substance abuse and mental health services for individuals, families, and the community. The organization strives for client satisfaction through continuous quality improvement of services that are cost efficient and have measurable outcomes. The Pierce County Alliance meets or exceeds all federal, state, and local regulations for certification and licensing as a behavioral care provider. In addition, PCA is authorized by the State of Washington to license foster home. PCA facilities are in full compliance with the American Disabilities Act and PCA staff are sensitive to, and adept at working with ethnic and cultural minorities. PCA’s qualified program services include: substance use dependency (SUD) treatment, mental health therapeutic services and co-occurring SUD treatment, and youth services. Please visit our website for more information.
Pierce County Asset Building Coalition seeks to develop innovative, actionable solutions to help eliminate poverty through a combination of education, advocacy, objective discussion, and collaboration between community members, organization leaders, financial institutions, and policy members.
Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities (PC2)
- Tacoma
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.)
Pierce County Parks and Recreation includes a wide range of activites and opportunities. Explore more than 4,200 acres of parks and trails. Find upcoming activites, classes, sports for all ages and abilties plus register online. Check out venues from weddings to picnic shelters. We have something for every occasion. Add new summer traditions with one of our awesome special events. Explore Pierce County’s two premier public gold courses. Learn about projects and department planning. Discover a variety of fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities. Find classes, programs, and activities for all ages and interests. Please visit our website for more information.
Churches of the Plateau Ministerial Association have joined with members of Enumclaw Plateau Communities to help those in crisis, translating Christ’s call to “Love Thy Neighbor” into action. Plateau Outreach Ministries (POM) focuses on basic needs: food, clothing, housing, emergency financial assistance and case management, including counseling referrals, for issues causing crises. Today the services provided by POM extend beyond senior citizens to children, individuals and families - all of our neighbors in need of assistance.
Offers aid to pregnant women or parents with children 5 & under. Provides maternity clothes, pregnancy tests, formula, clothing, baby food (baby and regular food bank), car seats, and some baby furniture. Offices opened Monday, Wednesday, & Friday - 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Pregnant and Parenting Teen Program
- Lakewood
Family and Consumer Science Education (FACSE), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OPSI)
Services we offer: aged, blind, or disabled cash assistance program (ABD), child care subsidy programs (CCSP), child support services, DSHS emergency programs, family planning services, housing and essential needs, medical assistance programs, pregnant women assistance program (PWA), refugee cash assistance (RCA), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), voter registratino assistance, washington basic food program, and workforce innovation. Please visit out website for more information and how to apply.
Public Assistance - Community Service Offices (CSO), DSHS
- Puyallup
Services we offer: aged, blind, or disabled cash assistance program (ABD), child care subsidy programs (CCSP), child support services, DSHS emergency programs, family planning services, housing and essential needs, medical assistance programs, pregnant women assistance program (PWA), refugee cash assistance (RCA), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), voter registratino assistance, washington basic food program, and workforce innovation. Please visit out website for more information and how to apply.
Public Assistance - Community Service Offices (CSO), DSHS
- Lakewood
Services we offer: aged, blind, or disabled cash assistance program (ABD), child care subsidy programs (CCSP), child support services, DSHS emergency programs, family planning services, housing and essential needs, medical assistance programs, pregnant women assistance program (PWA), refugee cash assistance (RCA), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), voter registratino assistance, washington basic food program, and workforce innovation. Please visit out website for more information and how to apply.
Public Assistance - Community Service Offices (CSO), DSHS
- Tacoma
Services we offer: aged, blind, or disabled cash assistance program (ABD), child care subsidy programs (CCSP), child support services, DSHS emergency programs, family planning services, housing and essential needs, medical assistance programs, pregnant women assistance program (PWA), refugee cash assistance (RCA), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), voter registratino assistance, washington basic food program, and workforce innovation. Please visit out website for more information and how to apply.
Public Assistance - Community Service Offices (CSO), DSHS
- Bremerton
Services we offer: aged, blind, or disabled cash assistance program (ABD), child care subsidy programs (CCSP), child support services, DSHS emergency programs, family planning services, housing and essential needs, medical assistance programs, pregnant women assistance program (PWA), refugee cash assistance (RCA), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), voter registratino assistance, washington basic food program, and workforce innovation. Please visit out website for more information and how to apply.
Planned Parenthood is one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With or without insurance, you can always come to us for your health care.
Relatives Raising Children keeps families intact by providing resources and advocacy to kinship and relative caregivers who are raising children not theirs by birth. Some of the reasons children come to live with relatives include death, deployment, incarceration or abandonment. These newly formed families need information and resources to help manage the initial transition process. Services are available to Pierce County residents at no cost. Services include: information, referral, resources, advocacy, IMPACT seminars (non-parental custody), Hopescloset, counseling, relatives raising children support groups, scholarships for youth activities, emergency assistance, and community resouces.
Resource to Initiate Successful Employment (RISE) Program
- Tacoma
The RISE program offers assistance to those on Basic Food (SNAP Food Benefits) in obtaining employment at a livable wage through services providing case management, job experience, and employment and training assistance.
Resource to Initiate Successful Employment (RISE) Program
- Lakewood
The RISE program offers assistance to those on Basic Food (SNAP Food Benefits) in obtaining employment at a livable wage through services providing case management, job experience, and employment and training assistance.
First, we assess the needs of each community in which we serve. We work to understand the obstacles, hardships, and challenges native to the area's particular population. Next, we build local programs designed to offer immediate relief, short-term care, and long-term growth in the areas that will best benefit the community. Then, we offer the local programs to the local community, working to continually optimize their efficacy via spiritual, physical, and emotional service. What we do: help disaster survivors, cure hunger, overcome poverty, serve the LGBTQ community, provide shelter, fight human trafficking, stop domestic violence, equip families, teach kids, empower the arts, assist the unemployed, combat addiction, love the elderly, serve veterans, share God’s love, and meet the greatest need. Please visit our website for more information.
First, we assess the needs of each community in which we serve. We work to understand the obstacles, hardships, and challenges native to the area's particular population. Next, we build local programs designed to offer immediate relief, short-term care, and long-term growth in the areas that will best benefit the community. Then, we offer the local programs to the local community, working to continually optimize their efficacy via spiritual, physical, and emotional service. What we do: help disaster survivors, cure hunger, overcome poverty, serve the LGBTQ community, provide shelter, fight human trafficking, stop domestic violence, equip families, teach kids, empower the arts, assist the unemployed, combat addiction, love the elderly, serve veterans, share God’s love, and meet the greatest need. Please visit our website for more information.
Sherwood exists to create an inclusive society where children and adults with disabilities have the ability to live full, independent lives as part of their communities. Sherwood was started in 1957 by eight families of children with disabilities who were excluded from a public education. Together, they created Sherwood to prove that their children not only had the right, but the ability to learn. People with disabilities were segregated and isolated due to the societal expectation that they would be cared for out of the public eye; they were in effect considered second class citizens and deemed incompetent without any rights. While society has advanced significantly in the past 60+ years, current education and employment statistics throughout our state and county are not reflective of a truly inclusive community for people with disabilities. Sherwood strives to create an inclusive society where children and adults with disabilities have the ability to live full, independent lives as a part of their community.
The Sibling Support Project is the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns. We are proud to be a program of Kindering, an award-winning organization that embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage and the skills to soar. We’ve published books for and about brothers and sisters, host online groups for teen and adult siblings, and presented workshops on sibling issues internationally and in every state. We are best known for helping local communities start Sibshops - lively peer support groups for school-age brothers and sisters of kids with special needs.
Sibshops
- Puyallup
MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, Children's Therapy Unit (CTU)
Sibshop is a program for typically developing brothers and sisters who have a sibling with a disability or chronic health condition. The program is sponsored through Mary Bridge Good Samaritan Children’s Therapy Unit and a variety of grants. The Sibshop Program is a highly regarded and award-winning workshop model that has been replicated in more than 200 communities in eight countries. For Good Samaritan and CTU, the Sibshop Program exemplifies our focus on family-centered care. Sibshop facilitators include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, child psychologists and recreation therapists. Typically, Sibshops for 5 to 11 year olds are held one Saturday per month and Sibshops for 12 to 17 year olds are held one Thursday evening per month.
Smith Habilitation Services provides Specialized Habilitation Services and Community Engagement Services to adults with developmental disabilities and other disorders.
We are contracted with DDA of Washington State. We are licensed and bonded with Washington State. (Previous company name was Quality Community Outings.) We serve Pierce, Thurston, and Kitsap Counties.
Special Child Family Services is a grassroots effort connecting parents, teachers, therapists, medical providers, and anyone who is actively involved with an individual who has disabilities or special medical needs on a daily basis. Our goal is to assist families in the following areas: family support, spiritual support, & equipment and supplies. Family Support is one of the core fundamentals of our ministry. We offer a parent-to-parent support group on our special child exchange Yahoo! Group, connecting you with 1,000+ families who are all experts in their own field of parenting and who can assist you with advice and information in a timely manner. Spiritual support is the heart of our ministry. We are a Christ-centered ministry, which leads us to be mindful of all of our members and their situations. The willingness of others to serve our families in all forms of crises is what we do, whether it is bringing a hot meal or willingly praying for a family who is in need. Medical equipment and supplies are daily needs for almost all of our families. It would only be natural for us to offer a way for our families to exchange gently used medical equipment, and unused medical supplies, in an effort to help other families who would normally not be able to afford such expensive equipment.
Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP)
- Tacoma
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.)
StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying. StopBullying.gov coordinates closely with the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Steering Committee, an interagency effort co-led by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services that works to coordinate policy, research, and communications on bullying topics. The Federal Partners include representatives from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, the Interior, and Justice, as well as the Federal Trade Commission and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Please visit our website for more information.
Sumner/Bonney Lake Family Center
- Sumner
Sumner/Bonney Lake School District, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
We are a family support center offering a wide variety of human service programs, resources, health services, information and referrals. Our goal is to work with the community and empower the family unit. We offer a variety of programs and services to the community that include: parent support groups, parenting classes, home visits, intervention services and resources, services in Spanish, family events, and sewing classes.
Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID)
- Tacoma
TACID is a peer-led, peer-directed wellness and recovery organization that serves adult individuals in Pierce County who have a visible or invisible disability. All services and programs are provided free of charge to participants. TACID exists to provide services and programs that empower individuals with diabilites to live their fullest possible life. We are promoting the independence of individuals with diabilities through peer support, advocacy, and self-sufficiency programming. Services provided include: classes, day and evening support groups, workshops, information and referral services, behavioral health ombuds services, training opportunities, one-on-one peer support, computer lab, meditation, yoga, sacred movement, healing touch light massage, community garden, clothing bank (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and possible appointments for an urgent need 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.), activies, some volunteer opportunites, and day room.
Planned Parenthood is one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With or without insurance, you can always come to us for your health care.
We are tenacious problem solvers with legal expertise in all aspects of the law impacting youth. Our primary areas of practice focus on youth rights to education, healthcare, housing and the intersections between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We find out what matters to youth who ask for our help, and our lawyers champion their solutions to overcome the obstacles to their success. We stand with youth. Our legal expertise and training give us a unique vantage point. We see how injustice and inequity are hard-wired into public systems of care. We are driven to shine light where policies and practices allow for disparities and poor outcomes to persist. We are earnest in calling in key stakeholders to dismantle systems that don’t work. We are dedicated to holding space for impacted youth and community to develop and drive the solutions and strategies that replace outdated and ineffective approaches that dehumanize, isolate and damage youth. Our programs include: legal services when youth are in crisis and not receiving the support they need to thrive, training/consulting when proven solutions and approaches are not being used in the field, and policy advcacy when current practices repeatedly and systematically hold young people back.
The Family to Family Health & Information Center (F2FHIC)
- Tacoma
Family to Family (F2F) is a program that serves families with children and youth that have special health care needs, ages birth to 26 years, across Washington. We provide individual information to support you advocate for your child in the health care system and refer you to resources that are available in Washington State that provide information on health care. (Located on the Tacoma Community College Campus in parking lot “I” as you enter from 12th Street; opposite side of the campus from TACID.)
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 that provide the residents of Tillicum and American Lake Gardens with a central facility to promote social, health, educational and cultural programs as well as offer assistance and referral services. We operate: SeaMar Medical Clinic, Women Infant Care Program (WIC), Senior Meal Site, Pierce County Branch Library, Family Emergency Preparedness, Clothes Closet, Food Bank, Senior Bingo, and Hall Rentals.
United Way of Pierce County’s history is rooted in partnerships - bringing people from different walks of life together to improve conditions for children, families and individuals. We strategically invest in and develop programs that are aligned to address the root issues of poverty. We partner with the private, public and non-profit sector to leverage resources and educate the community about interconnected issues. We support those efforts with volunteer help and in-kind goods. We advocate at the state and local level to make sure government resources for struggling families are available. We put every resource we have into breaking the cycle of poverty in Pierce County.
University of Washington Autism Centers
- Seattle
UW Seattle Office, Center on Human Development and Disability
The UW Autism Center is a non-profit organization devoted to supporting individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders through exceptional clinical services, innovative scientific research, and high-quality training. The Tacoma clinic currently offers Autism diagnostic evaluations for all ages but expedited evaluations for children under 3 who are already enrolled in Birth-to-Three, outpatient speech therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies in the clinic and home as well as an intensive 12 week program for children under age 6 who have state insurance plans, and social skills groups. The Tacoma clinic also offers trainings for parents, professionals and community members on ASD related topics, as well as student internship and clinical practicum rotations. Please contact us for more information about any of these resources.
The UW Autism Center is a non-profit organization devoted to supporting individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders through exceptional clinical services, innovative scientific research, and high-quality training. The Tacoma clinic currently offers Autism diagnostic evaluations for all ages but expedited evaluations for children under 3 who are already enrolled in Birth-to-Three, outpatient speech therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies in the clinic and home as well as an intensive 12 week program for children under age 6 who have state insurance plans, and social skills groups. The Tacoma clinic also offers trainings for parents, professionals and community members on ASD related topics, as well as student internship and clinical practicum rotations. Please contact us for more information about any of these resources.
Washington Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center
- Tacoma
The Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) serves all of Washington State and is a federally funded program that works to provide free resources, information and training for parents, youth and other professionals to understand and navigate the special education system. PTI resource coordinators live and work all over Washington state to offer: training via articles, video, or on-demand and in-person workshops. One-to-one assistance (technical assistance/TA) to navigate early intervention, special education, general education, post-secondary and other related systems in Washington State. This includes coaching, support, and mentoring to further support the understanding of your rights and responsibilities in the special education system. (Located on the Tacoma Community College Campus in parking lot “I” as you enter from 12th Street; opposite side of the campus from TACID.)
Washington PAVE (Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment)
- Tacoma
PAVE provides support, training, information and resources to empower and give voice to individuals, youth and families impacted by disabilities. We envision an inclusive community that values the unique abilities, cultures, voices, contributions and potential of all individuals. PAVE’s online Helpline is available in multiple languages and the phone in English and Spanish. The Helpline is staffed 5 days a week and will make referrals to the many programs of PAVE. In addition to serving Pierce County some are also statewide for you, your family and those you know. In Pierce County: Person Centered Planning Program (PCP); Pierce County Parent to Parent (P2P); Paving a Unique Road for People on the Autism Spectrum (PURPAS); Spark Pierce County; and Start Now! Statewide programs include: the Family to Family Health & Information Center (F2FHIC); Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center; Lifespan Respite WA; and the Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP). Please visit our website for more information. (Located on the Tacoma Community College Campus in parking lot “I” as you enter from 12th Street; opposite side of the campus from TACID.)
Washington State 211 is a free confidential community service and your one-stop connection to the local services you need, from utility assistance, food, housing, health, child care, after school programs, elder care, crisis intervention and much more. 211 is always ready to assist you in finding the help you need. Dial 211 from anywhere in Washington State and you will reach a highly-trained information and referral specialist who will assess your needs and provide a list of referrals to available resources in your community. Washington 211 has a database of over 27,000 resources to help you find the right services. Referrals are usually given over the phone or can be emailed or text to you. In crisis situations a warm transfer can be made directly to crisis specialists or 911. TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing and interpreter services are also available in 140+ languages.
Washington State Combined Application Program (WASHCAP)
WASHCAP provides food assistance when you get SSI. You can qualify for WASHCAP if you: get SSI; are at least 18 years old; are not working; live alone or buy and fix your food apart from the other people who live with you.
Washington State Office of the Family and Children Ombudsman (OFCO)
- Tukwila
The Mission of the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds is to protect children and parents from harmful agency action or inaction, and to make agency officials and state policy makers aware of system-wide issues in the child protection and child welfare system so they can improve services. The Family and Children’s Ombuds investigates complaints about agency actions or inaction that involve: any child at risk of abuse, neglect, or other harm and a child or parent involved with child protection or child welfare services. We intervene in cases in which we have determined that an agency’s action or inaction is unauthorized or unreasonable. In addition to addressing complaints, we work to identify system-wide issues and recommend appropriate changes in public reports to the Governor, the Legislature and agency officials.
White River Community Activities Program (WRCAP)
- Buckley
The White River Community Activities Program (WRCAP or CAPS) provides healthy activities and opportunities for youth and families in the White River Community. From youth sports to before and after school programs to summer camps. Please visit our website for all we have to offer!
We provide energy assistance (Pierce County residents only) and basic food applications. We also offer evidence based parenting programs and links to community resources.
Wilson Clinical Services provides specialized services to the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and late deafened population throughout the state of Washington and the United States. These services are available to community centers, private individuals, group homes, prisons, courts, schools, and other places that are in need of specialized care.
WithinReach builds pathways to make it easier for Washington families to navigate complex health and social service systems and connect with the resources they need to be healthy and safe. We are the coordinated access point and lead affiliate in Washington for Help Me Grow - a framework for communities to maximize their existing resources to ensure everyone feels supported. Whether it’s early childhood development milestone screening, application assistance for health insurance, help finding a food bank, parenting class, or low-cost medical clinic, WithinReach is there to help. Families can access our support via the Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at (800) 322-2588 or via parenthelp123.org.
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. As an inclusionary non-profit organization, YWCA Pierce County provides assistance to survivors of domestic violence and their children. All survivors are welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, or sexual orientation. Bilingual staff and interpretation services eliminate language barriers and ease transitions for all of our clients. The YWCA serves over 15,000 adults and children annually, who are seeking help due to domestic violence. YWCA Pierce County is dedicated to transforming lives through safety, healing, and empowerment. Please visit our website for more information.
