Education Advocate resource page
Counseling/Mental Health Services National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI advocates for the needs of individuals with mental illness and their families. NAMI provides information and referral to community resources. It provides personal advocacy for mentally ill individuals on a limited basis.
NAMI Washington 500 108th Avenue NE, Suite 800 Bellevue, WA 98004 '
(425) 990-6404, (800) 782-9264
www.nami.org
Employment Services Job Corps
Job Corps offers education and training for people 16-24 years old who are low income and without a high school diploma. The young person must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien to be eligible.
(800) 733-JOBS
http://www.jobcorps.dol.gov
Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD)
The Washington Employment Security Department is the state agency responsible for employment issues. The ESD’s Employment and Training Division provides information for job seekers and employers. ESD has information centers throughout the State, which should be listed in the blue pages of your phone book.
The state office for the Employment Security Department is at:
212 Maple Park Avenue PO Box 9046 Olympia, WA 98507-9046
(360) 902-9500
http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal
Government Agencies Washington State Agencies--generally
A useful listing of all Washington State agencies can be found on the internet. www.access.wa.gov
Department of Health - Immunization Program
The Department of Health’s Immunization Program will direct you to the Community Health Center in your county that can provide you with immunizations and records.
(360) 236-3595 or (866) 397-0337
www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize/default.htm
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
OSPI is the state agency charged with overseeing schools. It monitors school districts to make sure they fulfill their obligations under the law.
OSPI investigates complaints and arranges for mediation and hearings in special education disputes. PO Box 47200 Olympia, WA 98504-7200
(360)725-6000, (360) 664-3631 TTY
www.k12.wa.us OSPI
Special Education Section PO Box 47200 Olympia, WA 98504-7200
(360) 725-6075
www.k12.wa.us/specialed
Assessment of Special Education Students (360) 725-6089
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
DSHS is a state agency that administers many public benefits and services programs. DSHS is divided into divisions. Several of the divisions are discussed below. A full listing can be found at the DSHS website. www1.dshs.wa.gov
DSHS Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
DCFS is the division of DSHS that provides child welfare services to children, youth, and families.
General Information – (360) 902-7920, (360) 902-7906 TDD
Region 1 – Spokane – (509) 363-3500
Region 2 – Yakima – (509) 225-6556
Region 3 – Everett – (425) 339-1830 Region 4 – Seattle – (206) 691-2500
Region 5 – Tacoma – (253) 983-6212 Region
6 – Olympia – (360) 725-6701
DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
DDD is the division of DSHS that coordinates state-funded services for clients with developmental disabilities. Possible services are residential and employment placement, respite and therapeutic support for families, and arrangement of Medicaid personal care.
DDD also monitors employment and residential programs for people with developmental disabilities. Main Office - (360) 725-3413
Region 1 – Spokane – (509) 329-2900, (800) 462-0624
Region 2 – Yakima – (509) -225-4620, (800) 822-7840
Region 3 – Everett – (425) 339-4833, (800) 788-2053
Region 4 – Seattle – (206) 568-5700, (800) 314-3296
Region 5 – Tacoma – (253) 404-6500, (800) 248-0949
Region 6 – Olympia – (360) 725-4250, (800) 339-8227
DSHS Community Services Division
Most basic needs assistance programs of DSHS are obtained at local Community Service Offices (CSOs). Individuals should apply at the office that serves their zip code.
The following services are available through the CSOs: Alcohol and drug treatment, food stamps, general assistance, grant diversion, refugee assistance, TANF, Washington Quest Card, Working Connections Child Care.
Region 1 – Spokane – (509) 227-2800
Region 2 – Yakima – (509) 225-7900
Region 3 – Everett – (425) 438-4971
Region 4 – Seattle – (206) 272-2140
Region 5 – Tacoma – (253) 476-7000 Region
6 – Olympia – (360) 725-4800
DSHS Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP)
ITEIP is a state program that coordinates early intervention services for families with children age birth to three that have developmental delays.
(360) 725-3500, (360) 407-1087 TDD
Family Health line: (800) 322-2588
DSHS Mental Health Division
The Mental Health Division of DSHS contracts with 13 Regional Support Networks (RSNs) for community-based mental health services. The RSNs provide or arrange for mental health services including assessment, treatment, case management, planning, support, and monitoring.
PO Box 45320 Olympia, WA 98504-5320 (360) 902-8070
Chelan-Douglas RSN – (509) 886-6318
Clark RSN – (360) 397-2130
Gray’s Harbor RSN – (360) 532-8665
Greater Columbia RSN – (509) 735-8681
King RSN – (206) 296-5213
North Central RSN – (509) 754-6577
North Sound RSN – (888) 693-7200
Peninsula RSN– (360) 337-4886
Pierce County-
Call the DSHS Mental Health Division at (800) 446-0259 for direct contact information for mental health agencies in Pierce County.
Southwest RSN – (800) 803-8833
Spokane RSN – (509) 477-5722
Thurston-Mason RSN – (360) 786-5830
Timberlands RSN – (360) 795-3118
DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
DVR is the division of DSHS that assists people with disabilities prepare for, obtain and keep employment. Vocational rehabilitation programs are custom-designed for each individual. DVR works in partnership with the community and businesses to develop employment opportunities for persons who have disabilities. Call the main number for contacts in your area of the state.
Main Number – (800) 637-5627
United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Western Division (OCR)
The Office for Civil Rights for the Department of Education investigates complaints of discrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance, such as schools.
915 Second Avenue, Room 3362 Seattle, WA 98174-1099
(206) 220-7800 (206) 220-7806 FAX
www.ed.gov/ocr
Office of the Family and Children’s Ombudsman (OFCO)
The OFCO was established to ensure that government agencies respond appropriately to children in need of state protections, children residing in state care, and families under state supervision due to findings of or allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Complaints can be filed with OFCO at
6720 Fort Dent Way, Suite 240 Mail Stop TT-99
Tukwila, WA 98188
(800) 571-7321
http://www.governor.wa.gov/ofco/contact.asp
Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO)
The OEO was created to assist elementary and secondary public school students and families in Washington. OEO can help families understand how the public school system works, how to find education related resources, and how to resolve conflict with schools.
Complaints can also be filed with OEO. For more information, contact OEO at
1110 Capitol Way South, Suite 304 Po Box 40004 Olympia, WA 98504-0004
(866) 297-2597
http://www.governor.wa.gov/oeo/
Hearings, Mediation, and Court Services Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)
The Office of Administrative Hearings is the state agency that conducts impartial, administrative hearings for other Washington State agencies. OAH hears special education due process hearings.
PO Box 42488 Olympia, WA 98504-2488
(800) 583-8271 (360) 586-6563 FAX
www.oah.wa.gov
Sound Options Mediation and Training Group, L.L.C.
Sound Options is the licensed mediation service used by Washington State OSPI. Mediation is the voluntary process used to help parents and school personnel work out their disagreements about a child’s education program.
PO Box 11457 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 – 5457
(206) 842-2298, (800) 692-2540
www.somtg.com
The Washington State Association of CASA/GAL Programs
WSACASA/GAL is the contact point for 28 local CASA programs around the state. When a child becomes a dependent of the state due to abuse or neglect, a judge may appoint a specially trained volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or Guardian ad Litem (GAL) through one of these CASA programs.
The CASA/GAL volunteer is responsible for gathering and analyzing background information for the court so that the judge can make a better informed decision in abuse and neglect cases. Only judges can appoint CASA/GAL’s.
603 Stewart Street, Suite 206 Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 667-9716, (800) 530-0045 (206) 667-9753 FAX
www.washingtonstatecasa.org
Housing Community and Youth Services
Provides Independent Living Skills Program for youth aged 16-21 who are in foster care or group care for at least sixty days after their 16th birthday. Also administers Transition Living Services program, which administers monetary funds to provide financial support for youth who have exited foster care and are moving into their own apartment.
711 State Ave, NE Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 943-0780, (888) 698-1816
www.communityyouthservices.org
Pierce County Alliance Youth Services
Administers the Independent Youth Housing Program (IYHP), which secures housing for youth aging out of foster care with case management and financial assistance. The goal is to help prepare foster youth to become independent and self sufficient so that over time youth will be less dependent on state assistance.
510 Tacoma Ave S Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 502-5491
www.pcayouthservices.org
Catholic Family and Child Service
Administers a Transitional Living Program to youth between the ages of 18-21, offering assistance and mentoring to help establish housing, employment or training and basic educational requirements.
5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C Yakima, WA 98908-3478
(800) 246-2962
www.ccyakima.org
TeamChild
TeamChild is a non-profit legal advocacy program for youth. It advocates for high-risk youth, helping to access their rights to education, mental and medical health benefits, and safe living situations.
Main Office - King County Spokane County Office 1225 South Weller St, Suite 420
1704 W. Broadway Seattle, WA 98144 Spokane, WA 99201
(206) 322-2444 (509) 323-1166
Pierce County Office Yakima County Office 715 Tacoma Ave. South 32 N. 3rd St, Suite 343
Tacoma, WA 98402 Yakima, WA 98901
(253) 274-9929 (509) 573-4993
Snohomish County Office 2731 Wetmore Ave. Suite 410 Everett, WA 98201
(425) 258-3132
Tutoring Services Learning Disabilities Association of Washington (LDAW)
LDAW provides a variety of services focused on the education and general welfare of children and adults who have learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, and related behavioral and social difficulties. LDAW offers tutoring for children and adults with learning disabilities. There is a sliding scale fee for tutoring.
16225 NE 87th Street, Suite B-4 Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 882-0820, (800) 536-2343
Treehouse
Treehouse provides enrichment support to King County children living in foster care or supervised by Child Protective Services or Family Reconciliation Services. Programs include: tutoring, clothing distribution, and funding for summer camp or community-based recreational and cultural activities. Treehouse also provides educational advocacy across the state.
2100 24th Avenue South, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 767-7000 (206) 767-7773 FAX
www.treehouseforkids.org