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