Human Services
We must continue to provide a state safety net to protect our most vulnerable individuals. Washington’s children, seniors and people with disabilities must be treated with professionalism, dignity and respect.
Significant progress was already made in the 2007–09 biennial budget to assure that vulnerable children and adults have access to services by high-quality providers. The budget provided increased reimbursement and supports to foster parents as well as improved wages for community services providers for the elderly, developmentally disabled and mentally ill. Families were strengthened through expanded resources for kinship caregivers who care for children and adult family members in need of assistance. Nearly 400 new residential placements were added for individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as increased employment and day services. In addition, the budget included improved protection for vulnerable children and adults through continued implementation of monthly visits of children in the state’s care, improved quality assurance of adult family homes and better monitoring of supported living facilities.
Governor Gregoire proposes to make focused investments to continue our progress in child safety, make sure those who have served our country have access to a safety net and assure that citizens can be served in their communities. She also proposes to fill some of the gaps created by federal funding decreases to stabilize services to those most vulnerable and to respond to requirements of legal action.
Reductions in caseloads and/or savings in the average cost of services per client will help pay for the essential items identified in her budget.
| Additional Information |
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| Agency Activity Inventory - The Agency Activity Inventory summarizes the major activities of each budgeted agency within Washington State government. |
| Printable Budget Highlights - Download a printable version of Governor Gregoire's budget and policy highlights for Human Services in Adobe PDF. |
| Key Agencies That Contribute to This Area |
| Home Care Quality Authority |
| Social and Health Services, Department of |
| Administration and Supporting Services (DSHS) |
| Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DSHS) |
| Children’s Administration (DSHS) |
| Developmental Disabilities (DSHS) |
| Economic Services Administration (DSHS) |
| Information System Services (DSHS) - no supplemental changes |
| Juvenile Rehabilitation (DSHS) |
| Long Term Care (DSHS) |
| Mental Health (DSHS) |
| Payments to Other Agencies (DSHS) |
| Special Commitment Program (DSHS) |
| Vocational Rehabilitation (DSHS) |
| Veterans Affairs, Department of |