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.
Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services empowers Deaf and Deaf-Blind survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment to transform their lives, while striving to change the beliefs and behaviors that foster and perpetuate violence. We provide comprehensive services to individuals and families, community education, and advocacy on systems and policy issues. ADWAS is striving towards a healthy community that is free of violence and oppression. Services include: advocacy, children’s programs, counseling, education & outreach, posititve parenting, and supportive housing.
Associated Ministries is an organization that works with interfaith partners who are deeply engaged in transforming our communities. We work together toward lasting solutions to homelessness. As a crossroad for communication and cooperation, we engage and equip faith communities and persons of good will to address the many needs in Pierce County through advocacy, education, and service. Associated Ministries' Center for Direct Services works with families and individuals throughout Pierce County to build a stronger community by building stronger households. Many of our direct services focus upon housing as the foundation for dignity, stability, and growth. These services include providing Centralized Intake for Homelessness Intervention through Access Point for Housing (AP4H); assisting families and individuals with re-housing; working with faith communities to reduce barriers to housing and to create new affordable housing; and youth homelessness prevention. The Center for Direct Services strives to work with households from a strength-based approach, identifying the strengths and supports that a household already possesses, and connecting to community and more formal resources to help build toward self-sufficiency. In connecting to the community, we seek to engage volunteers in ways that are meaningful for the households and volunteers.
Casteele Williams and Associates Comprehensive Behavioral Health
Our work is to assist you through life's challenges, to provide you the tools you need to overcome the very real adversity you face and to help strengthen your resolve to establish a fulfilling life you are proud of. We find what works for your unique situation and help you find solutions that empower you first of all, for yourself and for those you care about in your life. Many life issues are inter-related. We offer in-house many related services to make this experience easier. We provide services for mental health, chemical dependency, domestic violence, parenting, and veterans.
Catherine Place seeks to improve the quality of life for women. By creating a gentle and sacred space, we encourage each woman to claim her dignity and worth, we welcome and honor her, and we provide opportunities for learning and spiritual growth. In loving compassion we are called to affirm the worth in one another. We are women empowering women: listening, learning and sharing, dreaming with one another, honoring diversity and all cultures, and building healthy relationships in families, neighborhoods, and communities. We are committed to addressing the particular needs of women who are materially poor, in transition, or facing the daily challenges associated with poverty, loss, violence, immigration and illness.
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.
Established in 2005 through an agreement between Pierce County and the City of Tacoma, the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center (FJC) serves the needs of domestic violence victims and their children by providing comprehensive victim services in one, central, safe location in downtown Tacoma. Clients visiting the FJC have access to a wide array of services, including: protection orders, safety planning, domestic violence education, victim support in criminal cases, spiritual support, transportation, counseling and support groups, division of child support assistance, DSHS assistance, housing, and other emergency assistance. Interpretation services are available for non-English speaking clients. The FJC comprises many community and government partners. Please visit our website for more information.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, we are here to help. You’ll find all the professional support and resources you need under one roof. Professionals from a wide variety of social service and government agencies have joined together to work at the Center to offer help and support to clients as they determine their next steps.
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.
Exodus Housing provides rapid rehousing (permanent housing), monthly rental assistance, and case management supportive services to low income households who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence. We can also serve families that may be attempting to flee from the abuser but has not had the opportunity to do so.
Since 1986 through our confidential shelters and programs we have offered the necessities of safety and life to domestic violence victims who are at highest risk. At first contact we do whatever it takes to get the victims and their children out of harm’s way. Besides our basic emergency services we provide an on-site technology center, survival self-defense classes, spiritual support, pet therapy, an animal kennel for victims’ pets, cars for families program, educational scholarships, relocation help and transitional housing.
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.
Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Callers to the hotline can expect highly trained, experienced advocates to offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information, educational services and referral services in more than 200 languages. Visitors to this site can find information about domestic violence, online instructional materials, safety planning, local resources and ways to support the organization.
Provides advocacy to victims of domestic violence. Advocates are housed at DSHS and the Family Justice Center. We also provide cultural specific domestic violence advocacy to African American women and an African American support group for survivors. We also offer stepping stones to the children who witnessed or who have been exposed to domestic violence. Call for more information.
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV)
The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence mobilizes our member programs and allies to end domestic violence through advocacy and action for social change. WSCADV is the leading voice to end domestic violence in Washington State. We improve how communities respond to domestic violence and are working to create a world where all people can live and love freely without fear. Our work includes: supporting our member programs, visionary leadership, and engaging the public. Founded in 1990 by survivors and their allies, WSCADV is a non-profit 501(c)3 network of domestic violence programs. Our member programs work tirelessly across the state to help survivors towards safety and freedom. Please visit our website for more information and resources.
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV)
The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence mobilizes our member programs and allies to end domestic violence through advocacy and action for social change. WSCADV is the leading voice to end domestic violence in Washington State. We improve how communities respond to domestic violence and are working to create a world where all people can live and love freely without fear. Our work includes: supporting our member programs, visionary leadership, and engaging the public. Founded in 1990 by survivors and their allies, WSCADV is a non-profit 501(c)3 network of domestic violence programs. Our member programs work tirelessly across the state to help survivors towards safety and freedom. Please visit our website for more information and resources.
The YWCA Support Shelter serves parents and their children who are fleeing domestic violence situations. The shelter provides basic needs for adults and their children for up to 90 days. During their stay, clients can access individualized case management, education, counseling, support groups, children's services, and 24-hour on-site advocacy. The shelter program is gender inclusive and also accepts pets. Those seeking shelter should call the 24/7 crisis line and complete a phone screening/lethality assessment.