Washington Department of Social and Health Services

The Department of Social and Health Services celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2020, marking 50 years as Washington’s largest state agency. DSHS employs over 16,000 people, has a biennial operating budget of $13.9 billion, and provides critical services to nearly one in three Washingtonians. DSHS contracts with over 80,000 local government, private and nonprofit contractors to deliver these services, and operates over 140 field offices and 12 state-run facilities throughout Washington. DSHS provides and coordinates crucial services for people and their families who are most in need of help weathering life’s storms. Statewide, DSHS administers programs such as food and cash assistance, long-term care, services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health treatment for people in state-operated hospitals as well as those who are criminally justice-involved and waiting to receive competency evaluation and restoration services. DSHS serves nearly 30% of all Washington households, and nearly one-third of all services are delivered to children.

OUR VALUES ARE:

Honesty and Integrity: Leadership and service require a clear moral compass.

Pursuit of Excellence: It is not enough to get the job done, we must always challenge ourselves to do it better.

Open Communication: Excellence requires teamwork and a strong team is seen, heard and feels free to contribute.

Diversity and Inclusion: Only by including all perspectives are we at our best and only through cultural competency can we optimally serve our clients.

Commitment to Service: Our challenges will always exceed our financial resources, our commitment to service must see us through.