Adult, early intervention and community information services

MAIL: 3580 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98418-7915
PHONE: (253) 798-6109
FAX: (253) 798-2806

Developmental Disabilities adult, early intervention and Community Information Services are programs of Pierce County Human Services. The Developmental Disabilities Programs contract with various agencies in the community to provide services for residents of Pierce County, and their families.

The Pierce County Development Disabilities program assesses needs, develops plans and services, contracts for and monitors service delivery. The program is responsible for county wide information and education, child development programs for children with developmental delays, from birth to three years, employment and community access programs for adults 21 and older and social security benefit analysis.

All services are guided by values which are the core of County delivered services in Washington. The County Guidelines are the basic benefits on which all services should be delivered:

Power and Choice - Making our own choices and directing our own lives;
Relationships - Having people in our lives whom we love and care about and who love and care about us;
Status/Contribution - Feeling good about ourselves and having others recognize us for what we contribute to others and our community;
Integration - Being a part of our community, through active involvement. This means doing things we enjoy as well as new and interesting things;
Competence - Learning to do things on our own or be supported to do things for ourselves; and
Health and Safety - Feeling safe and secure, and being healthy.

The Early Intervention Program serves eligible infants and toddlers age birth to three and their families. These services include early intervention, specialized therapeutic and/or educational services. Contact Family Resource Coordinators for more information.

The Adult Program contracts for and monitors service delivery of Employment and Community Access services for adults 21 years of age and older with developmental disabilities who are eligible for services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Adult services also include Personal Agent Services, Pathway to Employment, Fiscal Intermediary and Benefit Analysis. Benefit analysis is available to any age individual interested in employment.

Community Information services are to provide information and/or educate the general public about Developmental Disabilities and related services. Community Information services include information and referral services

Primary funding for all services comes from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and school districts.

The Pierce County Developmental Disabilities Board assists and advises Pierce County Human Services on services to individuals with developmental disabilities, the development of the Five-Year Plan, agency operations conducted under the Plan, including the selection of the Developmental Disabilities Coordinator, evaluation of ongoing programs, and the selection of contractors.

Board members have a responsibility to receive and provide information related to Board activities involving stakeholders, such as parents, individuals with disabilities, agency staff, and other interested community members. The Board serves as an advocacy body to promote the interest of persons with developmental disabilities residing in Pierce County.

The Board agenda and minutes are updated regularly.