Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

General information

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is Washington's largest state agency. In any given month, DSHS provides some type of shelter, care, protection and/or support to 2.6 million of our state's 7.1 million people.

DSHS is divided into six direct service administrations and two support administrations. Across the department we have a single mission: to transform lives.

As a Department we are tied together by a single mission: to transform lives. Each administration within DSHS has a refined focus on this mission. Individually we have the following missions:

Aging and Long-term Support Administration – to transform lives by promoting choice, independence and safety through innovative services.

Behavioral Health Administration – to transform lives by supporting sustainable recovery, independence and wellness.

Children’s Administration – to transform lives by protecting children and promoting healthier families through strong practice and strong partnerships with the community and tribes.

Developmental Disabilities Administration – to transform lives by creating partnerships that empower people.

Economic Services Administration – to transform lives by empowering individuals and families to thrive.

Rehabilitation Administration –to transform lives by creating pathways for self-sufficiency through meaningful partnerships, employment, new opportunities and effective rehabilitation.

Financial Services Administration – to transform lives by promoting sound management of Department resources.

Services and Enterprise Support Administration – to transform lives by helping those who serve succeed.

Values
DSHS is also tied together by the following set of values:

Honesty and Integrity – because leadership and service require a clear moral compass.

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

Open Communication – because excellence requires teamwork and a strong team is seen, heard and feels free to contribute.

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

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

Vision
People are healthy,
People are safe,
People are supported,
Taxpayer resources are guarded