About the Department of Community and Human Services
The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) manages a wide range of programs and services to assist the county's most vulnerable and troubled residents and strengthen its communities. These include aging, developmental disabilities, housing and community development, mental health, public defense, substance abuse prevention and treatment, unincorporated area council liaisons, veterans' services, women's program services, work training programs, and youth and family services.
DCHS is also responsible for providing leadership and coordination to the Committee to End Homelessness in King County and its Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, as well as oversight and management of the revenues from the Veterans and Human Services Levy and implementation of its Service Improvement Plan and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Levy and implementation of the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan.
DCHS provides services mainly through contracts with community-based agencies. As a primarily regional services department, DCHS plays a strong role in the coordination of the region's human services infrastructure.
Divisions in DCHS
Coordination of resources and services is accomplished through the efforts of staff in the director's office and four divisions: Community Services Division (CSD); Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD); Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division (MHCADSD); and the Office of the Public Defender (OPD). Find out more.
2009 DCHS Business Plan
The 2009 Business Plan is the strategic plan for DCHS, providing details on the policy direction, mission, goals and priorities for the year, as well as the key objectives and strategies for achieving these goals. The Business Plan also describes the 2009 Performance Measures that have been established to record and report on the department's progress. View the Plan. (PDF)
DCHS Performance Measures
The 2008 Business Plan included a set of performance measures that have been established to record and report on the department’s progress in achieving its goals and objectives. On an ongoing basis, the department tracks performance measurement through quarterly status reports – called dashboards – that monitor progress during the year. Find out more.
Framework Policies for Human Services
The Framework Policies for Human Services adopted by the King County Council in 2007 set the priorities for using the county's discretionary current expense funds and clarify the county's role in human services. Find out more.
Our Mission To enhance the quality of life, protect rights, and promote the self-sufficiency of our region's diverse individuals, families and communities. |
Our Vision The Department of Community and Human Services supports and maintains vital communities, families and individuals. |
Our Goals
1. Provide effective prevention and intervention strategies for those most at-risk and most in need to prevent or reduce more acute illness, high-risk behaviors, incarceration and other emergency medical or crisis responses
2. Provide job readiness, education and employment services to help vulnerable youth and adults increase independence and self-sufficiency and lead more meaningful and productive lives
3. Develop and implement stronger prevention measures to avoid or prevent homelessness, and create or preserve supportive housing for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to achieve the goal of ending homelessness
4. Continue to develop and provide services that reduce the growth of emergency medical and criminal justice system involvement and costs
5. Assure quality public defense services
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