Human Services implements the City's initiatives and oversees the programs it funds by building on and promoting the capacity, skills, and strengths of people in neighborhoods and other social networks to help meet the needs of Tacoma residents. This section also addresses the needs of homeless individuals and families by encouraging the development of strategies for linking persons served to available housing resources or helping them develop the resources and skills to be more stable in their housing.
Planning & Contracting
Facilitating community-wide solutions through strategic funding of effective human services programs and proactive partnerships. Responsible for developing and implementing the Human Services Strategic Plan through a contracting process with local public and non-profit agencies. Every human services contract contains provisions for Outcome Based Evaluations that measure the impact of services in the lives of City residents.
Child Care Aware (formerly Child Care Resource & Referral)
This program works with parents, child care providers, businesses, and community organizations to help promote the availability, affordability, and quality of child care services in Pierce County. The program provides parents with child care referrals and information on evaluating quality child care, plus resources on various parenting issues. The program offers child care providers access to valuable training and support services for new or established programs.
Senior Services
The City of Tacoma owns and operates the Beacon and the Lighthouse Activity Centers for residents of Tacoma aged 50 years and older. Each center provides a comprehensive array of programs designed to improve and maintain health, stimulate learning, and provide socialization, recreational, and volunteer opportunities. Services include a daily nutritional lunch and transportation for those who no longer drive.
Housing First
An innovative model to help homeless individuals move to permanent supportive housing. Another objective of this program is to clean and permanently close homeless encampment sites around the City.
Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness
The Coalition's goal is to end chronic homelessness in the next ten years, prevent its recurrence, and decrease its effect on the community. The Coalition also provides resources and referrals for many services vital to the homeless individual.
Tacoma Gang Reduction Project
Youth involvement in gangs and youth violence is once again on the rise. The Tacoma Gang Reduction Project is working to reduce and prevent gang violence through prevention, intervention and suppression efforts.
Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Initiative
Having an engaged, vibrant, and productive citizenry is at the heart of a thriving community and economic development. The City of Tacoma has joined jurisdictions all over the state to implement a 0.1% increase in the sales tax for chemical dependency, mental health treatment services, or therapeutic courts.
Human Services Commission
The commission conducts public hearings, accepts and reviews proposals, selects projects and makes recommendations to the City Council. Also serves as a resource to the City Council and City Staff for implementation of the City's Human Services Strategic Plan. Commissioners needed to fill August 2012 vacancies.
Email contact for this page
Human Rights and Human Services Department
747 Market Street, Room 836, Tacoma, WA 98402
253-591-5151 (voice) | hrhs@cityoftacoma.org | 253-591-5050 (fax) | 253-591-5153 (TTY)
People with hearing or speech impairments may contact us through Washington Relay Services 1-800-833-6388 (TTY or ASCII); 1-800-833-6386 (VCO); or 1-877-833-6341 (STS)