The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) continues today to provide essential services to clients in areas affected by storm-related damage although several offices still remain closed.

Several offices along the coast and the Olympic Peninsula remained closed due to flooding, wind damage or power outages. Calls to those offices are being routed to alternate offices to help with the services people need. DSHS offices that are closed include those that help clients to access food and cash assistance, provide services for vulnerable adults, services for abused and neglected children, and services for individuals with disabilities.

The Shelton office at 2505 Olympic Highway North, Suite 440, reopened today, while the Forks office at 71 North Spartan, reopened today with limited services. 

Offices that remained closed as of Tuesday, December 4, include:

• Aberdeen Offices
  415 West Wishkah Street and 503 West Heron Street
• South Bend Office
  307 East Robert Bush Drive
• Long Beach Office
  2601 Pacific Highway
• Neah Bay Office
  1001 Bay View Avenue
• Chehalis Office
  151 NE Hampe Way

DSHS clients in these areas needing help with food and cash assistance can use the DSHS call center number at 1-877-980-9180. The calls will be routed to staff who will ask callers for their zip codes, home address, and identity information.

Reports of child abuse and neglect are also being rerouted. Callers are urged to report abuse to local numbers or 1-866-EndHarm (1-866-363-4276).

Foster parents and relative caregivers of children under state care can call 1-866-940-DSHS (3747), if they are displaced or adversely affected by the storm.

The processing of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards (food stamps) should not be affected by outages at local grocery stores and markets. Retail outlets that accept EBT have manual transaction alternatives, allowing store personnel to write down customer purchases.

Residential and other client care facilities, such as Western and Eastern State Hospitals, the Special Commitment Center, Fircrest and Rainier Schools,and Juvenile Rehabilitation institutions have back-up generators in the event that power is disrupted. No residential facilities, operated by DSHS, so far have been impacted by structural damage from the storm.

"The disruption caused by the storm can be particularly difficult for the vulnerable people DSHS serves, and our workers – many of who face storm-related turmoil in their own lives -- are doing whatever is needed to assist them," said Robin Arnold-Williams, DSHS secretary. 

Arnold-Williams also urged friends, family, and neighbors to check in with each other and focus attention on people with disabilities and vulnerable adults who may be without power and other resources needed to keep them safe and comfortable.