About RDA > Mission

RDA's  Mission

Research and Data Analysis (RDA)  provides valid, rigorous, and policy-relevant analyses of government-funded social and health services in the State of Washington.

Overview: To provide analytical information and answer customer questions regarding risk, need, demand, use, supply, cost and outcomes of the human services that DSHS provides. These include: 

• economic assistance,

• food stamps,

• medical assistance,

• long-term care for the frail, elderly and persons who are disabled,

• investigative and protective services for abused or neglected children and dependent elders,

• mental health treatment,

• alcohol and other drug treatment,

• vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities,

• community and institutional care for persons with developmental disabilities,

• child care subsidies,

• institutional and community services for juvenile offenders, and

• refugee services.

A unique RDA specialization is the analysis of clients who use services from multiple DSHS programs. 

Customers for this information are agency managers, the Governor's Office, the legislature, other local, state and federal agencies, and the general public. 

RDA also houses the Human Research Review Board, which protects the privacy and confidentiality of clients and members of the general public who are subjects in any research project in the jurisdiction of DSHS or DOH