Receives $200,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

OLYMPIA -- By Spring 2010, the state Department of Social and Health Services expects to "roll out" a new effort aimed at providing remote communities with greater access to its core services. The Mobile Community Services Office - a fully customized bus - will provide direct outreach to traditionally under-served communities, such as rural and elderly populations, by traveling to places where it has been difficult to get information and support.

The bus will be equipped with all of the amenities found in any of the 62 stationary CSOs across the state, including private interview rooms, and will be staffed to take applications, determine eligibility and provide eligible households with public assistance benefits for programs including Washington's food assistance program (Basic Food) and medical coverage for children.

The Mobile CSO will also operate as a response vehicle during disasters and severe weather events to accept applications and issue emergency benefits.

The economic downturn is affecting individuals, families and communities across the state and DSHS has seen a significant increase in demand for services. In the 12-month period of June 2008 to June 2009, the number of individuals and families receiving Basic Food benefits grew from about 299,000 households per month to more than 402,000.

Currently the Basic Food program brings about $100 million in federal food assistance benefits into state and local economies each month, helping more than 800,000 people put food on the table. However, DSHS estimates indicate that there are at least 156,000 additional income-eligible people still not accessing this vital nutrition assistance program.

"We are transforming the way we do business in order to better meet the needs of our customers," said Troy Hutson, assistant secretary of the DSHS Economic Services Administration. "By increasing access points to our services through efforts such as our online application, community partner networks and, now, the Mobile CSO, more people can receive the programs and resources necessary to help build healthier families and communities across the state."

Recently, DSHS was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help fund the Mobile CSO. DSHS will cover remaining costs using funds appropriated by the Washington State Legislature from the Food Stamp High Performance Bonus awarded to DSHS from the federal government for the Department's high food stamp payment accuracy rate. Additionally, the Department will seek matching funds from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, administered by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services.

"We are committed to strengthening and stabilizing communities in the Pacific Northwest, especially in these difficult economic times," said Anne Xuan Clark, program officer with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "The Mobile CSO is an exciting new way to reach more residents statewide and provide the critical services they need."

For more information about DSHS offices or services and to apply for benefits, please visit: https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/onlinecso/cover.asp.

For help finding healthy and affordable food in Washington state, please visit: http://www.foodhelp.wa.gov.

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DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.