The Home and Community Services Behavior Support Trainers within the Residential Policy Unit provide training, consultation, and technical assistance to Home and Community Living Administration staff, contracted providers, and community partners who support clients with behavioral support needs in residential and community settings. These services are intended to strengthen provider skills, promote safe, person-centered supports, and help individuals remain stable in their homes and communities.
Each region has an assigned HCS Behavior Support Trainer who offers behavioral supports to providers serving people who have transitioned from state hospitals and acute care settings. Training and consultation offerings are described in the Behavior Support Training, Supports, and Consultation Catalog.
Instructor-Led Trainings and Continuing Education
Explore and register for upcoming training opportunities on the HCS Training Opportunities webpage.
Download the training schedule: July - December 2026 | January - June 2027 | Course Catalog
Continuing Education Credit
- For trainings approved for continuing education units, participants must attend the full course, participate in all activities, and complete the post-training evaluation.
- We encourage all our community providers to register for a CareLearn WA account.
CareLearn is an online training solution that provides accessible DSHS-approved training and continuing education on a variety of topics.
Consultation Supports
To request consultation support, contact your assigned HCS Case Manager to complete a referral form (DSHS 15-557).
The HCS Behavior Support Trainers do not provide crisis services. If you or an individual you support is experiencing a behavioral health crisis call or text 988 or contact your local crisis line. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911
- Behavior Support Consultation
Offered to providers with Residential Support Waiver contracted clients who are exhibiting challenging behaviors that are difficult to manage or have given 30-day notice to an Residential Support Waiver contracted client.
- Support to review Negotiated Service Plan/Negotiated CarePlan/Person Centered Service Plan.
- Review of Behavior Support Plan/Crisis Plan.
- Practical approaches to reach stabilization.
- Training provided to residential providers and staff.
- Identify additional resources and assist with coordination of services.
- State Hospital and Acute Care Transition Support
Emphasizes increased behavioral support for clients transitioning from a State Hospital/Acute Care hospital to a Home and Community residential setting and may include any of the following depending on the identified support needed:
- Pre-transition consultation with the client, residential provider, hospital discharge social worker, and HCS assessor/case manager.
- Review of Behavior Support Plans.
- Post-transition support to promote stabilization and provider support.
- Education and resources to help reduce re-admission to a state hospital or acute care setting.
Meet the HCS Behavior Support Team
- Nick Mehrnoosh – Region 1
Nicholas “Nick” Mehrnoosh is the Behavior Support Trainer for Region 1 within Home and Community Services.
He holds an MS in Psychology from Eastern Washington University, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Mental Health Professional in Washington state and has specialized training in suicide risk assessment and treatment.
Background spans clinical work with older adults living with neurocognitive conditions as well as children, adolescents, and families in programs such as WISe and Intensive Outpatient Services. He has taught university-level courses on Theories of Personality and Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families, helped pilot the DSHS Brain Injury Level 1: Capable Caregiving for Brain Injury training, and led research on the intersection of childhood trauma, executive dysfunction, and mild TBI.
Since 2018, he has served on the Washington Strategic Partnership Advisory Council, and he remains deeply committed to advancing TBI awareness and fostering meaningful support for clients, providers, and the broader community.
- Tam Butler – Region 2
Tam Butler is the Behavior Support Trainer for Region 2 within Home and Community Services since 2017.
Tam joined Home and Community Services, following a Social Services position in a Skilled Nursing Facility, as a Nursing Facility Case Manager in the Snohomish and King Counties. This role also included Case Management for the Residential Support Waiver services in SNF's and AFH’s.
Prior to immigrating to the USA from the UK, Tam taught Social Work students, Nursing Home Administrators and Caregivers to attain National Qualifications, and certifications to gain their licenses to practice. Tam attained her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Practice Teachers Award from Suffolk University, UK.
Her background includes working within the DDA group home and day care settings, Mental Health assessment and day care, Residential care and In-home care agency management, hospital Social Work and Psychogeriatric fields. Tam strives to promote equality and inclusion for all clients and to maximize their potential to attain their life goals.
- Jennifer Coggins – Region 3
Jennifer Coggins is the Behavioral Support Trainer assigned to Region 3 within Home and Community Services. She joined HCS in 2018 as a Social Services Specialist III with the Behavioral Support Unit, also supporting the SHDD and ACH teams.
Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has extensive experience in community-based health centers across roles including CNA, staffing coordinator, admissions and discharge planner, therapy and restorative services supervisor, social services coordinator, and behavioral support specialist for children and families. She is deeply committed to Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion and to promoting choice, independence, and safety through innovative services.
