Washington Connection Community Partnership Program

Latest News / Announcements

Created by DSHS in December 2010, Washington Connection provides information about a wide variety of services and offers customers the online option to apply for and renew services such as food, cash, childcare, long-term care, and assistance for people with disabilities.

The “See If I Qualify” pre-screening feature not only shows the customers what services they may be eligible for, it also displays many agencies’ websites where the customers can apply for additional services, such as employment, education and training programs.

Through continuous enhancements, more information becomes available on the “Find Services” page. Sixteen categories of services include those offered by non-profits, Tribes, and different types of government agencies.

Washington Connection also provides tools and resources for community partners that can help their customers apply for and renew benefits online.  These tools include the online registration, secure Partner Account, and “Client Search” feature. Resources available for partners include online tutorials, training webinars, marketing materials, newsletters, and consultations.

For those who are receiving services from DSHS or Health Care Authority, another feature called “Client Benefit Account” gives them the ability to monitor their benefit history, renew services, or update information online.  This reduces the need for them to call or visit the office.

Washington Connection continues to build partnerships with other agencies in community outreach.  The goal is to make services available to those in need so they can thrive in their communities.  Please encourage your customers to visit Washington Connection today: https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/   

Watch video here:

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05iVjo4clLk&feature=youtu.be

Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu9yuW7LjVs&feature=youtu.be

Upcoming Events

Community Services Division Extends Interview Hours

Effective January 9, 2018, Community Services Division (CSD) expanded the core interview service hours to 8AM – 3PM. This is an improvement for our clients and results in increased access through the Customer Service Contact Center (CSCC) telephone 1-877-501-2233 as well as in local Community Services Office (CSO) lobbies statewide. There are no changes to the EBT core service hours.

Regional Consultant Contact Information

Contact your Regional Consultant by clicking on the appropriate email address link below.  Please see the  Regional Map to identify your consultant.

Region Regional Consultant Name/E-Mail Phone
1- Eastern Washington Francesca.Naccarato@dshs.wa.gov 509-249-6477
2- North Anh.Ong@dshs.wa.gov 425-412-2799
3- South and West Joshua.Christiansen@dshs.wa.gov 253-476-7066

 

Are you a Paid Basic Food Contractor and have questions?  Please contact:
Bonnie Clark, Basic Food Education and Assistance (Outreach) Program Manager at Bonnie.Clark@dshs.wa.gov

Partnership in Focus  

Are you a Washington Connection Community Partner?  Does your organization have an inspiring community story or an upcoming event to share?   Would you like to share your short story here?  Please contact Stephanie Hill at (360) 725-4666 or Stephanie.Hill@dshs.wa.gov  for more information.

Are you a Community-based Organization wishing to provide additional services to your customers?

You are invited to join Washington Connection where people can easily and securely learn about and apply for a broad array of services and benefits online such as:  food, cash, and medical assistance; child care subsidies; long-term care services and support; and drug and alcohol treatment.  Washington Connection also provides contact information and links to other services that require a different application process.

Being a partner, you will: periodically receive updated information related to services or features   supported by Washington Connection, have a local contact for your questions, have the opportunity to attend community partnership meetings, network with other organizations, and provide feedback about Washington Connection.  You may also receive technical assistance and marketing materials as needed.

There are two partnership levels that describe the investment you would make to help applicants.

Service Level 1:

Host Organization (assist with one or more of the following functions)

  • Display posters and printed marketing materials about Washington Connection
  • Provide applicants with access to a computer with an icon to Washington Connection on the desktop
  • Provide applicants with assistance in answering questions about the Washington Connection website

Service Level 2:

Assisting Agency

  • Display posters and printed marketing materials about Washington Connection
  • Provide applicants with assistance in completing and submitting the online application (To protect the confidentiality of client information, Assisting Agencies will be required to fill out a Data Share Agreement and Non-Disclosure forms.)

In addition to choosing a service level, your organization must select the type of access you are able to provide:

  • Limited Access   Your address will not be published.  (Provide access toWashington Connection to your customers only.)
  • Public Access   Your address will be published. (Provide access to Washington Connection to the general public.)

To join, simply go to the Washington Connection  site, look for Register as a Community Partner under the "Community partner resources" navigation panel.

Resources

Contact

Stephanie (Hill) Hart,
Community Partnership Program Manager
360-725-4666
Stephanie.Hill@dshs.wa.gov

You may also want to visit:

Public Access Directory

Community Partnership Newsletter

Links

Tutorials

Documents

Forms & Publications