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If you or your family member has been determined eligible for the Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) and experiences an incident or situation that puts you or your family member at risk of hospitalization, institutionalization or loss of housing without additional support or intervention, DDCS may be able to help—even if you or your family member are not currently receiving services.

Emergency Services are available to clients of DDCS who are experiencing circumstances or events that are beyond the individual’s ability to cope/remain stable; and/or exceeds the ability of the individual’s caregivers to provide the necessary supports.

Emergency Services at a Glance

Individual and Family Services (All Ages) Individuals and families on the IFS waitlist who meet the IFS program eligibility requirements may be able to access respite care, behavior management or nursing services in response to a short-term crisis.

Enhanced Respite (Ages 8-17) Short-term respite in a DDCS contracted and licensed staffed residential home, with the goal for the youth to remain in their family home. Services are available for a maximum of 30 calendar days in a year. Offered in two locations: Shoreline and Bonney Lake.

Community Crisis Stabilization Service (Ages 8-17…up to 21 if in school) A state-operated community behavioral health stabilization program that provides intensive behavioral supports and collaborative treatment planning services for up to 180 days with the goal for the youth to remain in their family home. Services may be provided in an out-of-the-family home.

Mental Health Stabilization Services (Age 18+) Assists adults determined by mental health professionals or DDCS to be at risk of institutionalization in a psychiatric hospital without one of more of the following services: 1) Behavior management and consultation; 2) Specialized psychiatric services; or 3) Mental health crisis diversion bed services.

Short-Term RHC Admission (Ages 16+) If there is capacity at a residential habilitation center (RHC), short-term admission may be available for crisis stabilization purposes up to thirty days.Short-term stays longer than thirty days in a calendar year require approval by the director of DDCS.

To Request Help

If your family member is a client of DDCS and is at risk of hospitalization, institutionalization, or loss of residence without additional support, contact his/her DDCS case manager and request help. If you do not have a DDCS case manager, leave a message with your name and contact information, along with the name of the individual, and briefly state the situation:

Region 1

Spokane: 800-319-7116
Yakima: 866-715-3646

Region 2

Everett: 800-567-5582
Seattle: 800-974-4428

Region 3

Tacoma: 800-735-6740
Olympia: 888-707-12