The Arlington County Department of Human services (DHS) is shaping a plan for the next five years to meet community needs in areas like health, housing, child and family services, economic stability, mental health and substance use, disability services, and other safety net services. 

The plan will guide efforts to create a just and equitable community by setting clear priorities and corresponding actions to address disparities.

By ensuring that policies and services are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and accessible to everyone, the Strategic Plan will help align the Department’s mission with specific initiatives designed to meet community needs and dismantle systemic barriers to health, safety, and economic security. It will also promote accountability by setting measurable goals for the Department and tracking progress toward a community where every resident can thrive without facing racial inequities. 

Optimal Health

Arlington DHS helps people in need to access the resources they need to be healthy and thrive. 

• We connect people to physical health treatment, at nonprofit and County clinics.
• We provide mental health and substance use treatment for people in need.
• We support people with developmental disabilities.

Housing Stability

Arlington DHS helps people in need to stay housed.  

• We help them rent affordable apartments.
• We work with landlords to prevent eviction. 
• When people are unhoused, we provide shelter and help them find housing.
• We support people who need services to stay in their homes – such as people with disabilities and older adults.  

Well-Being and Prevention

Arlington DHS promotes well-being and safety for all residents, particularly residents in need. 

• We prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults, and help caregivers access the resources they need.
• We prevent the spread of diseases like rabies, tuberculosis, and COVID.
• We help to prevent behavioral health crises like opioid overdose.  When crises happen, we respond to help people stay safe and recover. 

Economic Security

Arlington DHS helps people in need access resources to meet their needs and achieve their goals.

• We help people apply for state benefits like Medicaid and SNAP.
• We help people prepare resumes, take job training, and apply for jobs. 
• We help people access child care.
• We coordinate with other organizations to help people in need access food. 

FAQs also available in: Amharic(PDF, 109KB)  Arabic(PDF, 109KB)  Bengali(PDF, 92KB)  Mongolian(PDF, 48KB)  Russian(PDF, 61KB)  Spanish(PDF, 72KB)

What is the Arlington County Department of Human Services?

As the anchor of Arlington County’s safety net system, the Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS) is an integrated agency with a staff of over 800, providing services across five core areas: aging and disability services; behavioral healthcare; child and family services; economic independence; and public health. In addition, DHS works in close partnership with nearly 50 nonprofit organizations to meet the full range of community needs. DHS is Arlington County’s largest department, serving over 58,000 individuals per year, in programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, housing subsidies, public health services, school health clinics, adult protective services, child welfare, and Community Services Board (CSB) programs for people with mental health, substance use, or developmental needs.

The Arlington County Department of Human Services works toward a vision of a just and equitable community that is healthy, safe, and economically secure, and free of systemic racism. The Department’s mission, in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, is to create equitable access to the resources and opportunities needed for every community member to be healthy, safe, and economically secure.

A human services strategic plan is a comprehensive document detailing a human services department’s mission, goals, and strategies for delivering essential services to the community. It can act as a roadmap for addressing the complex and ever-changing needs related to health, social well-being, and economic stability, ensuring that a jurisdiction remains responsive and effective in supporting its residents.

The Arlington County Department of Human Services is creating a strategic plan to fulfill the department’s vision and mission. The plan will guide efforts to create a just and equitable community by setting clear priorities and corresponding actions to address disparities. By ensuring that policies and services are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and accessible to everyone, the strategic plan will help align the department’s mission with specific initiatives designed to meet community needs and dismantle systemic barriers to health, safety, and economic security. It will also promote accountability by setting measurable goals for the department and tracking progress toward a community where every resident can thrive without facing racial inequities.

The Arlington County Department of Human Services Strategic Plan will focus on outcomes in the areas of:

• Physical and Behavioral Health
• Housing Stability
• Safety, Prevention, and Well-Being
• Economic Security
• Inclusive Community Connections
• Organizational Capacity

The Arlington County Department of Human Services is seeking community input to understand the needs of Arlington County residents and develop a Human Services Strategic Plan to address them.

The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete.

You can access the survey here.

The survey is also being administered at various Department of Human Services and community locations.

The survey will be open October 28-December 2, 2024.

Yes, the survey is designed to be anonymous to encourage honest and candid feedback. Your responses will be kept confidential.

Yes, the survey is available in English, and in six additional languages: Arabic (العربية), Amharic (አማርኛ), Bengali (বাংলা ), Mongolian (Монгол), Russian (Русский), and Spanish (Español).

The survey results will be used to understand and improve community services provided by the Arlington County Department of Human Services, and to align strategic planning with the community’s needs.

Information about the Arlington County Department of Human Services Strategic Plan and associated data can be found here.

Will there be any focus groups conducted?

Yes, a small number of people who have used Department of Human Services programs and services will be invited to participate in a focus group. If you are interested, please click here.

Who can I contact for further information and support?

Please contact our support team at team@carrington-consulting.com for more information and support. 

The Arlington County Department of Human Services is seeking community input to understand the needs of Arlington County residents and develop a Human Services Strategic Plan to address them. A strategic needs survey is one of tools we are using to assess community needs. The survey results will be used to understand and improve community services provided by the Arlington County Department of Human Services, and to align strategic planning with the community’s needs.

The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete, and you can access it here. The survey is also being administered at various Department of Human Services and community locations between October 28 and December 2, 2024.

Is my participation in the survey anonymous?

Yes, the survey is designed to be anonymous to encourage honest and candid feedback. Your responses will be kept confidential.

Is the survey available in multiple languages?

Yes, the survey is available in English, and in six additional languages: Arabic (العربية), Amharic (አማርኛ), Bengali (বাংলা ), Mongolian (Монгол), Russian (Русский), and Spanish (Español).

Will there be any focus groups conducted?

A small number of people who have used Department of Human Services programs and services will be invited to participate in a focus group. If you are interested, please click here.

Who can I contact for further information and support?

Please contact our support team at team@carrington-consulting.com for more information and support.

Why are we leading with race?

Our new guiding principles are different in that they center race. This is essential because racial inequities persist in every system across the country, without exception: Health, Education, Criminal-Legal, Employment, and so on.

We will lead with race because when you look within other dimensions of identity — income, gender, sexuality, education, ability, age, citizenship, and geography — there are inequities based on race. Knowing this helps us take a more intersectional approach, while always naming the role that race plays in people’s experiences and outcomes. Our work will be race explicit, but not race exclusive.

Vision:

A just and equitable community that is healthy, safe, and economically secure, and free of systemic racism.

Mission:

In solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, create equitable access to the resources and opportunities needed for every community member to be healthy, safe, and economically secure.

Values:

Racial Equity

DHS intentionally removes structural and historical barriers for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and provides the resources and supports that meet each person’s unique circumstances and needs.

Access

DHS customers receive equity-driven services with ease, choice, and dignity.

Inclusion

DHS programs are stronger when they honor and recognize the diverse voices, cultures, and individuality in the community and Department. DHS responds to community and staff needs by building relationships, listening to lived experiences, and taking meaningful action to ensure equitable representation, participation, and decision-making.

Authenticity

DHS values the voices of its staff, and is invested in creating a work environment in which employees are supported, passionate about what they do, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Accountability

DHS pursues continuous improvement, shares information in a transparent manner, and collaboratively works toward outcomes that eliminate racial inequities.