Community Resources

JBLM’s CYS offers a diverse range of programs for children and teens—including child care (from infancy through age 12), family child care, youth sports and fitness, school-age and teen services, and Parent Central for registration and support—ensuring developmental, recreational, and academic enrichment.

Services are delivered across multiple on-base locations (Child Development Centers, Family Child Care homes, and Youth Centers), with easy access to registration, health screenings, and background-cleared programs.

The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

The Center of Parent Excellence (C.O.P.E.) offers support, across the state of Washington, to parents and caregivers who are raising children and youth (ages 2-22) experiencing behavioral and mental health challenges in the home, school, and community.

The Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) program helps you find a dentist in your area who accepts Apple Health and provides education on how to take care of your child’s teeth and prevent cavities.

Food programs, financial assistance for rent, utilities and prescription medication, and other general resources.

The American Immigration Council works to shape fair laws, advocate for inclusive policies, and cultivate positive attitudes that reflect our nation’s immigrant heritage.

Seek immigration advice from a licensed professional.

Transitional housing for youth aged between 18 and 24 who are homeless.

The AFCS at JBLM provides a comprehensive suite of quality‑of‑life programs including education, financial counseling, deployment support, volunteer coordination, victim advocacy, family readiness and more—tailored for service members, military families, veterans, DoD civilians, wounded warriors, survivors, and retirees. It also operates the Army Family Web Portal, offering virtual access to these resources along with tools for submitting quality‑of‑life issues, finding volunteer opportunities, and staying connected.

The Community Resource Connection Center (CRCC) strives to connect individuals and families to additional resources in the community. Anyone in the community who is low income and/or anyone enrolled in a program of Associated Ministries is eligible to access CRCC services.

Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program provides employment readiness opportunities to Basic Food (SNAP) recipients who are not participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, all under the supervision of a journey-level professional. Apprentices get paid while they learn and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in a new career field.

The National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence exists to improve safety for gender-based violence survivors and their children.

Free confidential pregnancy support

Catholic Community Services' mission is to serve all people, especially the poor and most vulnerable, with compassion, love and respect.

The Center for Discovery provides residential and day treatment for all types of eating disorders, including:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Osfed
• Arfid
• Orthorexia Nervosa

The district offers free developmental screening during the school year for children between the ages 3 and 5 who are not yet kindergarten age.

Child Care Aware of Washington is dedicated to ensuring that every child in Washington state has access to high-quality child care and early learning programs. 

The Coffee Oasis Tacoma Youth Shelter: The Loft is a 12 bed DCYF licensed under-aged youth shelter that provides youth a safe and encouraging place to live while they work towards sustainable housing and employment.

Providing care for the uninsured, underinsured and low-income residents in East Pierce County.

Providing care for the uninsured, underinsured and low-income residents in East Pierce County

Providing care for the uninsured, underinsured and low-income residents in East Pierce County.

Providing behavioral health services to Pierce County including mental health treatment, substance use services, free counseling, and homeless outreach services.

A cooperative preschool is a parent/child participation program through Bates Technical College (BTC), providing early childhood education for children between the ages of 2 and 5. 

BTC Instructors provide training, technical assistance, parent information, and support to the cooperative preschool teachers.

Working in partnership with survivors, professionals, and the community to break down barriers and advocate for practices which promote safety and access for All survivors to create a haven where needs are met, children are protected, violence stops, families begin to heal and thrive, and hope is realized.

Professional resources for those experiencing domestic abuse/violence.

Emergency Food Network provides healthy, nutritious food to 75+ partners in Pierce County.

Request a mental health referral for children and teens in Washington.

Faith-based services for survivors of domestic violence

Healthy relationships help your family build a solid foundation that will get you through good times—and hard times. Practical strategies that can help strengthen your family. We can help.

Free or Low Cost Health Resources in Pierce County.

Greater Lakes offers a variety of mental health services for residents of Pierce County with Medicaid coverage and also helps clients obtain or re-establish Medicaid benefits.

Housing support for homeless young people.

Relatives Raising Children keeps families together by providing resources and support to caregivers in Pierce County who are raising children not theirs by birth.

Expanding access to immigration legal resources and information through collaboration and technology.

Learn about vaccines and where to find them in Pierce County.

Job Corps is the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24.

Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County is a group of agencies and professionals dedicated to improving child and adolescent mental health treatment and prevention in Pierce County.

Programs and services for all survivors of domestic abuse

Lutheran Community Services helps refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers rebuild their lives in a new country

Free immunizations for children

Mary Bridges provides a safe place for you and your child to grieve, supporting families with children between the ages of 4 and 18 who are grieving the death of a family member.

Community-focused nonprofit offering recreational programs & services for all ages.

The only provider in the area that offers a walk-in assessment clinic for adults and children receiving Medicaid benefits.

The specialists at the walk-in clinic offer in-person mental health assessments on a first-come, first-served basis.

My Service Mind provides culturally competent and linguistically appropriate services to refugees to help them adjust to their new country and integrate quickly to the mainstream culture.

NAMI Pierce County provides support, education, advocacy, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

NIJC provides legal consultations and representation for low-income immigrants seeking a wide range of immigration legal relief.

Explore the NILC Resource Library for expert-curated guides, toolkits, policy briefs, and more.

Confidential youth crisis support 24/7

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

Free medical services with great care

NoHLA is dedicated to creating a health care system that works for everyone and eliminating barriers and unfair practices that keep people from getting needed care.

Northwest Immigration Rights Project supports immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees, regardless of immigration status.

Oasis Youth Center transforms the lives of queer youth by creating a safe place to learn, connect, and thrive.

Oasis envisions a world in which queer youth are valued in the community as strong, creative leaders. Oasis is a youth-adult partnership in which young people and adults come together for shared teaching, learning and action.

Individualized support for women

Early identification and intervention for developmental delays in children from birth to age three are critical because this is a time of rapid brain development and growth. Addressing delays during this window can profoundly impact a child’s overall development and future potential.

If you have concerns about the development of a child under the age of 3, free screenings and services are available to Puyallup School District residents.

For additional information regarding these screenings/services, contact Pierce County Human Services at one of the following:

Homeless or fleeing domestic violence? Fill out this form and for a same or next day Coordinated Entry (CE) appointment to talk about housing.

The Pierce County Crisis Line is a free service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week that provides immediate help to individuals, families and friends of people in crisis throughout Pierce County.

Directory of available providers in Pierce County

Pierce County support for domestic violence

Eligibility for programs is based on age, family income, or other reasons that children would benefit from education, family support, and health services. Most children enrolled in ECEAP and Head Start programs are four years old by August 31, and some centers can enroll three-year-olds.

ECEAP has 8 classrooms in 7 locations across Pierce County, including Bonney Lake, Buckley, Eatonville, Orting, South Hill (offers dual language), Sumner, and University Place.

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) pays heating bills directly to utility companies for eligible applicants. Payments are based on eligible household’s fuel usage for the past 12 months and income.

The Pierce County Eviction Prevention program supports eligible low-income households with their past due rent.

Helps families deal with problems such as a child (age 13 to 17) running away or serious family conflict.

At-Risk Youth Program (ARY) -  Provides resources and support to young people and families who are experiencing conflict around safety-related concerns.

Child in Need of Services (CHINS) -  Obtain a court order mandating temporary placement (for up to six months) of a child in a residence other than the home of their parent.

List of food banks in Pierce County

The Pierce County Human Services Home Repair Program is funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program provides home repairs to income eligible populations in the form of a grant. 

Directory of organizations that help with legal problems (e.g., bankruptcy, child visitation, landlord tenant problem)

Provides early-age library resources, including recommended books to help teach children how to read, PCLS Early Learning and Family Events, and more.

Low-cost dental resources for all.

Talk to someone with experience who understands your situation.

Assistance for pregnant mothers and children under 2 that qualify

The Bill Discount Rate (BDR) program provides you with ongoing help on your monthly energy bill. Depending on your household income and household size, you can save 5% to 45% a month on your bill.

Food bank located in Puyallup providing Food Assistance

Access to computers, headphones, printer, scanner, and wifi access

Dental program for Puyallup Tribe members

Support for Pierce County survivors via advocacy and therapy.

Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives.

Free Children and teen grief support - complete "contact us" or call “Safe Crossings is able to offer short-term (3-4 sessions) bereavement support to Pierce county children and teens. There is no cost to families for services.”

Free short-term (3-4 sessions) in-person counseling for children grieving the loss of a loved one. Sessions will be coordinated with a guardian and may be provided at school.

A national youth outreach and prevention program for young people under the age of 18 (up to 21 years of age in some communities) in need of immediate help and safety. 

Developed in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and other organizations, the Safety Study Hall serves as a valuable starting point for learning and a comprehensive library of information and resources addressing various health and safety concerns for schools, students, and families/caregivers.

Cash Assistance for Food

Access to computers, headphones, printer, scanner, and wifi access

Providing basic needs assistance to those in East Pierce County

Pregnancy and infant case management support

Hardships happen, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, a federal law, ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth.

SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.

The Sumner Community Food Bank is a non-profit organization that provides nutritious food with dignity to our neighbors in need through donations and the work of dedicated volunteers.

Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) at JBLM provides long-term, personalized support to families of fallen service members—including grief counseling, financial and benefits guidance, support groups, and community events—regardless of branch, duty status, location, or timing of loss. Services are delivered at JBLM and nearby communities and honor survivors through Gold Star and Next of Kin lapel buttons and special recognition events.

Tacoma Community House offers a range of language and literacy programs from adult basic education classes to GED preparation to English Language Acquisition. Education quarter dates are winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Tacoma Community House is a Department of Justice (D.O.J.) accredited organization, meaning we are authorized and highly trained to provide immigration assistance to clients in need.

Our Immigration Specialists speak Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Japanese, but we serve individuals who come from different backgrounds and speak many languages.

Tacoma Community House provides free services and support to individuals who have been harmed by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and many other crimes.

The Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness is a network of individuals, non-profit organizations, government agencies, faith communities, and community businesses working together to end homelessness. 

Services include a list of safe sites, showers and day centers, overnight shelters and in-person coordinated entry locations for those in need of shelter/housing.

Connecting refugees, special immigrant visa holders and asylum seekers with the help they need.

Teen Line provides support, resources, and hope to young people through a hotline of professionally trained teen counselors, and outreach programs that de-stigmatize and normalize mental health.

Helpline for teens and resources on mental health

We offer support with college applications and admissions, and free educational workshops on a wide range of topics. Even if you are not sure where you would like to go next with your education, please come and visit us so that you can be sure you know all of your options.

If you are experiencing housing instability or homelessness, The ACT Program is here to support you. We serve youth ages 12 to 24 in Pierce County with individualized case management support to achieve housing stability. 

The Open Space empowers youth and young adults aged 12-24 to freely choose how they spend their time, whether it’s to relax, play, learn, or connect.

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.

Founded in 1998 , The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

Triple P is the world’s most widely researched parenting program with hundreds of clinical trials and real-world studies that prove it works for most families.

Washington Healthplanfinder is the place to shop for a health plan in Washington. We offer plans and savings you cannot get elsewhere, like Washington Apple Health (Medicaid), Cascade Care and Cascade Care Savings. If you live in Washington, you can apply for coverage through us.

If you live in the state of Washington, you can buy health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder, even if you are an immigrant who is undocumented. You do not need U.S. citizenship, a green card, or other immigration papers.

If you live in Washington State, are age 16 or 17, and want to be legally considered an adult, you can use this packet to ask the court to declare you emancipated.

Provides free and low-cost naturalization services across 12 counties and has helped more than 3,000 people successfully apply for U.S. citizenship in Washington State.

The Washington Recovery Help Line is a program of Crisis Connections. We offer an anonymous, confidential 24-hour help line for Washington State residents. This help line is for those experiencing substance use disorder, problem gambling, and/or a mental health challenge

Various resources - jobs, education, housing, budgeting, health, self-advocacy, LGBTQIA+

Provides valuable information for caregivers, providers, and educators in the areas of education, health, and development.

The Naturalization program provides citizenship services to legal immigrants who receive public assistance through cash, medical, or food assistance programs administered by DSHS.

Nutrition for pregnant women and/or children under 5.

Our mission is to steward the Pierce County Workforce Development System. We bridge the gap between job seekers, employers, and community organizations to build a robust workforce and ensure economic vitality across the region.

Financial Assistance for Childcare

Free tax return preparation, free income tax filing with IRS Direct File, and financial resources. 

Are you a teen struggling with substance use disorder? A parent who wants to talk with your kid about vaping? Maybe you want to learn more ways to help youth?

Emergency shelter for those who are survivors of domestic violence.