Rolling office reaches people who can't reach DSHS

YAKIMA -- Social services are coming to a neighborhood near you.

Two new "mobile offices" -- situated inside large trucks -- began traveling to community events and neighborhoods across the state this summer, offering government help to those in need.

The state Department of Social and Health Services received about $1 million in federal and private funding to purchase the vans, one of which is based in Yakima.

The trailer is equipped with air-conditioned private interview rooms, satellite phones and computers.

The goal is to reach people living in rural and remote areas of the state who may qualify for public assistance but either aren't aware of the services or are unable to make the trip to state offices, DSHS officials say.

The staff has seen positive results since the wheels started rolling last month, said Shannon Monroe, administrator of the Mobile Community Service Offices. Depending on the event and location, the van serves about 20 to 30 people a day.

On Friday afternoon, the trailer was parked on Naches Avenue between Chestnut and Walnut streets in Yakima, where Friday Night Live, a local nonprofit group, feeds the homeless.

Some of the regulars, while waiting in line for food, made their way across the street to the parked trailer.

Josefina Tapia was referred to the mobile office Friday by DSHS employees because the Quest EBT card, which is provided for food assistance, is not given after 3 p.m. at the offices.

"My baby needed form-ula for the weekend and this helped a lot," Tapia said.

Lisa Ortiz, who received mental health referral services, said she likes the environment of the mobile office.

"They are more gener-ous and outgoing here," Ortiz said of DSHS mobile employees. "I don't think they are as overwhelmed here. It's also more private and comfortable."

The staff also like the new setup.

In her 25 years as a state employee, Fran Cervantes said she has never felt something so "fulfilling" as being part of a mobile service.

"Today they are walking out with a card that will feed them tomorrow," Cervantes said. "At first I wasn't sure if it was going to affect people, but at our first event people were thanking us with hugs."

The Eastern Washington mobile office provides assistance in Spanish. The mobile office on the westside doesn't have Spanish-speaking staff but employees can always phone someone on the DSHS staff to get an interpreter.

"Today a Spanish-speaking family came asking where else we were going to be," Cervantes said. "Families are usually intimidated to go into the building, especially with all the immigration issues."

For locations and times,w call 877-501-2233 or go to www.dshs.wa.gov/MobileOffice.

* Viviana Buzo can be reached at 509-577-7675 or vbuzo@yakimaherald.com.