Dungarvin Washington Supports Staff to Serve Adults with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

In an effort to better support it’s Tacoma community, Dungarvin Washington has been at the forefront of some creative programming for individuals served as well as ongoing staff development and education. “Every quarter, Dungarvin-Tacoma’s Habilitative Skill Building (HSB) and Complex Needs Pilot (CNP) programs put on a social event for participants and staff,” said Emily Nalker, Clinical Services Manager.

“Our last event was held at a local park and we had great turnout from both rosters. We put on a Kite Festival and barbeque, and everyone had a lot of fun!”

Kites, gliders, and bubbles galore were available for individuals to enjoy, along with other large lawn games, such as Connect Four, and even the always favored cornhole! Barbeque chicken, hot dogs and corn were on the menu. “We’re looking forward to our Q3 event, which will be a fall carnival held in late September,” Emily added.

Dungarvin Washington offers a behavior and habilitative support program based in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to serve adults with autism and similar developmental disabilities.

Started in January 2021, the program began at Dungarvin’s Tacoma location but has since expanded to Olympia and Vancouver as well. HSB helps transition individuals coming out of restrictive settings, such as residential habilitation centers, diversion programs, hospitals and prisons. The program is meant to fill the gap in community resources that exist for adults with autism.

The behavior and habilitative support program has oversight from a licensed, board-certified behavior analyst and is staffed by a team of clinicians with extensive backgrounds in supporting adults and children with autism. HSB offers individual and group sessions, quarterly social events, behavior analytic assessment/support plans and intensive staff training.

The CNP is a state-funded pilot in Washington focused on serving individuals in the community who are in crisis, experiencing extended hospitalization or transitioning from restrictive settings. Using enhanced daily rates, CNP provides the financial resources for Dungarvin to offer higher staffing wages, funding for clinical programming (i.e., social activities, incentive systems, materials/assessments) and the ability to sustainably fund and retain Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), as well as qualified clinicians, to work under their supervision.

CNP funded more than 30 beds throughout the state last year and Dungarvin Tacoma filled six of those spots, transitioning individuals in need of support between August and October of 2024. Dungarvin and other participating agencies continue to lobby the Washington State Legislature to formalize and expand the service line moving forward into 2026 and beyond.

“The opportunity to provide specialized clinical programs equips us to successfully serve more diverse and complex individuals in a community setting,” said Kendra Ellis, Dungarvin Senior Director. “One of the greatest benefits we’ve realized has been increased engagement in community activities with peers and community members. Events like the Kite Festival demonstrate the success of staff commitment and highlights the progress the people we serve have made.”

If you or a loved one are interested in accessing services provided by Dungarvin, please contact your DDA Case Resource Manager for a referral. We look forward to supporting you how you want to be supported.