Arlington Department of Human Services presents FY26 budget priorities as demand grows across programs

Arlington County Department of Human Services leaders on March 13 outlined their proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and described growing demand across Medicaid, SNAP, behavioral health and housing-related services.

The presentation, delivered by DHS Director Anita Friedman and deputy Deborah Warren, said DHS serves roughly 50,000 residents annually through about 100 programs and expects roughly 820 staff in FY26. The department described a multiyear rise in expenses and full-time equivalents driven by growth in direct services and federal and state grant activity.

Friedman and Warren said DHS has re-centered work around racial equity since 2022, created a racial equity implementation plan and worked with internal partners (REAP — Racial Equity Advancement Partners) to deliver mandatory training for more than 800 staff. DHS also described a department-level strategic plan under development that will focus on optimal health, housing stability, well-being and economic security.

Why it matters: DHS is the county’s largest human-services operation and houses Medicaid eligibility, a call center handling tens of thousands of calls annually, school-based health services and shelter and housing-assistance programs. Budget choices in DHS will affect food security, homelessness prevention and behavioral-health crisis response at a time of federal funding uncertainty, department leaders told the board.

Key program highlights and pressures - Call center and benefits: DHS reported nearly 90,000 calls at the…