Arlington DHS presents $203 million FY26 budget with focus on racial equity, crisis response and school mental health

Arlington County Department of Human Services Director Anita Friedman presented the department's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget — roughly $203 million — on March 13 during a county board work session and described program growth, service demand and a slate of proposed budget additions and reductions.

Friedman said DHS serves about 50,000 residents annually across about 100 programs and would have roughly 820 staff in FY26 under the current proposal. She told the board that Medicaid is the single largest program with nearly 30,000 participants, SNAP serves almost 10,000 people and the department handles nearly 90,000 calls a year at its main customer service center.

DHS framed the budget and program decisions within a declared commitment to racial equity and a new department-level strategic plan. Friedman said DHS completed a SWOT analysis in 2023 and has four strategic priorities for the next five years: optimal health, housing stability, well-being and prevention, and economic security. She identified the department's REAP (Racial Equity Advancement Partners) work and a mandatory, three‑part training delivered in 58 sessions in 2024 as a concrete step to embed that focus in the organization.

Department staff described program areas seeking growth in FY26. Deborah Warren and other DHS presenters highlighted school-based mental health services, aging and disability supports, and addiction recovery work. The school mental health program — funded by board action last year for four clinicians — now serves students in seven…