Secretary Priorities

DSHS Secretary Priorities graphic featuring people power, community engagement, results-driven services. Download PDF for full details

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Announcing DSHS Secretary Priorities

May 1, 2026

We are excited to announce the DSHS Secretary Priorities. In her first 180 days as secretary, Angela Ramirez listened and learned from Tribal leaders, partners, people with lived experience and DSHS employees across the state. Those conversations shaped the new priorities, along with 2025 Employee Survey Data, and 2025 Client Experience Survey results. The DSHS Secretary Priorities will direct the agency’s allocation of resources and requests for future funding and policy advancements.

 

People Power 

Strengthen our care provider network, hire and retain hard-to-fill positions, and develop and support our talented workforce.

Community Engagement 

Bolster community, Tribal, legislative and labor partnerships with robust, strategic communication.

Results-Driven Services 

Improve processes, provide faster service delivery, and enhance the customer experience.

These connect to Governor Ferguson's customer experience priority: Make services more affordable, accessible, and person-focused. 

 

Secretary Priorities video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hyBCD2zBX0

 

Listening, learning, and connecting together:

Secretary Ramirez’s first year is focused on listening, learning, and connecting with communities across Washington. 

Listening and learning (days 1-180)

September 2025 - April 2026

Secretary Ramirez met with employees across DSHS as well as Tribes, community partners, labor leaders, legislative members, and people with lived experience to listen and learn about the areas where DSHS was doing well and what opportunities we have to improve customer experience and service delivery.

 

Connecting with community (days 181-360)

May 2026 - September 2026

Secretary Ramirez will visit DSHS offices across the state, meeting with community members, people with lived experience, partners, Tribal leaders, legislative members, labor organizations, and other agency leaders to deepen partnerships and gain further insights.

 

Launching Fall 2026:

DSHS will debut a new Strategic Plan website linking our strategic goals, action plans, and success measures to the Secretary’s Priorities.

 

 

 

“I want to thank our community, partners and staff for the insight, honesty, and dedication that helped shape the DSHS Secretary Priorities.” -DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez

 

For the 2025 - 2027 Strategic Plan under previous Secretary priorities, visit our pages here.