2019 DSHS News Releases

Welcome to DSHS' news releases for 2019. You may search by keyword and release number.

To read archived news releases, please choose the appropriate year below:

SPOKANE – The Department of Social and Health Services’ Eastern State Hospital and the Spokane Police Department are collaborating together with the implementation of a new in-patient program – Community Outreach with Patients through Affirmative Law Enforcement Conversations or COP TALK.

COP TALK was spearheaded by a nurse at Eastern State Hospital who also became a Spokane reserve police officer, when she saw an opportunity for officers to better respond to individuals experiencing ...read the full news release

 

OLYMPIA - The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants that will improve the lives of nursing home residents and provide the staff that serve them with access to additional training. The grants are funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are part of the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP). When nursing homes are fined ...read the full news release

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services’ Adult Protective Services has a new centralized intake phone number to receive all reports of suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The new phone number is 877-734-6277 and will direct all callers to staff located in Lacey.

“Previously, we’ve ...read the full news release


DSHS falls short on Lakeland Village survey in Medical Lake

Sep 15 2019

DSHS Office of Communications, Lisa Copeland, 3609027844

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services received notification on Sept. 13 that Lakeland Village, a residential habilitation center for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, is being placed in a “denial of payment” status and will not be able to access federal funds for new residents.

The notification comes as the result of a survey last month when inspectors from ...read the full news release


Western State Hospital receives Achievement Level Baldrige Award

Sep 12 2019

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Von Holtz, 360-902-7739

OLYMPIA—Leadership from the Department of Social and Health Services’ Behavioral Health Administration and Western State Hospital will accept the Achievement Level Award for the regional Baldrige Program during the Performance Excellence Northwest’s annual Learning Symposium, Tuesday, Sept. 17.

“This award signifies that ...read the full news release