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:

 

DSHS hosts career fair Friday in Lacey for new Residential Treatment Facility

Feb 19 2019

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Stowe, 360-902-7739

OLYMPIA- The Department of Social and Health Services is hosting a career fair in Lacey for several positions open at a new 30-bed Residential Treatment Facility from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, February 22.

DSHS is looking to hire Institution Counselors, Recreational Specialists and Registered Nurses for this RTF that will be on the grounds of Western State Hospital. Although on its grounds, this facility is separate from Western and the facility and staffing falls under the DSHS Office ...read the full news release

Photo exhibit will feature people living well with dementia

Feb 14 2019

DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright,

OLYMPIA - Someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease every 65 seconds. In Washington state, more than 110,000 people live with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.

“For many, and for too long, such a diagnosis has meant fear, shame and social isolation,” said DSHS Dementia Care Program Manager Lynne Korte. “But there’s a new dementia story being told — a story of connection, purpose and courage.”

That story will be on display at a special photo exhibit at the State ...read the full news release

DSHS announces February food benefits available in January for many SNAP recipients

Jan 14 2019

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Stowe, 360-902-7739

OLYMPIA—The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced that due to the partial federal government shutdown, most clients will receive their basic food benefits for February by Jan. 20.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is directing state agencies to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as Basic Food in Washington, February benefits by Jan. 20, 2019 to minimize the potential impact of any lapse in ...read the full news release

Special Commitment Center resident dies after suffering head injury

Jan 03 2019

DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright,

Jerry Spicer, 63, passed away Thursday, Jan. 3, a day after he suffered a head injury during an incident at the Special Commitment Center (SCC) on McNeil Island. Spicer fell and hit his head after an altercation with another resident Wednesday evening in the cafeteria. He was transported to Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McCord and later succumbed to his injuries there. Spicer was detained at the SCC in 2005 and committed in 2009 after a Grant County court determined he met ...read the full news release