2020 DSHS News Releases

Welcome to DSHS' news releases for 2020. You may search by keyword and release number.

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

 

DSHS launches virtual reality training to develop patient empathy at Western State Hospital

Dec 10 2020

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

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services is using the latest in state-of-the-art technology to enhance its efforts around safety and patient empathy at its oldest and largest 24/7 facility – Western State Hospital.

To create the five-part virtual reality training, the agency used funding provided by the state Legislature and Governor Jay Inslee for safety and training investments. On the first day of orientation, new employees put on a high-resolution virtual reality ...read the full news release

DSHS to provide Rapid Response Nursing Teams to long-term care facilities heavily impacted by COVID-19

Dec 03 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright, (360) 628-1043

OLYMPIA — The Department of Social and Health Services is using $1.3 million in CARES Act funding to contract with temporary nursing agencies to provide six Rapid Response Crisis Staffing teams that will be deployed to long-term care facilities facing staffing shortages during the pandemic. More than 400 of the state’s roughly 4,100 facilities are currently reporting active cases among residents or staff.

“As COVID-19 cases spike across Washington state, many long-term care and ...read the full news release

DSHS urges caregivers not to give in to COVID-19 fatigue during the holidays

Nov 24 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright, (360) 628-1043

OLYMPIA — Throughout the pandemic, Washington state’s caregivers have given crucial care to those most susceptible to COVID-19. Statewide, roughly 840,000 family caregivers work an estimated 770 million hours and provide $11 billion in unpaid essential assistance to loved ones, friends and neighbors each year. More than 30,000 parents and paid caregivers take care of Washingtonians with developmental disabilities. 46,000 in-home caregivers help Medicaid clients continue to live independently ...read the full news release

DSHS seeks public comment on proposed behavioral health facility in Lewis County

Sep 03 2020

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

OLYMPIA -- The Department of Social and Health Services is proposing construction of a behavioral health facility in Lewis County and needs public input.

The agency hopes the public will take part in a virtual meeting to be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2020 to give comment on the proposed facility located at the old Maple Lane School site, owned by the Department of Corrections. The location address is 20311 Old Highway 9 SE, Centralia, WA 98531.

The ...read the full news release

August is Child Support Awareness Month

Aug 18 2020

DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833

OLYMPIA—During these tough economic times, many families are concerned about how they will support their children. The Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Child Support wants to remind parents this month, officially proclaimed as Child Support Awareness Month by Gov. Jay Inslee, that help is ...read the full news release