To read archived news releases, please choose the appropriate year below:
Jun 02 2020
DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright, (360) 628-1043
OLYMPIA - Washington state is launching a new tool to support employment and address the long-term care workforce shortage, both of which have been significantly and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The new tool connects health care and long-term care workers with careers that assist some of the state’s most vulnerable people, while also helping to address the state’s growing unemployment rate.
May 04 2020
DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright, (360) 628-1043
OLYMPIA – Three nursing homes in the Puget Sound region will open COVID-19 units in the coming weeks to house residents recovering from the coronavirus and to prevent its spread to other long-term care facility residents. A total of 135 beds will be available at Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Richmond Beach Rehab in Shoreline and Avamere Bellingham Health Care and Rehab in Bellingham. All three nursing homes are owned by Oregon-based ...read the full news release
Apr 17 2020
DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833
OLYMPIA – Beginning Friday, April 17, some Washington residents can apply through the Department of Social and Health Services for emergency cash assistance to help meet their immediate needs. As a result of Governor Inslee’s emergency declaration in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has approved implementing the Disaster Cash Assistance Program, or DCAP, in Washington state.
The Governor’s declaration of a statewide emergency and subsequent ...read the full news release
Apr 08 2020
DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Von Holtz, 360-902-7739
OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services is offering new resources during the COVID-19 response for people with loved ones within a DSHS owned, operated, or community facility. These resources help people get information or guidance about their family member.
“The COVID-19 outbreak in Washington has disproportionately affected older adults and residents of long-term care facilities,” said Bill Moss, assistant secretary of the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration ...read the full news release
Apr 02 2020
DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833
OLYMPIA – As of the week of March 30, some Washington residents who receive Basic Food benefits will have additional funds available for March and April 2020. Congress approved extra benefits up to the maximum allowed for each household. In Washington state, this means DSHS is giving additional benefits to approximately 277,000 households.
“Having the ability to purchase more healthy food is ...read the full news release
