OLYMPIA — In alignment with a proclamation issued by Gov. Jay Inslee, the Department of Social and Health Services’ Behavioral Health Administration will immediately allow expanded indoor visitation at Eastern and Western State Hospitals, the Child Study and Treatment Center and the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. Visitation will also be allowed at the Fort Steilacoom, Maple Lane and Yakima ...read the full news release
2021 DSHS News Releases
Welcome to DSHS' news releases for 2021. You may search by keyword and release number.
To read archived news releases, please choose the appropriate year below:
Kennewick DSHS office move to new location in April
Mar 17 2021
DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833
Kennewick, WA -- The Department of Social and Health Services’ Kennewick offices are relocating on April 5, 2021 from N Edison Street to 6909 Crosswind Blvd., Kennewick, WA 99336–7848. The old office will close permanently on April 2. The vast majority of DSHS services moved online and via telephone in March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Currently in- ...read the full news release
Additional pandemic food assistance on its way for Washington kids
Mar 01 2021
DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833
Second round of P-EBT to start late-March for first part of 2020–21 school year
OLYMPIA — Many families in Washington state will soon have another round of food benefits available to them to help buy groceries. Called Pandemic EBT, or P-EBT, these food benefits are available to families with children who have been home from school due to COVID- ...read the full news release
DSHS to close Puyallup Valley Community Services Office permanently in March
Feb 17 2021
DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833
Access to services in the community still available, uninterrupted
Puyallup, WASHINGTON — The Department of Social and Health Services’ brick-and-mortar Puyallup Valley Community Services Office will close permanently on March 31, 2021. The last day for in-person services, which are already limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, is Friday, Feb. 26. Washingtonians in the Puyallup area will continue to access services like food, cash and medical benefits and other supports online and ...read the full news release
DSHS gets more money to families who need it most through new child support payment law
Feb 02 2021
DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, (360) 902-7833
Starting this month, families who need it most may see a boost in the amount of child support they receive. The Department of Social and Health Services is implementing a law passed during the 2020 legislative session related to what are known as “pass-through” payments, or funds disbursed to households where the person receiving child support also receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or cash assistance. These payments are a maximum of $50 for one child or $100 for households ...read the full news release