2023 DSHS News Releases

Welcome to DSHS' media releases for 2023. You may sort by keyword, release number and date.

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

 

DSHS’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation introduces innovative artificial intelligence tool

Nov 16 2023

DSHS Office of Communications, Jessica Nelson, 360-628-1043

OLYMPIA — DSHS’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Technology Innovation Administration have created a groundbreaking artificial intelligence chatbot tool to help employees better serve their customers with instant access to the laws, regulations, policies and guidelines of DVR. The DVR AI Knowledge Interpreter not only provides answers to questions, but also presents information in a user-friendly manner, ensuring greater accessibility and understanding.

Key features of the ...read the full news release

Honoring Washington’s unpaid family caregivers: Governor Inslee proclaims November 2023 as a month of recognition

Nov 06 2023

DSHS Office of Communications, Jessica Nelson, 360-628-1043

During November, Washington state recognizes unpaid family and kinship caregivers for their invaluable assistance provided to loved ones, friends and neighbors with chronic illness, disabilities and other special needs. More than 820,000 family caregivers of adults in Washington state provide essential services, estimated to be worth over $16 billion and 770,000,000 hours each year.

Washington is a national leader in providing long-term care services and supports, with programs run by ...read the full news release

AARP ranks Washington #2 in the nation for long-term care, support of family caregivers

Sep 28 2023

DSHS Office of Communications, Jessica Nelson, 360-628-1043

OLYMPIA - Washington is ranked second in the nation for supporting older residents and people with disabilities, according to the AARP. The 2023 Long-Term Services and Supports State Scorecard is compiled every three years by the AARP, the Commonwealth Fund, The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Scan Foundation. The report focuses on how the Department of Social and Health Services performs in more than ...read the full news release

DSHS launches claims process to replace stolen food benefits for Washingtonians

Sep 05 2023

DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, 360-489-5587

OLYMPIA, WA — People whose food benefits were stolen through card skimming or other similar fraudulent activity can now submit a claim to the Department of Social and Health Services to have some of those benefits replaced. The U.S. Congress passed a law earlier this year that enables state agencies administering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as  ...read the full news release

Disaster cash assistance available to eligible Washingtonians affected by recent eastern Washington wildfires

Sep 01 2023

DSHS Office of Communications, Norah West, 360-489-5587

OLYMPIA — As of Aug. 31, eligible Washington residents affected by recent wildfires in eastern Washington can apply through the Department of Social and Health Services for emergency cash assistance to help meet their immediate needs. DSHS is now able to access funding through a new proclamation from Governor Inslee to activate this temporary program that ...read the full news release