2017 DSHS News Releases

Welcome to DSHS' news releases for 2018. You may sort by keyword, release number and date.

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

 

Sharon Redmond named director of DSHS Division of Child Support

Jul 10 2018

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

OLYMPIA- The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced today that Sharon Redmond has been named director of the Division of Child Support (DCS) effective July 16.  Redmond takes over for current director Wally McClure, who retires the end of this month after 37 years with the division.  

Redmond, whose prior position was as Policy Chief within DCS, is excited to continue the programs and initiatives of the agency is already providing with regard to child support ...read the full news release

Adult abuse continues to spike throughout Washington state

Jul 08 2018

DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright,

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) continues to see a sharp increase in adult abuse reports across the state. Adult Abuse Prevention Month in July is intended to raise awareness and remind everyone to remain vigilant when it comes to the health and welfare of some of Washington’s most vulnerable citizens.

Financial exploitation is the most common type of adult abuse, and the form that has seen the sharpest rise in recent years. In 2017, DSHS’  ...read the full news release

Foster kids reunite with siblings at Camp to Belong

Jun 26 2018

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

10th annual camp in Port Orchard is last hosted by Department of Social and Health Services

OLYMPIA—This week, children and teens who live apart from their brothers and sisters are reuniting with their siblings at Camp to Belong. Now in its 10th year in Washington state, the camp takes place June 25-30 at Miracle Ranch in Port Orchard and is hosted by the Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Children’s Administration in partnership with Foster Family Connections ...read the full news release

DSHS releases CMS survey report day after Western State Hospital learns of decertification

Jun 25 2018

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Stowe, 360.902.7739

OLYMPIA – After a full day reviewing the 100+ page document from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recapping where Western State Hospital missed the mark to retain its federal funding, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) released the termination letter and the entire report to the public.

“We’ve had the initial opportunity to look at the information in the report and now will turn our focus to analyzing the details and what actions we need to take,” ...read the full news release

Western State Hospital receives federal survey results

Jun 24 2018

DSHS Office of Communications, Kelly Stowe, 360.902.7739

While hospital made several significant improvements, it was not enough to maintain certification

 

OLYMPIA- The Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS) today notified the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) that although significant improvements at Western State Hospital have been made, it was not enough to pass a recent survey to retain certification for federal funding.

Last month, 22 surveyors representing CMS arrived at ...read the full news release