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:

 

Second public hearing on proposed opioid treatment program in Pierce County May 10

Apr 17 2018

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

OLYMPIA-The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has scheduled a second public hearing in Pierce County on plans for a proposed substance use disorder treatment program Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Because the first hearing held in March garnered so much interest, DSHS determined that a second hearing would be beneficial to ensure that all interested parties had an opportunity to give public comment.

The proposed services from this new treatment program will improve ...read the full news release

New partnership formed to study juvenile recidivism

Mar 28 2018

DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright,

OLYMPIA - The Department of Social and Health Services’ Rehabilitation Administration (RA) has teamed up with The Washington State Center for Court Research (WSCCR) to study the state’s recidivism rate for juvenile offenders. The partnership has produced the first comprehensive look at the rate at which juveniles in ...read the full news release

Respite vouchers available for unpaid family caregivers

Mar 20 2018

DSHS Office of Communications, ,

The Department of Social and Health Services has announced the continuation of vouchers for unpaid family caregivers to receive respite through a federal grant from the Administration for Community Living. Respite services provide caregivers access to another trained professional so they can have some time away from caregiving. One of the goals of the grant is to increase respite service options tailored to the needs of survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and their caregivers and to ...read the full news release

DSHS one of eight sites to test workforce recruitment, retention strategies for child welfare agencies

Mar 12 2018

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

 

OLYMPIA—Staff turnover in child welfare agencies is typically up to six times the national average for turnover across all industries. While the rate has improved locally in recent months, Washington state’s rate still hovers around 22 percent. The Department of Social and Health Services’ Children’s Administration was selected as one of eight sites to partner with the national Quality Improvement Center for Workforce ...read the full news release

Dorothy Sawyer retiring, DSHS announces interim CEO for Eastern State Hospital

Mar 12 2018

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

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services today announced that Mark Kettner will be the interim Chief Executive Officer for Eastern state Hospital (ESH) effective April 1, 2018.

Kettner will be stepping into the position after current CEO, Dorothy Sawyer, retires from state service at the end of this month to pursue other opportunities.

Sawyer who has been at the helm of Eastern August 2013 and oversaw the continued journey of the hospital towards excellence, which ...read the full news release