DSHS Stories
Welcome to DSHS Stories!
Here you can read about the how DSHS and you are making a difference in our community. In addition to some truly compelling stories, you will also find periodic Messages from the Secretary at the bottom of this page. Thank you for stopping by!
IMS to DB2 Conversion
Aug 04 2023
Washington Connection will be unavailable and Healthplanfinder will have reduced functionality beginning after 5 p.m. Aug. 11 to 8 a.m. Aug. 16; some statewide health and human services and related offices will be unavailable Aug. 14-15.
Beginning after 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 through 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, one of Washington state’s public benefits eligibility systems, the Automated Client Eligibility System, will undergo a critical IT upgrade that will impact the primary ...read more
FIRCREST’S UNSUNG HEROES
Jun 04 2020
On April 20, 2020, Fircrest received news that a client tested positive for COVID-19. Other results for clients and staff began coming in at a rapid-fire pace and DSHS’ response had to be swift, organized and decisive.
An unoccupied duplex was readied to serve as an isolation unit for this possibility. Getting the unit ...read more
DSHS 24/7 workers come together to keep each other safe
May 29 2020
Conversations can shift in ways as varied as the Washington weather when talking to people working in 24/7 psychiatric care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. But one theme is repeated over and over again: We will get through this by working together.
“It’s been a huge team effort,” said Nanette Walling, Eastern State Hospital’s environmental ...read more
DVR Supervisor LeAnne Raines unites staff during uncertain times
May 28 2020
DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Olympic Unit, composed of the Silverdale, Port Angeles and Port Townsend offices, nominates their supervisor, LeAnne Raines, as an Unsung Hero of DVR.
The Olympic Unit describe LeAnne as showing remarkable support for staff during this extraordinary time. Despite having to work remotely and feeling at ...read more
WSH nurse takes flight for special discharge assignment
May 20 2020
Sometimes a nurse shows a patient they care with a simple gesture. It could be a smile or even holding their hand while looking the patient in the eye and reassuring them that everything will be all right.
Western State Hospital RN2 Margaret Taylor did much more than that in February, when she and Mental Health Technician, Shandra Stilson, boarded ...read more