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!
Safety Officer at YVS keeps team calm and on track during pandemic
Apr 30 2020
“It’s exciting times in safety,” Emily Medieros, a safety officer at Yakima Valley School routinely says. Her teammates say she could not have anticipated how exciting things could get!
Emily works on the front line as part of the leadership team and the Incident Command Center at YVS. She is there for ...read more
Rainier School Superintendent recognizes sewing crew
Apr 30 2020
“I would like to take a moment to recognize the incredible Sewing Room Crew that has come together to provide everyone with quality masks in a short amount of time,’ said Megan DeSmet, superintendent.
DeSmet said Leslie Johnson, Lynda Ushing, Callie Denning, Dorothy Jermone, Tonya Blair, Mardella Park, Kerri ...read more
Justin Grimm takes pride in his efforts to keep SCC free of COVID-19
Apr 27 2020
The young children of today will one day be school-aged children who learn about COVID-19 and how it reshaped the world in 2020.
Justin Grimm is proud to know that his 14-month-old son Atlas will see that his parents did their part to make the world safer during the pandemic. Grimm is a security guard at the Special Commitment ...read more
Mask Program at Fircrest School
Apr 24 2020
An idea sparked during a routine (although creative and thoughtful) ride into work. The idea was followed by tests and trials, and was the start of mass-production of protective masks at Fircrest School.
Richard Chase, laundry manager, and Hieu Nguyen, Sewing and Alterations Specialist at the school in Shoreline, are known for always thinking out side of the box. Richard and Hieu took it upon themselves to design face masks that Hieu could sew together and give to each of the ...read more
ESH cleaning crews rely on teamwork, extra effort
Apr 24 2020
The people who conduct COVID-19 screenings and work directly with patients and residents of Washington mental health facilities are the very visible frontline workers during this crisis.
But an integral part of keeping each site clean and safe is just as important, if less obvious. The housekeeping staffs have toiled away to ...read more