2017 DSHS News Releases

Welcome to DSHS' news releases for 2017. You may search by keyword and release number.

DSHS continues work improving safety and quality of care at states psychiatric hospitals

Thursday, February 16, 2017 - 16:00

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

OLYMPIA- U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman today entered an order giving several directives to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to come into compliance with the court. The order is being reviewed.

The agency continues to work toward compliance with Judge Pechman’s contempt order while meeting the quality care and safety standards that patients need and deserve. Much progress has been made in providing competency evaluations and restoration services to members ...read more

WSH psychology internship program re-accredited for next seven years

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - 16:00

DSHS Office of Communications, Kathy Spears, (253)756-2667

LAKEWOOD –The Western State Hospital (WSH) psychology internship program has received the highest standard of accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA).

The hospital’s psychology department is one of the largest in the state. Its internship program provides participants a unique opportunity to work with children, adolescents, adults, and an elder population with a variety of diagnoses, as well as with people with criminal histories and mental ...read more

Want to trade EBT card for marijuana?

Monday, February 6, 2017 - 16:00

DSHS Office of Communications, Mindy Chambers, (360) 902-0265

OLYMPIA – Note to would-be food benefits traffickers.

You’re being watched.

In early February, Puyallup police arrested a Tacoma man after investigators with the Department of Social and Health Services’ Office of Fraud and Accountability saw a social media post offering to trade “great organic” marijuana “for EBT vehicles electronics” (sic).

The investigators notified Puyallup law enforcement, which set up an exchange of an EBT card for the marijuana and made the arrest ...read more

DSHS, Behavioral Health Organizations welcome early psychosis program to Thurston, Mason counties

Monday, January 23, 2017 - 16:00

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

New Journeys seeks to identify psychosis and begin treatment earlier for young people 

OLYMPIA- On Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, Washington’s third Coordinated Specialty Care program pilot site, New Journeys, launched to help Thurston and Mason County residents ages 15 to 25 who are showing symptoms of early psychosis. 

Psychosis is a change to the brain which interferes with a person’s experience of his or her world. A person who is experiencing an episode of psychosis may ...read more

DSHS to help transform Medicaid in Washington

Sunday, January 8, 2017 - 16:00

DSHS Office of Communications, Chris Wright,

The Health Care Authority (HCA) signed an agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a five-year Medicaid transformation demonstration waiver. This will provide up to $1.1 billion in incentives to achieve better health, better care, and better value; as well as $375 million to support services for individuals who need long-term services and supports (LTSS), supportive housing or supported employment.

Following the announcement in October of an agreement in ...read more