(TUKWILA) — Governor Jay Inslee joined Department of Social and Health Services Secretary Jilma Meneses and other DSHS officials to cut a ceremonial ribbon Nov. 21 at the state’s newly acquired behavioral health facility, Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health, in Tukwila. In response to the growing demand for behavioral health services…

Entering the sweat lodge, residents appear in a sacred place. Inside, every song is a prayer, spirits become renewed, and each person can speak freely to their creator. “It cleanses. It gives you an opportunity and safety and confidentiality, because nothing that is said in the lodge is disclosed outside…

Contact: Lisa Pemberton, DSHS Communications Lisa.Pemberton@dshs.wa.gov or 360–902–7844 MEDICAL LAKE — Gold and orange leaves swirled to the ground as Lakeland Village residents and staff lined up and waited along the parade route. The DSHS residential habilitation center’s annual parade, featuring horses and dogs, classic cars and motorcycles, is always…

New database helps answer questions and explain DVR policy in more accessible ways Contact: Jessica Nelson, DSHS Office of Communications Jessica.Nelson1@dshs.wa.gov or (360) 628–1043 OLYMPIA — DSHS’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Technology Innovation Administration have created a groundbreaking artificial intelligence chatbot tool to help employees better serve their customers…

Contact: Jessica Nelson, DSHS Office of Communications Jessica.Nelson1@dshs.wa.gov or (360) 628–1043 During November, Washington state recognizes unpaid family and kinship caregivers for their invaluable assistance provided to loved ones, friends and neighbors with chronic illness, disabilities and other special needs. More than 820,000 family caregivers of adults in Washington state…

Contact: Lisa Pemberton, DSHS Communications (360) 902–7844 The coffee shop at Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center in Shoreline was abuzz with activity recently as residents and families gathered for its first-ever Community Resource Event. About 20 organizations and programs hosted information tables at the event, including supported employment programs, community residential…

Patricia Emsley broke barriers for women at DVR and developed benefits planning services Contact: Jessica Nelson, DSHS Office of Communications Jessica.Nelson1@dshs.wa.gov or (360) 628–1043 Patricia Emsley is celebrating a milestone very few people have achieved: a career spanning 51.5 years, nearly all at one place — DSHS’ Division of Vocational…

Secretary Jilma Meneses announced today she has named Dr. Tonik Joseph to the position of Assistant Secretary for the agency’s Developmental Disabilities Administration, effective Nov. 1. Joseph has served in an interim role in the position since March 2023. “Dr. Joseph’s credentials are outstanding, with a wide range of education…

Bat Week is upon us! Bat Week is an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation. For more than 20 years, the Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Fish and Wildlife have teamed up to work to preserve a robust…