text-only version for screen readers
JUNE 2025
Video Message from Mike
Helping Older Adults Stay In Their Own Homes
With housing costs rising and the population aging, many older adults are struggling to find safe, affordable and appropriate living arrangements. Most of us want to stay in our own homes as we age, but this is becoming increasingly difficult as the gap between household income and housing costs grows. This is particularly challenging for seniors on fixed incomes. The average Social Security benefit in Washington is approximately $1,800 per month – often insufficient to cover rising housing costs.
Our recent WA Cares Conversations webinar highlighted several innovative housing solutions that communities across Washington are implementing to address these challenges, along with ways the WA Cares Fund will help older adults who want to stay in their own homes.
services can get you safely to the grocery store, medical appointments, social services and therapeutic recreational activities. A personal emergency response system can help with medication reminders, fall detection, wellness checks and a GPS finder.
Due to the high cost of residential long-term care settings, most WA Cares beneficiaries will want to use their benefits to stay in their own home. WA Cares offers a number of flexible benefit options that can help you live safely and independently in your own home as you age. You can access inhome care from an individual provider, a home care agency or a paid family caregiver (including your spouse). You can also use your benefits for a home safety evaluation to identify and reduce potential fall or safety hazards, or for home modifications like grab bars, ramps, stair lifts and widened doorways. Paying for home-delivered meals helps you get nutritious food right to your door. Using your benefit for transportation
For more information on housing resources for older adults, watch the replay of our WA Cares Conversations: Seniors and the Housing Crisis webinar.
The average Social Security benefit in Washington is approximately $1,800 per month
Want to stay connected?
Watch our webinar recordings, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Prepare in a Year: Emergency Kit
Now that we have our plan and have tested it, it’s time to start building our emergency kit. This is personal preparedness, so the focus is on what makes sense for your kit. We’ll start with the basics and then you can work on tailoring the kit to your specific needs and situation. You should aim to have an emergency kit that keeps you two weeks ready. It is also good practice to review your emergency kit every six months and adjust and update as needed.
BASIC EMERGENCY KIT ITEMS:
Water – one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation
Food – non-perishable
First aid kit
Flashlight
Whistle
Dust mask
Wrench or pliers – to turn off utilities
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
Plastic sheeting, scissors, and duct tape – to shelter in place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties –for personal sanitation
It may seem challenging to store all of these supplies for an emergency. There are creative ways that you may already have these items. Having a gallon of water per person per day for two weeks can really add up and take up a lot of space. However, if you have a traditional 55-gallon water heater, you already have 55 gallons of water stored and available.
Resources:
Ready.gov Build a Kit: https://www.ready.gov/kit Emergency Management Division – Prepare In a Year Guide: https://mil.wa.gov/personal
Guiding Caregivers to Success
In the summer of 2023, Home and Community Living Administration’s Workforce Development Team hired three Workforce Navigators to help address the caregiving workforce shortage in Washington state. Naomi Spector, Yan Heng, and Julie Gardner helped further define these positions as they learned what kinds of supports are needed for prospective caregivers to better navigate the caregiving training, certification, and employment landscape. Each Navigator takes a personalized approach to supporting every person who reaches out by helping determine their preferred work setting, understanding the required training for employment, and finding solutions to barriers they are having to becoming a paid caregiver.
Along with the team’s Outreach Coordinator, the Workforce Navigators have attended more than 150 career fairs, presentations or other community outreach events, and they have individually assisted over 3,000 prospective caregivers. The Workforce Navigators have tracked more than 400 individuals who have been hired as caregivers, in various care settings, with their support. These positions have proven to have an impact on each person they support through their journey to a career in caregiving, to the caregiving workforce, and
ultimately to the clients who are able to remain in their preferred home and community settings because they have a caregiver to meet their needs.
Referrals to the Workforce Navigators continue to grow due to word-of-mouth and marketing efforts that guide people to the Caregiver Careers Washington website. This website is in the process of becoming increasingly helpful and accessible to those wanting information about becoming a caregiver and receiving ongoing support in a caregiving career.
The Workforce Navigators are part of a mutipronged approach that the Workforce Development Team takes to help recruit and retain caregivers. This team is focused on helping to advance the perceived value of caregivers and is making conscious efforts to elevate the caregiving experience with the ultimate goal of having a robust, respected, and happy caregiving workforce that is able to meet the growing demands of people who are aging or have a disability and need support.
BY THE NUMBERS
services to shape their own lives.
Empowerment and Inclusion: Elevating Accessibility in State Agencies
The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing hosted a virtual Expo on April 30. The key pillars of the expo focused on demonstrating and sharing new strategies for following regulations defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, practical discussions on aligning human services to ensure equitable access for clients and discussions of interagency collaborative efforts to address accessibility. As an agency, we use the term “Communication Access,” which means ensuring that every individual in the environment can receive information, understand, and participate. The work of communication access includes arranging accommodations that consider language differences, sensory disabilities, and communication needs.
and the presentation materials were shared in a DeafBlind-friendly format. Closed captioning and live captioning were available for participants. The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides interagency support to bridge
The virtual expo modeled resources on how to provide communication access where everyone can access essential services. Staff presented with visually appropriate backgrounding and demonstrated color-contrasting clothing for visual separation and identification during presentations. Participants’ videos were turned off to demonstrate visual access requirements. Only the presenters and the interpreters were visible,
communication access needs. We are available to provide support, collaboration, partnership and information. Reach out to our subject matter experts to assist you in filling the gaps and empower our consumers and clients to have full access to informed choices and selfdetermination.
If you have any questions or need more information, please email odhh@dshs.wa.gov. Our staff contact page can be found at www.dshs. wa.gov/altsa/odhh/odhh-staff
We look forward to partnering with you.
Your well-being is a key part of our HCLA culture! This month, we’re focusing on THINKING. Each HCLA Wellness note highlights a different dimension of well-being and provides a one-page resource with brief videos, articles, and ideas to support you.
Next month’s guest will be with DDCS Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kris Pederson
Coffee Chat!
This video series features interviews with leaders, helping build connections and inspire viewers. It strengthens relationships and encourages engagement within the community.
Catch up on past Coffee Chats here!
Watch again: April 2025 Coffee Chat with Peter Graham
Flower Power Spring Connection Video!
Got a picture on your phone of a flower? If not, go outside, take one, and share it by June 15 to help create our first Home and Community Living Administration staff engagement video!
The theme for this video is flowers because, just like you, flowers are resilient, beautiful, and an important part of a larger ecosystem we call our HCLA Community.
Help all of us take time to appreciate the beauty around us! Share your flower photo today! Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far!
HCLA Organizational Development CHANGE • ENGAGEMENT • LEADERSHIP LEAN • LEARNING
Believe in better
We are trying something new! To better use technology, improve efficiency, and provide a more complete update on our organizational development efforts, we’re shifting gears. Instead of a one-page update, we’re bringing together information from all our Organizational Development SharePoint sections: Change, Engagement, Leadership, Lean, and Learning. This will be part of the HCLA Organizational Development (OD) Monthly Update - June 2025, where you’ll find resources and inspiration to support your success.
Follow the HCLA Organizational Development SharePoint site and stay connected as we grow our new administration together!
Supporting YOU Through Change
When processing significant change, our emotions can feel intense, unpredictable, and cause disruption to our wellbeing and overall functioning.
You may be familiar with the Elizabeth Kubler Ross Change curve which outlines these emotions as being a type of grieving process. It is important to note, as a community of dedicated public servants, we are all grieving the losses related to the budget cuts. This is because there are people whom we care about attached to those eliminated roles. And we will have more changes in roles secondary to the process of finding other roles for folks whose positions were eliminated. As we move through the layoff process together, understanding the process better will help. Be sure to review these resources:
• The HRD Layoff SharePoint site provides information about how the process works as well as opportunities for staff and supervisors to join virtual sessions to learn more.
• You may also find this video resource in the Learning Center helpful.
• Learn more about cashing out leave if you are separating from state service at this time by reading the Office of Financial Management’s State Administrative and Accounting Manual.
If you want to learn more about managing change for yourself or others, consider joining one of our change-related Focal Points. Also remember our Employee Assistance Program is here to support you any time.
Above all else, during this difficult time, remember to care for yourself and others. Here are some tips to consider from Harvard Health. Our Acting Assistant Secretary, Mike Anbesse, stated in our HCLA Extended Management Team meeting this week, “Empathy is the heart of leadership”. We are all leaders from wherever we sit in HCLA. You may find this brief video from Brene Brown about empathy helpful.
Thank you for creating space to support each other. We will get through these hard times and co-create our new path forward as the wonderful community of people we are, dedicated to our mission to partner with people to access support, care, and resources.
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
A report from The Lancet Commission in 2024 identified 14 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. This report shows how cognition can be impacted by certain risk factors across one’s life. Many potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia are related to cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. These include hypertension, lack of physical activity, obesity, diabetes, depression, and smoking. It’s clear that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is good for overall physical health, improves brain health, and may decrease the risk of dementia or slow its progression.
When the Dementia Action Collaborative updated the Washington State Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, it highlighted the larger body of evidence emerging around brain health. The Lancet indicates that addressing most risk factors in mid-life (ages 18-65) had the greatest impact in reducing the risk of developing dementia later in life. These include hearing loss, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, untreated hypertension and smoking. Social isolation, air pollution and vision loss were found to have a more significant impact on risk in later life (65+).
The Washington state plan for dementia encourages us all to take steps to promote good brain health for ourselves and for those people in our care.
Actions to protect brain health:
• No tobacco use
• Eat healthy
• Exercise the body and mind
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Manage chronic conditions
• Take prescribed medications
• Practice good sleep habits
• Prevent and treat hearing loss
• Protect against head injuries
Learn more about healthy habits and brain health today!
June marks Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time to honor the millions of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As staff, you play a vital role in supporting individuals living with memory loss and cognitive decline—often helping them remain safely in their homes and communities with dignity and compassion.
This month is also an opportunity to reflect on the broader impact of brain health across the lifespan. From promoting early detection and caregiver support to advancing personcentered planning and services, your work is central to our mission at HCLA. The Traumatic Brain Injury Council appreciates the collaboration and partnership with Alzheimer and dementia programs to promote healthy brains and traumatic brain injury prevention.
Thank you for the empathy, professionalism, and dedication you bring to this challenging and essential work every day. Together, we are helping Washingtonians live fuller, safer, and more connected lives.
WHAT IS MEANT BY BRAIN HEALTH?
Developmental Disabilities' Collaborative Discussion Series
The Developmental Disabilities Community Services’ Residential Quality Assurance Unit is tapping into the tremendous expertise offered across our internal units to provide support to community residential providers. One effort to provide support is our ONE Team Discussion Series. This collaborative project provides a series of five sessions throughout 2025. This year’s session topics were selected based on the types of citations received by providers from Residential Care Services in 2024. Each session will include subject matter experts who will present a brief demonstration related to the topic and will facilitate activities and discussion with the participating providers. This offers an opportunity
SYNERGY:
for providers to get guidance from the facilitator but also learn from the challenges and successes of their peers. Additional resources are also shared during each session, and follow-up questions can be asked as part of the post session evaluation.
This is the magic of standing together for a common goal.
Our first session on March 20 was very successful! The session “Let’s Talk Behavior: Understanding the Person and Their
Behavior – Positive Behavior Support Environments.” The facilitator was Dr. Emily Branscum, Field Services Psychologist, who is playing a key role in the development of the statewide Functional Assessment/Positive Behavioral Support Plan training program. Feedback from providers was excellent –with 92% of providers indicating they will participate
Continue on next page.
2025 Discussion Series Schedule
Share with providers. To Register: Email Robin.Wiseman@dshs.wa.gov with the subject One Team: Discussion Series – Registration. Include your name, company, phone number, session title, and email. A meeting link will be sent before the event. Space is limited, so notify if your availability changes to allow another participant to join.
JUNE 17 • 1:00-3:00pm
Supporting Successful Community Transitions: The DDCS Transition Care Team will present best practices, planning strategies, and resources, for implementing successful community transitions.
Presenters:
• Michelle Hoffman, DDCS Transitional Care Program Manager
• Tom Farrow, DDCS Community Transition Unit Manager
• Ronald Bryan, DDCS Roads to Community Living Quality Improvement Specialist.
SEPTEMBER 16 • 10:00-11:30am
Integrated Settings: Understanding and Implementing CMS Final Rule in Residential Programs.
Presenters:
• Caitlin Thatcher, DDCS Residential Program Specialist
• Daniel Marshall, DDCS Residential Program Specialist
• Mikal Applewhite, DDCS Residential Program Specialist
OCTOBER 12 • 2:00-3:30pm
BONUS Session: Documentation Basics & Tracking Behaviors: Policies, Documentation, monitoring, and removing restrictive procedures.
Presenter:
• Jenny Kaminsky, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, Psychology Associate
DECEMBER 9 • 2:00-3:30pm
Person-Centeredness, Beyond the Planning Process: Using the Guiding Values as a Lens for Being Person-Centered in Your Daily Supports.
Presenters:
• Ivanova Smith, DDCS Community Collaborations Program Manger
• Courtney Thom, Self-Advocate
• Michael Rogers, DDCS Customer Service Relations
Discussion Series Continued
in other discussion sessions, and the overall satisfaction score was 4.2 out of 5. Some of the provider’s comments were:
• I really appreciate the interactive learning aspect.
• Enjoyed this training.
• This was what I had hoped it would be.
• It was probably great for folks with little experience writing plans. [I would like to see] Training opportunities for basic, intermediate, and advanced training would help us grow in this profession.
This is an interactive learning environment –where we meet each other where we are, and respect and learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives. Open communication and collaboration between professionals, with years of experience supporting people with disabilities, will lead to a higher quality of support for our providers and ultimately for the people we all serve.
The sessions last 1.5 – 2 hours and providers can earn 2 Continuing Education Units for participating.
Optimizing Strategic Planning for Efficiency and Impact
The Department of Social and Health Services has introduced a major efficiency boost to its strategic planning process—one that is saving teams across the department countless hours each year.
In 2024, DSHS transitioned from managing multiple overlapping plans to a more streamlined approach: a single, annually updated strategic plan. This shift eliminates the cycle of continuously revising multiple documents and refocusing efforts on execution.
We used to juggle plans for both the current and future years, constantly updating and reworking documents,” said one team member involved in strategic planning. “By the time we got to a future plan, it was already outdated. Moving to a single annual update has eliminated waste, balanced our workloads and freed up critical resources for teams implementing strategic initiatives.”
With this change, DSHS is enhancing efficiency, reducing redundancy, and allowing teams to concentrate on meaningful improvements— ensuring resources are directed where they matter most.
HCLA Strategic Planning Coordinators will be connecting with you shortly to identify needed updates to our plan with the goal of publishing our annual update in October.
DDCS' 2025 Legislative Session Wrap-Up:
This legislative session, many incredible staff members completed at least one bill analysis, but they didn’t do it alone. Their success was built on collaboration, enthusiasm, and unwavering support from colleagues across the agency.
Legislative work is among the most important efforts carried out by staff, state agencies, and administrations. This year, we took risks, asked for help, spoke up, showed up, leaned in, laughed, learned a ton, and gave even more. There were moments of triumph and challenge, but through it all, we supported one another and got the job done.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this session a success. Let’s continue to nurture the strong and collaborative spirit that carried us through.
June is Adult Abuse Awareness Month in Washington State
The month of June marks Adult Abuse Awareness Month in Washington State and across the nation. This is a time to recognize the ongoing work to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation and bring awareness around this important social issue. It also includes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, reminding us that prevention begins with awareness, connection, and a call to action by everyone.
As professionals within HCLA, we know the challenges vulnerable adults face. We all want to live independently in our own homes and communities for as long as possible, however many individuals experience isolation, limited resources, access to services, or have complex needs that hinder their ability to live safely and thrive. Individuals who experience isolation are often targeted and exploited. This can lead to further isolation, depression, or loss of their home.
This year, we want to highlight elder abuse awareness and strategies to reduce those risks. Across APS, we continue to put data into action. Tools like DataMart, PowerBI, and the APS Investigator Dashboard help staff and supervisors monitor caseloads, track trends, and respond quickly to concerns. These tools allow us to celebrate progress, identify opportunities for improvement, and act on emerging risks in real time.
This work supports HCLA’s 2nd Strategic Goal: Honor Independence, Rights, Health, and Safety for adults in home and community-based settings. It also reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and equity. Technology plays a vital role, but your dedication, expertise, and compassion make the biggest difference. During this awareness month, let’s continue to support one another, center the voices of those we serve, and build safer communities where every person can thrive.
Thank you for being part of this essential work.
Home and Community Living Administration staff from Port Angeles and Lacey attended Quileute Tribe’s 18th Annual Welcoming the Whales on April 11 in La Push.
The youth-led event celebrates the spring whale migration and includes traditional songs and dances shared by children from Quileute Tribal School. During the ceremony, an offering of salmon is placed on a small raft and sent out with the surf to demonstrate the tribe’s gratitude toward whales, which are a foundation of the coastal tribe’s culture and history. The Quileute Tribe hosted a lunch and more songs and dances afterward at its Akalat Center.
Developmental Disabilities Administrator Susan Pfundt , Case Resource Manager Charles Harris , Case Resource Manager Raandi SimpsonGoss , Case Resource Manager Chelsea Rider and Case Resource Manager Sam McLellan of the Region 3 Port Angeles Office and Lisa Pemberton, a Quileute Tribal Member and DSHS HCLA Tribal Affairs Administrator, were among the event attendees.
Quileute Tribe Shares Traditional Dances at Welcoming the Whales
“We really enjoyed the Welcoming the Whales and appreciate being included in this tradition,” said Pfundt. “What a lot of work to prepare the meal for such a crowd and to organize all the youth who participated. It was a special day with beautiful weather.”
Agency staff participation in the tribe’s cultural events is specifically outlined in our annual 7.01 government-to-government plan with the Quileute Tribe. Those opportunities not only give staff a chance to learn about the tribe’s history and culture, but they also promote familiarity with staff so that tribal families and community members will feel more comfortable accessing services and requesting assistance.
L-R: Chelsea Rider, Susan Pfundt, Sam McLellan, Charles Harris and Raandi Simpson-Goss
Transition, Belonging, and Culture
We are all going through large amounts of change no matter where you are located throughout HCLA, while the change is certain, the type of change is not. These waves of uncertainty have deep impact on everyone at all levels. We all play a role in creating a space that is inclusive of everyone’s experience, and it is even more important during uncertain times. Approaching changes with an Equity, Diversity, Access, Inclusion and Belonging lens ensures that transformation is not only effective but also equitable and inclusive for all everyone.
Equity requires recognizing that change impacts individuals differently based on their identities, roles, and access to safety nets and resources. We want to continue to foster diversity in demographics, thought and talent while being mindful of the ways change can impact these outcomes. In times of change (and always) accessibility goes beyond physical or technical considerations; it includes ensuring all communication around change is clear, available in multiple formats, and designed with different learning styles in mind. Being inclusive during times of change can look like fostering an environment of psychological safety where everyone is able to share their true experience of the process and feel as though they are informed
with transparent communication, listened to with empathy and assumptions aren’t being made how people are coping. It can also mean being mindful of language choices we are using.
Centering EDAI-B in times of transition strengthens our culture and provides opportunities for us to live out our values. Please reach out to Jamie Wiggins, Claire Knight, or Morgan Olson if you need support during these times, and always keep in mind the EAP resources, and HRD as well.
Please check out our other offerings:
Focal Point Resiliency in Uncertain times:
June 10 • 10 – 11:50 AM
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 240 668 313 478
Passcode: rA9kN24H
June 25 • 1 – 2:50 PM
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 297 252 349 060
Passcode: oT2QQ9x9
Reimagine DSHS: Designing the Future Together
Reimagine DSHS is a department-wide initiative focused on improving how we deliver services—starting with the newly created Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) and Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration (BHHA). While this first phase centers on these two areas, it is designed to benefit the entire agency over time. Collaboration, shared learning, and cross-administration alignment are essential to its long-term success.
At its core, Reimagine DSHS is about improving the experience for the people we serve—by reducing barriers, streamlining interactions, and enhancing coordination between programs and services. It’s also about supporting staff by building clearer, more efficient systems that make it easier to do your best work. The work ahead isn’t about starting over—it’s about making what we already do well even stronger.
We’re starting with three foundational projects that will guide early efforts:
• Organizational Alignment –finalizing structures, roles, and responsibilities in HCLA and BHHA
• Transitions of Care Mapping – understanding how clients move through services to identify opportunities for better coordination
• Policy and Compliance Planning –making sure we have clear guidance, tools, and documentation to support staff and meet legal requirements
Our collaborative efforts will help us learn what’s working, innovate opportunities for improvement, and guide where we can better support the people we serve. As we move forward, there will be thoughtful opportunities to share ideas and feedback. Your partnership will help build the future of DSHS.
To learn more, visit the Reimagine DSHS SharePoint site or email Reimagine@dshs.wa.gov.
People find human
Residential Care Services' Rule and Management Bulletins Updates
Status update on legislation related to Residential Care Services signed by the Governor. Be on the lookout for Management Bulletins as changes occur.
HB 1281 Technical corrections and removal of obsolete language from RCW. (notably, changing ARNP to APRN and marijuana to cannabis) Effective 6/30/2027
RCS rule writing to occur. NH
ESHB 1385 Concerning fingerprint background checks on applicants. (Addressing National Child Protection Act and National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, some changes to definitions applicant, vulnerable populations, care, covered individuals, qualified entities and notification of appeal rights). Effective 7/25/25
RCS rule writing to occur. AFH, ALF, ESF, NH (CCRSS DDCS to complete rule writing)
ESHB 1395 Streamlining home care worker background check process. (Changes related to character competency and suitability reviews for IP and those who use Home Care Agencies) Effective 7/25/25
RCS rule writing to occur. AFH & ALF
SHB 1490 Concerning fingerprint-based background checks. (Definition changes to administrator and unsupervised) Effective 7/25/25
RCS rule writing to occur AFH, ALF, ESF, NH (CCRSS DDCS to complete rule writing)
SHB 1720 Expanding the types of medication assistance that may be provided to residents of community-based care settings. (nonpractitioners will have ability to assist with setting up diabetic devices for self-administration or handing injectable medications to an individual for self-administration). Effective 7/25/25
RCS rule writing to occur. AFH, ALF, ESF, (CCRSS DDCS to complete rule writing)
SB 5051 Consolidating regulatory authority for nursing assistants. (Definition change of nursing assistant to add those who use NA credentials to work as long-term care worker, scope of practice modified and transfer of authority from Secretary of Health to Board of Nursing). Effective 7/1/26
MB/DPL will be issued
SSB 5200 Concerning Veterans Medical Foster Homes.(provides exemption from AFH licensing requirements, caregivers must be certified longterm care workers, have background checks, APS to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and exploitation.) Effective 7/27/25
MB/DPL will be issued
E2SSB 5337 Creating a certification for Memory Care Services. (Assisted living facilities operating as a memory care facility or unit must have a Memory Care Certification). 7/25/25
RCS rule writing to occur.
SSB 5393 Closing the Rainier School by June 30, 2027. MB will be issued.
SB 5672 Delaying the home care aid certification requirements. Effective immediately
MB/DPL will be issued
SB 5480 Protecting consumers by removing barriers created by medical debt (cannot report adverse information about claims involving medical debt.)
MB will be issued
2448 Concerning ESF (changes to eligibility related to level of care no longer apply if under the care of substance abuse disorder professional, updated terminology, removed treatment from scope of care).
RCS rule writing to occur.
SB 5179 Increasing access to the provisions of the WA death with dignity act.
RCS rule writing to occur.
services to shape their own lives.
Accessibility Resources
Tools by Software
Focal Point Sessions
Schedule can be found at: Focal Point Training Topics or Focal Point SharePoint site
June 10 • 10 – 10:50 AM
Focal Point: Emotional Intelligence
June 10 • 10 – 11:50 AM
Resiliency in Uncertain Times
June 10 • 3 – 4:30 PM
Focal Point: Data Viz
June 11 • 10:30 – 11:50 AM
Focal Point - Neurodiversity & Inclusion
June 24 • 11 AM – NOON
Focal Point: Build A Compelling Why
June 24 • 3 – 4 PM
Focal Point: Creating A Change Management Plan
June 25 • 1 – 2:50 PM
Resiliency in Uncertain Times
June 26 • 10:30 AM – NOON
Focal Point: Introduction to A3s
July 1 • 10:30 – 11:20 AM
Focal Point: Creating SMART goals
July 8 • 10:30 AM – NOON
Focal Point: Introduction to Process Mapping with Visio
July 9 • 1 – 1:50 PM
Focal Point - Exploring Our Values & Their Connections to EDAI
Microsoft Word Step by Step Instructions Checklist
PowerPoint Video: Slides Reading Order PowerPoint Checklist
Adobe Acrobat Verify PDF Accessibility Instructions
Adobe Checklist
ALT Text Resources:
Writing Effective Text
WebAIM: Alternative Text Alt Text Decision Tree Section508.gov
Quick Links:
Accessibility Resources Plain Talk Policy
DSHS Templates
DSHS Logos
Word Style Guide
Employer of Choice
Use this EOC Ideas Submission Form to share your ideas on making DSHS a great place to work or visit Employer of Choice - Home (sharepoint.com)
Shared Leave
You can donate your leave to a coworker in need. Visit Shared Leave site.
If you have:
• Over 80 hours of Annual Leave.
• Over 176 hours of Sick Leave.
• A Personal Holiday available.
Celebrating Our People
If you know any of these folks, please take a moment to send them a RAVE review which will be cc’d to their supervisor! Or send them a Teams message to thank them for their service. Either way, peer recognition matters, and is one more way we all contribute to HCLA being the culture we want it to be and our Employer of Choice!
May
Robin Crowley ......................................................................40
Cindy Lou Burlingame-Swavely ....................................30
Staci E Dilg .............................................................................30
Lori Lynn Lynch 30
Jack L Kernodle ....................................................................25
Jennifer Lynn Strozyk Peischl 25
Michelle Lee Solver .............................................................25
Brendy Anita Brendetta Visintainer...............................25
Angie S Brown ......................................................................20
Lateisha De Lay ....................................................................20
Heather J Downing 20
Debra Ann Knutson ............................................................20
Cheryl E Strange ..................................................................20
Jamie L Franzen....................................................................15
Jose A Garcia .........................................................................15
Amra Hasanovic 15
Michelle M Hubbard ...........................................................15
Brenda Kay Montgomery-Linn .......................................15
Audrey J Smith 15
Diana Georgina Vazquez ...................................................15
Fern Azalea Bartels 10
Rachel Ann Bielefeld ..........................................................10
Shannon M Cousyn.............................................................10 Eric M Crozier ........................................................................10
Erin Christie Follett ..............................................................10
Jeannette
JUNE
Barbara
Randalyn Rachele
Casandra
Retha
Vicki
Doreen
Jenneal
Aderonke
Honoring Public Service
I wanted to highlight the outstanding work of the Tribal Affairs Administrator for Developmental Disabilities, Lisa Pemberton, who also earned the state’s Extra Mile award. While she now works for the Home and Community Living Administration, Lisa’s work over the year supported residents in the Residential Habilitation Centers, Lake Burien Transitional Care Facility, and StateOperated Community Residential Programs. Lisa is being recognized for organizing a community event to celebrate Native American Heritage Month and honor Tribal DDA clients. The event featured a community resource fair, cultural presentations by Wa He Lut Indian School students, a screening of Fish War (followed by a panel discussion), and resources for Tribal families.
I also want to thank you all for your dedication to caring for our patients and residents; I know that, for many, our work is a calling.
Kevin Bovenkamp Assistant Secretary, Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration
Melissa Diebert, your dedication is the driving force behind our team. Your hard work does not go unnoticed. I value your commitment and the positive impact it has on our team. Thank you for being an exceptional role model for us!!!
Tammy Layton
Renie does an outstanding job managing social media! She is friendly, responsive, and knows the needs of each platform, making collaboration smooth and enjoyable. She goes above and beyond to support and promote key initiatives. Thanks to her expertise, Caregiver Careers, DCWC, the High School Home Care Aide video, and Roads to Community Living video have reached a wide audience across multiple platforms. Renie is a valuable resource.
Stephanie Cahill
Take time to appreciate others by sending them a RAVE Review! Bookmark the link! It’s so easy and can really impact a sense of connection and belonging for both the sender and receiver!
Tod Johnson, I would like to really thank you for all you have done for me in teaching me how to do everything. Your training & knowledge have been invaluable to me.
Shanna Grande, provider
To Shari and Heather, You both have equally been so great about training the new PBS members! We have been training for 3 weeks now, and your constant listening, answering questions, and the ability to be so patient with the thousands of questions... you need to be recognized! A sincere thank you for your efforts to instill the gift of patience and help us to improve DAILY in this training journey! You are appreciated and I'm so happy to be part of a great team! Thank you for all you do!
Kim Menne
I wanted to give a little kudos for Autumn Ekstrom. I know this isn’t anything you don’t already know, but here it is anyway. Autumn is incredibly helpful, friendly, and approachable. I know that if there’s something I need, I can bring it to Autumn and it’ll get taken care of, and I’ll get a nice conversation in the process. Autumn is really great, and I’m happy I get to work with her.
Jered Gunn/RCS
Ever since Kari Freer came to the CARE team and began assisting our business team with RRDD it’s become a much more user friendly and efficient database. Her expertise with CARE, SQL, mathematics, logistics, and diplomacy in a high-pressure environment is truly remarkable. She has figured out our business processes in half the time it took me. Her attention to detail and ability to change directions quickly under immense pressure is amazing. She is on the right side of every decision and has made my job much easier since she’s been with the CARE team. She has helped me out of countless difficult situations with ad-hoc queries from CARE and RRDD which provided information to my stakeholders that I couldn’t have obtained otherwise.
Tod Johnson