I want to take a few moments to acknowledge all that we are navigating together right now.
As many of you know, I am serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Home and Community Living Administration. We anticipate the Governor will appoint a permanent Secretary for DSHS soon. In the meantime, this transition is a reminder that it truly takes a team to keep our work moving and I’m grateful to be part of this team with all of you.
Over the past few weeks, many of you have been carrying a lot supporting our mission and one another while adapting to ongoing changes and uncertainty. I want to recognize the weight of that and thank you sincerely.
In particular, I know that the recent layoff notifications have brought stress and sadness into our community. Of the 1,000 positions identified for layoff across DSHS, approximately 300 staff have received direct notifications some of whom are our HCLA teammates. This process is still unfolding, and our HR team is working closely with impacted staff to explore all available options. This includes the possibility of bumping into other positions, a process that may take time to fully resolve.
This is hard. There’s no other way to say it. We are people who care deeply about our work, our colleagues, and the people we serve. And that means moments like these affect us in deeply personal ways.
What gives me hope is the strength and compassion I see across this team every day. Time and again, you show up for one another with professionalism, kindness, and grace and that speaks volumes about who we are.
Each of you matters. Your courage, compassion, and daily commitment to our shared purpose truly make a difference especially during times like these. Thank you for being part of this community and for all that you continue to contribute.
Mike
Bridging Cultures and Building Trust in Tribal Outreach
Tribal outreach events by DSHS’s Developmental Disabilities Community Services have proven to be a valuable bridge between government services and tribal communities. By engaging directly with tribal members, DDCS gains a clearer understanding of culturally specific needs and can tailor services more effectively. These events help reduce historical mistrust, offer families crucial information about supports, and honor tribal sovereignty through respectful collaboration. The result is better outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities and a more equitable, culturally responsive system that benefits everyone involved. HCLA has had the pleasure and opportunity to participate in events, represented by DDCS Supervisors, and along with Lisa Pemberton, DDCS Tribal Affairs Administrator. This year we have visited Port Gamble/ S’Klallam, Queets and Quinault Nation tribes for staffing, information-sharing sessions and health fairs. We have been given the unique opportunity to enjoy traditional tribal foods, including fry bread, Indian tacos and fresh clams prepared in a community clam bake- offering a meaningful taste of local culture and hospitality.
(L-R) Maria Zahler, Lisa Pemberton, Amy Marlow
(L-R) Kim McCarty, Laurie Elliot, Maria Zahler, Lisa Pemberton
Moving Through Grief with Hope
Lately, we’ve been talking about the grief associated with change as reflected in the Change Curve. These big and uncomfortable feelings are everywhere right now and, unfortunately, the only way through them is through them. However, taking time to focus on the future, building hopeful thoughts about it, and taking small steps forward is a powerful way to help you get there.
According to the researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, hope is a “powerful emotional force that gives our lives meaning.” They report hope stands apart as one of the strongest positive emotions that directly fosters a sense of meaning and may be even more essential to well-being than happiness or gratitude.
How to Build Hope
Here are some simple ways to build hope into your day:
• Be present: Pay attention and appreciate the joy, life, and people around you. Notice. Pause. Ground yourself in connecting with your body and the sights and sounds around you.
• Give to others: Whether offering to help with a task, performing a random act of kindness for a stranger, or donating to a charity you care about, the act of giving your time, energy, kindness, words, or effort results in instilling hope in the giver and the receiver.
• Celebrate: Acknowledge every win, big or small. Challenge yourself to find silver linings, cultivate a growth mindset, and instead of worrying ask yourself “What if it all works out?”
• Prioritize planning and take small steps forward: Whether creating a simple check list for the day or strategizing big life goals, carving out time every day to plan the future helps us move past simply accepting change is constant to the understanding that hope actually begins with the belief that things WILL change, and that is a good thing.
Learn more about hope by reading:
• Eight Ways You Can Feel More Hopeful—Even in Dark Times
• How to cultivate hope in uncertain times
And remember, in the words of Sam Wise Gamgee in JRR Tolkin’s “Lord of the Rings”, “ Where there is life, there is hope… And need of vittles.” Choose hope. Your current and future self will thank you!
HCLA Organizational Development
CHANGE
ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP LEAN LEARNING
Believe in better
Please visit our HCLA Organizational Development July update where you will find resources, tips, video links and more!
Also, consider bookmarking these sites for easy access:
• HCLA Organizational Development SharePoint site
• Training and Development Opportunities Site
• Focal Point Site
• Connection Cafes Site
Built on a Foundation of Collaboration and Community Partnerships
The Summit is guided by a steering committee with broad representation from self-advocacy organizations, state and county staff, Supported Employment and Supported Living providers, and other partners and allies.
Primary funding for the Community Summit comes from the DSHS Roads to Community Living Community Reinvestment grant, which aims to increase the capacity of our communities to support individuals. This year, the Developmental Disabilities Council and Washington state counties partnered with us to produce a visionary and out-of-the box conference.
The opportunity to gather, make connections, and share stories, ideas and experiences is essential to the success of the Summit. While presentations were streamed on a virtual conference platform, a number of county developmental disability agencies sponsored in-person watch parties in Benton, Franklin, Chelan, Douglas, Clallam, Clark, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima counties. Watch parties gave people an opportunity to watch and discuss Summit presentations together and host additional activities for engagement and connection.
The Spokane County watch party introduced the closing keynote and concluded our conference with a round of singing "Happy Birthday" to speaker Helena Donato-Sapp. And DDCS Region 2 Transitional Care Unit program manager
Alisa Rettenmier organized a staff watch party with three conference rooms set up to stream every summit session. DDCS staff enjoyed a day together, with a "Get To Know You" bingo icebreaker game, a potluck lunch and a photo booth!
Bridge Forward Virtual Conference
The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council is partnering with the National Leadership Consortium to host a free virtual conference focused on behavioral health and developmental disabilities. Dates: July 24 & 25 and bonus day July 31 or Aug. 1 Registration is now open!
Staying informed with Smokey the Bear
Wildfires are a frequent and costly hazard in Washington State, making it important to raise awareness and share information. Use these tips to help keep you and your family safe.
1. Assess Your Risk . One of the first steps in preparing for an emergency is assessing your risk. View your area’s relative wildfire risk on FEMA’s wildfire risk index map.
2. Assess Your Home and Create Defensible Space. An estimated 80% of homes lost to wildfires may have been saved if defensible space was created around them and the brush was cleared. Read DNR's post on defensible space, and download their 12-step guide.
3. Build an Emergency Kit. Maintain a two-week disaster-readiness kit for your home and have a grab-and-go kit for sudden evacuations. These kits should include all members of your family, including pets. Read Washington’s Emergency Management Division’s guide to putting together emergency kits.
A Year of Progress Thanks to Your Commitment and Compassion
This month marks the one-year anniversary of the implementation of Washington’s 1915(i) Community Behavioral Health Services benefit—a milestone that represents not just a major systems change, but the dedication, perseverance, and compassion of Home and Community Services staff across the state.
Launching a new Medicaid benefit is
Your efforts have helped thousands of individuals gain access to the behavioral health support they need to remain in their homes and communities.
never simple. Doing so in the context of ongoing workforce challenges, a transforming long-term services system, and ever-growing demand makes your achievements all the more remarkable. From eligibility assessments to care planning, coordination, and documentation, your efforts have helped thousands of individuals gain access to the behavioral health support they need to remain in their homes and communities.
We know that this work has not been without its challenges. But we also know that it has made a real and lasting difference— and that is thanks to you. As we continue refining and strengthening this benefit, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your flexibility, your professionalism, and above all, your commitment to the people we serve. Together, you’ve helped bring a new vision of integrated, community-based care to life. A success that speaks to the impact you've made.
Scam Season: Protecting Vulnerable Adults from Summer Fraud
As the summer season begins, so do increased scams targeting vulnerable adults in Washington. These seasonal frauds—ranging from fake toll payment texts and travel deals to home repair scams and government imposters—can cause significant harm, especially to individuals who are isolated or living with cognitive challenges.
This issue aligns with HCLA's strategic goal of increasing awareness and use of services to support safety and independence. Preventing financial exploitation is a vital part of helping vulnerable adults remain safe in their homes and communities. When we raise awareness about scams, we strengthen protective networks and promote independence.
One of the fastest-growing scams this season is the toll scam, in which individuals receive fake texts claiming they owe a small road toll. These messages often appear legitimate but link to fraudulent payment portals designed to steal credit card information.
Other scams include:
Too-good-to-be-true vacation offers that disappear after payment
Unlicensed home repair "deals" demanding cash upfront
Urgent payment threats from scammers pretending to be utility or government workers
Please remind the individuals you serve to:
Slow down and verify before responding to unsolicited messages
Avoid clicking on suspicious links
Check-in with a trusted person before providing personal or financial information
Resources to share:
WSDOT – Toll Scam Info
WA Attorney General – Consumer Protection
FTC – Scam Alerts
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Together, we can uphold HCLA's mission by empowering adults to protect themselves and live safely and confidently.
Thank you Gina Marchello for covering a 24 hour that was not assigned to you and flexing your time so that the AV could be seen when access to the home was available. You went over and beyond and your help was greatly appreciated.
Susie Goodwin
Di Walker is the best example of the values that HCLA emphasizes. I had met with a few Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff members, of which Di was one, and saw the care she has for co-workers and most of all, the community that we serve. The culture at ODHH that she fostered was one of the reasons I eagerly applied to work for ODHH. In that time that we have worked together, my journey has been well-guided by Di Walker. I will always be grateful to have worked with her. I am confident in saying that ODHH have been all the brighter and stronger by her guidance in the various roles Di has served in.
Elizabeth Luttrell
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!
Carmen Toscano is always available to answer questions and help with issues that come about when i have had clerical coverage. She has also jumped in to cover my lunch when i had all day coverage. I really appreciate how approachable she is in the midst of her busy day.
Anne Ficek
Today William Sommerfeld spent time with a citizen visiting the Rock Point Building for reasons outside of DSHS. She was in crisis, crying, yelling, and swearing regarding a personal matter she was dealing with. William reached out to help her and was very kind, helpful and non-judgmental. He was able to calm her down and give her hope as to the next steps she should take in her overwhelming situation.
Nichole Garcia
Thank you, Troy O’Malyle for your professionalism and work ethic. You spend significant time speaking with PDN contractors during the contracting process. I have heard numerous times from PDN contractors how thankful they are for your help and support. You have been such a valuable addition, and I am thankful to have you as a co-worker.
Kaila O'Dell
Recently a respected leader from the AAA network sent a note of appreciation for Aime Fink, HCS Area Agency on Aging Unit Manager. She said: “I’m part of the Area Plan Workgroup. I wanted to take a moment to appreciate Aime Fink and her team for making this process highly collaborative and a positive experience. The discussions have been thoughtful and from my point of view resulted in clear and streamlined processes. I’m grateful for the partnership.” Well done to Aime and her team (Dana Allard-Webb, Family Caregiver Program Manager and Cameron Akita, Senior Nutrition and State Plan Program Manager)!
We see you and appreciate your collaborative work to optimize the Aging Network for older adults who rely on its services!
