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
WA Cares offers Customer Care with a Personal Touch
Behind every e-mail or phone call is a story and at the WA Cares Fun; our Benefits and Customer Care team is listening.
Since the program began, WA Cares has helped reshape how Washingtonians prepare for their long-term care needs.
At the core of the program is a small but mighty customer care team with 194 combined years of customer and patient care experience.
Seven in 10 of us will need long-term care. Most of us will need help to live independently at some point in our lives. For some, this will be temporary after an accident or illness. For others, the need will strike late in life.
Diana, a customer care specialist, remembers a call that stuck with her.
“A customer was calling from the hallway in the hospital as her mother had just suffered a stroke. She was desperate and anxious for help and guidance for her mother. While we are not offering benefits that her mother could use at this time, I was able to listen to her concerns and explain how the WA Cares Fund can help her family in the future.
would be able to assist her family as they moved forward with a little less uncertainty and a plan.”
For the WA Cares team, making a personal connection is a critical part of the customer experience.
I love that we can treat customers like individuals and not
transactions.
After some conversation, we decided on a few community partners that
“When we created the customer care team, we weren't sure exactly what Washingtonians would need from us, so we started listening to the people to learn what is meaningful to them,” says Crystal, the customer care manager. “It is important to our team that we deliver a personcentered experience to everyone, even if they don't qualify for our benefits. Long-term care is unfamiliar to most of us until we need to provide it or receive it, and everyone's care journey is unique. I love that we can treat customers like individuals and not transactions.”
By prioritizing customer care, WA Cares has ensured the Benefits and Customer Care team is able to handle a high volume of customer interactions without losing that personal touch.
“I never have to feel rushed while on the phone with a customer. I can ask clarifying questions to understand a caller’s concerns while giving them the time and grace to explain their situation. I can offer the best assistance possible,” says Carol, a customer care specialist.
“It truly feels like we are helping the community and supporting those in need,” says customer care supervisor Tien. “We listen to Washingtonians across the state and learn about their individual circumstances. We empathize with the customers. We want everyone to be heard while guiding them to the support they need.”
The Benefits and Customer Care team also emphasizes language access, cultural sensitivity and digital support as a part of their work. This includes helping people understand eligibility, contributions and how to access benefits when they need care. The team focuses on each person’s individual needs rather than offering one-size-fitsall responses.
The impact of the WA Cares Fund extends beyond customer service interactions. The program ensures working Washingtonians can earn access to long-term care when they need it. Workers who meet contribution requirements and need care can access up to $36,500 worth of services and supports, an amount that grows over time with inflation.
As the program approaches the launch of benefits in 2026, the WA Cares team is continuing to focus on education, outreach and providing an exceptional customer experience.
WA Cares Fund Becomes Its Own Division
“On June 16, the WA Cares Fund team officially moved out of the Office of the Assistant Secretary to become its own division. The program was able to reach this important milestone in large part due to the mentorship and guidance Bea and Mike have provided over the past five years. Their dedication to the success of WA Cares, and their advocacy for the program, have inspired and supported our team throughout this journey. I also want to communicate my deep appreciation for our colleagues throughout HCLA. Many of you have shared your expertise with the WA Cares team over the past few years, enabling us to make better design choices and avoid implementation pitfalls.
I’m deeply grateful to be experiencing this important milestone with the WA Cares team, an exceptional group of people who have poured their hearts and souls into this work from the beginning."
Ben Veghte WA Cares Fund Director
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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
The Power of Community in Challenging Times
At DSHS we often speak of community as a source of strength, resilience, and belonging. Especially during challenging times, community is one of the most powerful tools we have to foster connection, advance equity, and inspire hope.
When we intentionally center Equity, Access, Inclusion, and Diversity in how we are engaging with and building community, we begin to dismantle the barriers that disproportionately affect those who’ve been historically marginalized. In difficult moments, we naturally turn to our communities for support and understanding- but we must also be asking ourselves:
Who is missing from this conversation?
Is this truly an accessible space for all?
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
– Coretta Scott King
True community power lies not just in connection but, in the inclusion. It requires honoring lived experience as expertise, cocreating solutions with those most impacted, and redistributing power so that decisions reflect the full diversity of our communities.
This is how we move EDAI practices from being a ‘checkbox’ at the end of the year to a meaningful, ongoing commitment. When EDAI and community come together, they create the conditions for transformative change.
As you continue showing up- with curiosity, compassion, and courage- remember that we are not doing this work alone. We are building community in partnership with those who we serve.
Join your EDAI team:
Linda Garcia- linda.Garcia1@dshs.wa.gov
Teddy Kemirembe- teddy.kemirembe@dshs.wa.gov
Claire Knight- claire.knight@dshs.wa.gov
Morgan Olson- morgan.olson1@dshs.wa.gov
Jamie Wiggins – Jamie.wiggins@dshs.wa.gov
Flower Power Video – Just for You!
Please take the next five minutes to enjoy our first HCLA Engagement Video: Flower Power!
• The theme for this video is flowers because, just like you, flowers are resilient, beautiful, and an important part of a larger ecosystem, which for us is our new organization, the Home and Community Living Administration.
• The images were artfully captured and generously shared by your HCLA teammates who are listed at the end of the video. (Thanks teammates!)
• Special thanks to Collin May for skillfully putting it all together!
May this brief video serve three purposes:
1. Help you pause and take a little break.
2. Remind you there is beauty to be found all around you; take time to notice small joys.
3. Remind you are part of something bigger than yourself; Our HCLA community is a garden needing each of us to thrive.
While the work of our administration is often complex, challenging, and takes a ton of passion, energy, and adaptation, it is the unique gifts you share every day that both sustain and grow HCLA’s incredible garden of resources and supports for the people we serve in our communities.
Thank you for taking good care of yourself by prioritizing your physical and mental health needs so we may keep growing together. In the words of Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer, Kahlil Gibran, “Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun.” In the words of HCLA Organizational Development Administrator, Amy Besel, “Yes, and wear sunscreen”.
Your Well-Being Matters!
This month’s wellness note focuses on the well-being dimension of feelings. Please take a few minutes to review the information and resources we’ve gathered for you.
This is a time of significant change and with that comes feelings about change. Our feelings evolve moment to moment and are similar to what we experience when moving through grief. Learn more about the grief-change cycle here. The discomfort of all these feelings is part of the process. Being able to name and release our feelings helps us move forward and is good for our health and overall well-being.
If you are struggling with uncomfortable feelings, please consider reaching out to the Employee Assistance Program. Also, consider registering in the Learning Center for some of our change-related Focal Points. Speaking of Focal Points, to support all our teammates through change, HCLA has now made Focal Point registration open to all DSHS staff interested in attending. We hope it helps. Thank you for prioritizing your well-being. It matters. You matter.
Photo Credit: Amy Besel
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
Developmental Disabilities Hosts Community Summit Success
Historic firsts, lived experience, supported employment, self-advocacy, public policy, first degree experience, centering people with dignity.
Uniting for Impact – Engaging for Change
On June 4, the Developmental Disabilities Community Services division hosted our annual Community Summit, uniting self-advocates, families, allies and partners to talk about issues that impact people’s lives. The Summit— which launched in 2013 as the continuation of our long-running Ellensburg Employment Conference—offers a chance to re-ignite our shared commitment to create a world where everyone belongs.
Typically held in-person over three days, and virtually when necessary (thanks, COVID!), we returned to our virtual format due to state budget considerations. Despite the change in venue, we saw our largest audience ever, with over 1,300 people registered to attend online or at one of several local community watch parties.
Session topics included self-advocacy, supported employment, emerging technologies that offer greater independence in the home and workplace, updates on public policies, programs and services. The Summit also offered opportunities to connect with public partners at a virtual resource fair and watch a video series featuring stories from our communities. Although we didn’t have karaoke and dancing this time around, the Summit lit the spirit of community that guides our work.
An Ambassador Event
The Community Summit is an ambassador event that gives DSHS an opportunity to put real action behind our vision, mission and values. It is an opportunity to interact directly with the people we serve, to hear people's ideas and lived experience and to work cooperatively towards building a more responsive and accessible service system that meets the evolving needs of the public.
Your Participation in Community Summit is Welcome!
For more information on the Community Summit, or to find out how you can be involved in next year's conference, please contact DDCS Roads to Community Living QIS Ron Bryan at Ronald.Bryan@dshs.wa.gov
Summit Session Spotlight: Nothing About Us Without Us
Including people with direct lived experience in shaping public policy is more than just a good idea. Thanks to the work of Ivanova Smith and other disability leaders who presented at the Summit, it’s now state law. Known as the Nothing About Us Without Us Act, this 2024 law requires representation of impacted persons on state advisory boards, work groups and task forces. And because every good idea comes with the hard work of making it happen, Ivanova joined DDCS last fall to see their mission come to life as Community Collaborations Program Manager.
At the Summit, Ivanova and fellow panelists Michael and Emily Rogers led a presentation called Working Around the Pitfalls of Nothing About Us Without Us. “ Our goal was to give an update on implementation,” Ivanova explains, “and to get people thinking about ways to support the principles of NAUWU in their communities.”
Public policies are better when people with lived experience have meaningful input.
In addition to sharing ways to get involved locally, panelists announced the creation of a workgroup to revise the NAUWU toolkit for legislators. “We needed to make sure people with direct lived experience have more input on it.”
Ivanova encourages all public entities to find ways for people with higher support needs to have a place at the table too, including those who face communication barriers. “Nothing About Us Without Us is built on the spirit of the American founding documents which say 'No taxation without representation.'" The act says no policy without representation and helps change historical injustices. Co-presenter Michael Rogers added "We've got to keep moving forward, this is a movement!"
For information and support about ways to implement Nothing About Us Without Us in your work, email ivanova.smith@dshs.wa.gov.
Thank You to the Key Note Speakers
Opening Key Note
Emily Ladau
Creating a Culture of Accessibility and Inclusion: How to Become an Ally to the Disability Community. www.emilyladau.com
Closing Key Note
Helena Lourdes DonatoSapp
From Family Values to Community Service and Global Activism. www.helenalourdes.com
(L-R) Michael Rogers and Ivanova Smith.
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!
Supporting Transitions with Compassion and Coordination
Each year an average of 1,500 clients transition from one residential setting to another. Many of these clients have complex medical and behavioral conditions that require additional time for planning, teaching, and training of the staff who support them. The transitional care management framework was created under legislative direction in Senate Bill 5693, Section 203, and addresses barriers to successful client transitions by increasing efficiencies in current practices.
Moving to a new home is stressful. A quick online search for “move checklist” will provide several helpful tools that can aid a person as they move from one location to another in 20-50 simple steps! Here are some general areas with their own collection of steps:
• Find/secure a new residence
• Arrange the actual move
• Change your address (mail, phone, bank, everywhere)
• Set up utilities
• Wrap up old residence/utilities
• Meet the new neighbors
• Find work/school/services
• Find medical and dental providers
By June 2025, increase clients served with transitional care by 25%.
Now imagine doing all these things when you need help with activities of daily living, communicating with others, or if you have high behavioral or medical support needs. Washington State has recognized that this is a critical time for individuals with developmental disabilities. The opportunity for negative outcomes is higher as communication of vital information occurs between past and future providers of all types (medical, dental, social services, etc.)
Developmental Disabilities Community Services develops Strategic Goals which each have action plans and success measures. One of the primary strategic goals for DDCS is to: Expand accessibility, services, capacity, and increase utilization of supports & services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
One success measure associated with this strategic goal is related to the Transitional Care Framework:
From July 2023 through June 2024, DDCS was able to provide transitional care supports to 624 individuals with developmental disabilities at various stages (preparing, transitioning, and post-move support). To meet this goal, DDCS would need to expand this support to at least 780 clients between July 2024 and June 2025.
As of April 1, 2025, DDCS has been able to support 998 total clients as they prepare for their move, move into their new home, and/or receive post-move support to support a stable community transition. This is an increase of just below 60% of clients receiving this support.
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.
4. Stay Informed. Sign up for local emergency alerts, understand what each evacuation level means, and familiarize yourself with tools for monitoring conditions. One of the challenges with wildfires is how many jurisdictions can get involved. There are local municipalities, state DNR, Federal (parks, forests), and tribal responders for any given incident. One of the best resources for real-time monitoring is the Watch Duty app, approved for use on state-issued phones, available for download on CompPortal.
5. Be Mindful of Air Quality. For air-quality conditions, visit the Washington Smoke Blog, which has air quality data from county, state, federal, and tribal agencies. Even if you are not directly in the impact zone of a wildfire, it is likely that you may encounter wildfire smoke, which can impact health, especially for those who work outdoors, have lung disease, and the young and the elderly. Visit the DOH website to learn more about wildfire smoke.
6. Do Your Part. As Smokey the Bear says, "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires." When camping, practice responsible campfire safety. Use established campfire spots, follow local ordinances, and fully extinguish your fires. The same principle applies to backyard debris burning. Be mindful of vehicle and equipment use. Equipment sparks can spark grass fires and spread. Check tire pressure, be mindful of ground clearance, and avoid operating equipment during peak conditions (e.g., after 10 a.m., or significantly windy or dry days).
Visit the Smokey Bear website for more information.
Visit RCS’ Emergency Preparedness SharePoint for wildfire and summer hazards tools and resources.
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.
Addressing Interpreter Access Across Washington Communities
The Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing recently completed their HB 2221 legislative mandate to create recommendations to address the interpreter shortage in Washington State. The Washington Signed, ProTactile, and Trilingual Interpreter Shortage workgroup representatives spent months on researching systemic barriers and brainstorming innovative solutions.
The scope of the workgroup was to analyze interpreter shortage especially in rural and marginalized communities – collecting both quantitative data and qualitative input. Deliverables include developing community-based solutions to boost interpreter supply, retention, and training; define quality standards and certification criteria; recommend incentives for providers, institutions, and interpreters.
The workgroup commenced virtual meetings in October 2024 and the Solutions Summit took place in February 2025 at Seattle University. The workgroup finalized recommendations and a legislative report was distributed on June 30, 2025.
ODHH has identified 6 internal action items to include in the report:
1. Form a formal advisory board
2. Create a statute for the interpreter registry
3. Enhance the interpreter registry
4. Launch an annual interpreter conference
5. Initiate a program for serving underrepresented DDBHH community and interpreters
6. Funding and implement testing fee incentives
These initial steps focus on agency-led change, while broader structural and community-driven recommendations remain under consideration and will be detailed in the legislative report.
Lifesaving Client Care
Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing contracts with the DeafBlind Service Center to provide human services for DeafBlind Washingtonians. This is a story they shared with HCLA.
I want to share a situation that happened last Monday involving our amazing team. Krystal, an advocate, was supposed to meet with a client from our program, but she wasn’t feeling well. She asked Jessica, our CoNavigator Coordinator, for a favor: she wanted Jessica to check in with the client.
Jessica went to see the client and was concerned about his health. She asked him to go to the hospital, but he declined. Afterward, she sent me a text to
explain the situation. I advised her to call 911. Instead, she contacted Krystal to ask her to call 911 while she stayed with the client.
When help arrived, the doctor informed us that the client was very lucky; he could have died if he hadn’t received help soon.
This experience made me appreciate our wonderful team at the DeafBlind Service Center even more. We have an incredible staff who truly care about our clients.
Angela Theriault Executive Director, DeafBlind Service Center
Everett High School and Community Partners Support Future Caregivers
Across Washington, high school students are preparing for life after graduation—some aiming for college, others ready to start meaningful careers.
At Everett High School, they can do both. Through the Career and Technical Education program, students train to become Home Care Aides and prepare for the certification exam.
To celebrate their progress and build stronger ties with local employers, Everett High School recently hosted an open house designed to increase connections between students and community care agencies. Students demonstrated skills, shared career goals, and spoke about their interest in caregiving. Some plan to pursue nursing, others are exploring healthcare careers, and many see caregiving as a meaningful way to get started.
Three local home care agencies attended and were impressed by the students’ professionalism and training. Many students brought résumés, ready to network and engage.
This event came together through collaboration between Everett High School, local home care agencies, and the HCLA Workforce Development Team. Team members Carly Seagren, Workforce Development High School Liaison, and Naomi Spector, Long-Term Care Workforce Navigator, worked closely with school staff and home care agency employers to connect students with meaningful career opportunities, and to help develop a pipeline of employment opportunities to support the ongoing efforts of the High School Home Care Aide program. This model of collaboration will be used in other areas of Washington State where the HS HCA program is active. Everett’s program is already proving successful. This year, 23 out of 27 students passed the HCA certification exam— demonstrating both the quality of the training and the dedication of the students.
Students who complete the training earn high school credit and can take the HCA certification exam. Once certified, they can begin working as caregivers across Washington as early as age 16-17, in some settings and following rules set forth by Labor and Industries around hiring minors for this type of work. Everett High School remains committed to growing this program and helping students step into careers that serve their communities.
(L-R) Noami Spector, Carly Seagren, Ms DeLuca, and Stacy Graff
Recognizing Exceptional Public Service
This message was shared with the Office of Governor Bob Ferguson to recognize and highlight exceptional public service.
Last week Colleen & I had one of the most helpful meetings with a WA State Department of Disability employee. Her name is Cynthia Scoville. We were having a 4-hour DDA Assessment Zoom meeting about our wonderful 11-year-old son, Levi. I was dreading a long zoom on this topic! But Cynthia Scoville turned it into the most helpful, kind and productive meetings I could have ever imagined. She was probing tough issues with empathy and never seemed to give up until we got to the heart of the matter. It's difficult stuff to talk about - and her professionalism and kindness made all the difference. It made me proud to be living in Washington State - a place that has such programs run by professionals like Cynthia Scoville
Josh LaBelle Executive Director Seattle Theatre Group
Closure of White Salmon Office Saves Money and Maintains Services
Effective June 30, 2025, The Department of Social and Health Services office located at 221 N Main St. in White Salmon closed permanently.
Services for DSHS clients of the Community Services Office and Home and Community Services Division will be available through other locations. This office has been closed to in-person services since March 2020. People living in the White Salmon area can access in-person services for food, cash and medical assistance at two nearby Community Services Offices in Stevenson and Goldendale, online at WashingtonConnection.org or call 877-501-2233.
Our Mobile Office Team visits White Salmon twice per month. Home and Community Services clients can visit the DSHS offices in Goldendale and Union Gap. With the lease expiring back on June 30, it was clearly the right time to consolidate and conserve resources while offering all the same services at nearby offices as well as through online, telephone and mobile office options. We anticipate no negative impacts on customer service.
Closure of the White Salmon office aligns with DSHS’ long-term goal of providing services in more efficient, innovative ways, better meeting customers’ needs, and reducing our brick-and-mortar footprint. It also saves the state nearly $77,000 annually in lease costs and facility-related expenses. The money saved will help retain necessary staffing and technology to continue to administer essential services and ensure people have access to programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Aged, Blind or Disabled cash assistance programs, and services to help people receive care and age in the setting of their choice.
Focal Point Sessions
Schedule can be found at: Focal Point Training Topics or Focal Point SharePoint site
July 16 • 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Psychology of Change
July 16 • 1 – 2:20 p.m.
Growth Mindset
July 22 • 11 – 11:50 a.m.
SCARF Model: Understanding Resistance
July 29 • 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Thriving Through Change
August 6 • 10:30 – 11:50 a.m.
Introduction to A3s
August 13 • 1 – 2:20 p.m.
Neurodiversity & Inclusion
Human Resources SharePoint
EAP offers confidential support and tools to help you navigate personal or work-related challenges during uncertain times. Learn more at www.eap.wa.gov or 877-313-4455.
Accessibility Resources
Tools
by Software
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
Your voice is critical in the reimagining process. Please share your questions and offer feedback by contacting us at Reimagine@dshs.wa.gov.
Share your idea by completing the Reimagine DSHS Idea form.
Visit the Reimagine DSHS SharePoint Page
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!
35 Years
Stacie Garcia
Mary Kaufman
Sherry Lonsbery
30 Years
Tamra Mistretta
Laurie Alvarino
Dawn Ellett
Ken Feist
Yan Heng
Patricia Rimar
Joyce Rosin
Chana White
25 Years
July
15 Years
T'nesa Conklin
Liza Flowers
Julie Peters
10 Years
Della Dawoon Agbavon
Krystal Brugnone
Josie Corzine
Debbie Daneels
Alexander Ely
Michael Goulet
Tia Hallberg
Staci Hanlin
Karen Peterson
20 Years
Michael Allred
Anne Batte
Joshua Berg
Kristin Ferrell
Ryan Spencer
Erin Spiller
Erika Torres
Malena Treser
5 Years
Kristofer Carol Doherty Belshaw
Myrna Contreras
Rachel Cordier
Christopher Francke
Sara Goulart
Keasa Hayes
Lilian Kennedy-Spaien
Alexis Lachapelle
Yanet Sanchez Salazar
Marla Smith
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!
