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Logo for WA DSHS featuring three people, arms interconnected, inside an outline of the state of Washington. [ [link removed] ]

ID: Logo for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services featuring three people, arms interconnected, inside an outline of the state of Washington.




*September 27, 2024*




Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
WA DSHS Logo featuring three people, arms interconnected, inside an outline of the state of Washington. [ [link removed] ]

ID: Blue background, white DSHS Logo, yellow text: Come and Join Us! Interpreter Shortage, Resolution Taskforce. Tap Play to watch in ASL

Come and join us on Monday, Oct 14, 2024

REGISTRATION LINK [ [link removed] ]

"VIDEO LINK [ [link removed] ]"

Hello Community Partners,

My name is Earnest Covington, III, and I am the Director of the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services. We want to update you on the status of the HB 2221 workgroup project, the Interpreter Shortage Resolution Taskforce.

The taskforce is expected to provide a legislative report to the Governor’s Office in June 2025. This report will detail the systemic barriers experienced by Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities and will provide a comprehensive analysis of sign language interpreter services in public, private, and community settings in Washington State.

DSHS and our community partners have been conducting intensive interviews to fill the program coordinator position leading this taskforce. We thank you for your participation in the interview process. Unfortunately, DSHS is currently unable to hire for the role.

The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has appointed Morgan Jericho, Management Analyst 4, to lead and facilitate the taskforce meetings, monitor program activities, and support the data collection process. Morgan, who has worked with the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 2023, supports multiple initiatives, including healthcare access, case management services, and legislative advocacy. You may have seen him working with community partners and leaders in the Washington State Association of the Deaf and the DeafBlind community, supporting the WSAD 2024 conference, ODHH expo, and other community events. His ongoing advocacy with medical interpreting issues will be incorporated into the taskforce.

The Program Coordinator position has been reposted. The person in this role will support Morgan in this initiative. Please see the job posting here. [ [link removed] ]

Morgan will collaborate with you, and community members and leaders throughout Washington state, to support the Interpreter Shortage Resolution Taskforce. He will lead this project through completion in collaboration with taskforce members, the contracted research firm, and with legislative support to develop a report of systemic challenges and proposed solutions.

The first public taskforce session is scheduled from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, on Zoom. Please join us. Registration is required. LINK HERE [ [link removed] ].

If you want to learn more information, please contact Morgan Jericho at [email protected]

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*Accessibility:* We are dedicated to ensuring equitable and inclusive access. Our meetings and events are available in ASL, spoken English, and with captioning. Additionally, other signed and spoken languages are offered. For more information or specific requests, please contact us at [email protected].

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ODHH requests community feedback regarding alternatives for “stakeholders” terminology. Fill out a short two-question survey. [ [link removed] ]

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Programs & Services

* Assistive Communication Technology (ACT) [ [link removed] ]
* Case Management [ [link removed] ]
* Community Resources [ [link removed] ]
* Family Mentor Services [ [link removed] ]
* Hard of Hearing Resources [ [link removed] ]
* Sign Language Interpreter Contracts and Resources [ [link removed] ]
* Telecommunication Equipment Distribution (TED) [ [link removed] ]
* Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) [ [link removed] ]
* Training and Presentation [ [link removed] ]

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*Who We Are:* The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State. 

*What We Do:* ODHH operates under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and is entrusted with fulfilling its legislative mandate outlined in RCW 43.20A.725. ODHH’s work includes:

_Advocacy_: ODHH advocates for the rights, interests, and needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled. The Office works to eliminate communication barriers and promote equal opportunities in various service areas, including training, consultation, contract management, information and referrals, and resources to promote communication equity.

_Coordination:_ ODHH is a centralized resource. The Office collaborates with governmental, business, and community stakeholders to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives that address and ensure that state services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.

*Contact Us!*

800-422-7930 Voice

360-339-7382 VP

[email protected]




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