is archive

Trueblood Solicitation for Letters of Interest is open

November 8, 2023On November 8, 2023, the Trueblood Diversion Workgroup released a new solicitation for letters of interest, available here, from providers who currently or recently have: 1) operated housing for people with significant behavioral health conditions, or 2) operated programs specifically targeted to Trueblood Class Members. Letters of interest are due by December 6, 2023. Learn more here.

Now hiring: Legal Fellow

October 17, 2023DRW seeks a full-time Legal Fellow to work on the AB v. DSHS (Trueblood) lawsuit. This fellowship is limited to a 24-month term, with the potential for additional employment if DRW determines that additional funding is secured or available. Learn more here!

Court again holds WA DSHS in contempt, imposes $100M in fines and orders changes to hospital admission policies

July 10, 2023The State of Washington has once again been held in contempt for its decade-long failure to provide timely psychiatric services to people with serious behavioral health disorders and other disabilities who are stuck waiting in jails. Learn more and read the Order here.

Now Hiring: Impact Litigation Attorney

March 16, 2023DRW’s Legal Advocacy Team seeks a litigation attorney with a demonstrated interest in conducting impact litigation and other systemic advocacy to enforce the legal rights of individuals suffering from abuse, neglect, or other human and civil rights violations. This position will require a licensed attorney, or an individual who will soon become a licensed attorney, with the ability to conduct systemic investigations, develop complex advocacy strategies, and represent both classes and individuals. Learn more now.

Civil discharge settlement agreement

December 16, 2022On December 2, 2022, after nearly a year of negotiations, Disability Rights Washington finalized a settlement agreement with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and Health Care Authority to address state hospital discharge delays, and better ensure that people are not confined in expensive, institutional settings longer than necessary.

Civil Discharge Settlement

On December 2, 2022, after nearly a year of negotiations, Disability Rights Washington finalized a settlement agreement with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and Health Care Authority to address state hospital discharge delays, and better ensure that people are not confined in expensive, institutional settings longer than necessary.

Rainier School Case filed in September – (G.G. et al. v Meneses et al.)

October 4, 2022The Rainier School is a large state-run, residential institution in rural Pierce County. It is a dangerous place to live. The mistreatment and neglect within its walls have maimed, hospitalized, and killed residents. Learn more about this case here.

DRW Amicus brief highlights the risks and dangers of involuntary inpatient civil commitment

September 21, 2022Disability Rights Washington, the ACLU of Washington, the Washington Defender Association, and the King County Department of Assigned Counsel have filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) brief in the Washington State Supreme Court. Learn more here.

Press Release: State Agrees to Pay $1.25 Million in Rainier School Wrongful Death Lawsuit

March 16, 2022The family of JoHanna Pratt, a former resident at the state-run Rainier School in Buckley, has settled their medical neglect and wrongful death lawsuit against Rainier School and the State of Washington for $1.25 million.  

New Report: ALL OR NOTHING Ending Washington’s Dependence On Involuntary Civil Commitment

December 14, 2021DRW's newest report examines the gaps in Washington’s behavioral health treatment and crisis response systems, and the systemic failures in the involuntary civil commitment system that has resulted in the increased use of harmful Single Bed Certifications and No Bed Reports. ALL OR NOTHING provides clear, sensible action steps Washington can take to deliver the right care at the right time.

ALL OR NOTHING Ending Washington’s Dependence On Involuntary Civil Commitment

December 14, 2021Press Release For Immediate ReleaseDecember 14, 2021 Contact: Alexandra Deas(206) 324-1521 x117alexandrad@dr-wa.org Disability Rights Washington’s (DRW) newest report examines the

ALL OR NOTHING Ending Washington’s Dependence On Involuntary Civil Commitment

All or Nothing, examines the gaps in Washington’s behavioral health treatment and crisis response systems, and the systemic failures in the involuntary civil commitment system that has resulted in the increased use of harmful Single Bed Certifications (“SBCs” ) and No Bed Reports (“NBRs”). All or Nothing provides clear, sensible action steps Washington can take to deliver the right care at the right time.

$22,000,000 in grant funds awarded to create housing for Trueblood class members across Washington State

November 1, 2021As part of the ongoing Trueblood contempt-fine funded diversion programs, DRW is pleased to announce that we have awarded over $22,000,000 in grant funds to five service providers.  These funds will be used over the next four years to generate housing for class members under the Trueblood lawsuit, ranging from rental subsidies to dedicated leases, renovated houses to newly-constructed permanent supportive housing. 

New Law Demands De-escalation, Not Abandoning People in Crisis

July 20, 2021During the 2021 legislative session, Washington law makers passed HB 1310, a new law governing when and how police can use force against members of the public. The law creates an expectation for officers to de-escalate and requires police to exercise care in the use of any force, in order to reduce violence and prioritize the sanctity of life. However, some law enforcement agencies in Washington are dangerously misinterpreting the new law.