Friends of Fircrest has issued a number of press releases in response to various events and developments related to Fircrest School. Some of the material covered in these press releases has appeared in news stories in the media. The entire set of press releases is available here, listed cronologically.
June 3, 2008
Dedication ceremony for Therapy Garden to be held June 20, 2008. (69 kB pdf)
No date
FIRCREST SCHOOL: A VITAL CHOICE IN CARE. (41 kB pdf)
April 12, 2006
Guardians of Fircrest Residents forced to move sue DSHS for damages caused by transfer trauma. (16 kB pdf)
September 21, 2005
Fircrest guardians, Friends, concerned about lack of representation on state panel. (15 kB pdf)
July 26, 2005
Fircrest School Parents, Supporters Protest
DSHS Plans to Close Cottage, Cut Staff. (18 kB pdf)
May 26, 2005
Fircrest School Downsizing Stopped; Parents, Guardians Applaud Governor and Legislature. (18 kB pdf)
February 3, 2005
Fircrest School wins national recognition—yet DSHS continues push to close school. (14 kB pdf)
January 18, 2005
Setting the Record Straight—Cost of care is comparable. (23 kB pdf)
January 11, 2005
Parents, guardians vow to fight to keep Fircrest School and other state homes open. (41 kB pdf)
February 4, 2004
Fircrest School Parents, Guardians Protest
Emergency Rules Secretly Adopted by DSHS. (53 kB pdf)
February 18, 2004
Friends of Fircrest Ask Court to Halt Involuntary Transfers.
Hearing Set for Thursday in King County Superior Court. (51 kB pdf)
February 20, 2004
Judge Temporarily Stops Forced Transfers of Fircrest School Residents.
(50 kB pdf)
February 24, 2004
Judge Allows DSHS to Forcibly Transfer Fircrest School Residents Despite Guardians’ Objections. (49 kB pdf)
March 10, 2004
Native American Night at the Fircrest School on March 19th. (39 kB pdf)
March 22, 2004
Friends of Fircrest appeal to state Supreme Court. (42 kB pdf)
April 7, 2004
Federal regulators force DSHS to open admissions to Fircrest School, other state residential centers for developmentally disabled. Parent/guardian volunteers to help interested persons apply for admissions. (45 kB pdf)
May 19, 2004
Ellensburg information session to help those seeking admission for loved ones.
(26 kB pdf)
June 29, 2004
Forced moves of Fircrest School residents
by DSHS violates federal rules.
(47 kB pdf)
July 2, 2004
Supporters of Severely Disabled Individuals to Protest DSHS’ Move to Strip Rights from Vulnerable Individuals. (43 kB pdf)
July 20, 2004
DSHS press release ignores the facts. Treatment team unanimous: Fircrest resident should not be moved. (43 kB pdf)
July 27, 2004
Parents, guardians criticize DSHS rules that deny severely disabled individuals right to choose where they live. (42 kB pdf)
September 23, 2004
Supporters of state homes for developmentally disabled accuse DSHS of “dishonest numbers game” in effort to close Fircrest School. (52 kB pdf)
December 18, 2003
Fircrest School Residents Take DSHS to Court To Halt Eviction, Fircrest Closure. (52 kB pdf)
All press releases prepared for Friends of Fircrest by Apco Worldwide. For additional information on any of these topics, please contact Maggie Brown at (206) 239-0124 or send e-mail to mbrown@apcoworldwide.com.