Head of state Department of Social and Health Services announces resignation

OLYMPIA, Wash.  —  Kevin W. Quigley, the head of Washington's Department of Social and Health Services,  on Tuesday announced his resignation after three years at the state's biggest agency.


Quigley  told Gov. Jay Inslee he'll resign once a successor has been named.

“This was always a mission for me and never a job,” Quigley said in a DSHA news release. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to use the generosity of the people of the state of Washington to transform so many lives and relieve so much suffering among our most vulnerable citizens. I believe DSHS is in great shape to move forward without me.”

As for his future plans, Quigley said he would like to “climb Denali’s West Rib and scale the face of Half Dome” in California. An experienced mountaineer, Quigley has climbed peaks around the world. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Lake Stevens and have four children.

“We have families here in Washington who struggle and need our help to keep their children safe, comfortable and healthy,” said Quigley.  “My proudest time will always be the time I spent with our DSHS team who go to work each day to protect children, help our elderly live safely in their own homes, treat people with mental illnesses, feed the hungry and help house the homeless."

The agency runs several state programs including Medicaid, Child Protective Services and mental health and addiction services.