Announcement: Home and Community Living Leadership Change

Mike Anbesse, HCLA Deputy Assistant Secretary, will step in as acting secretary for the administration. Mike has more than 25 years of experience in the health care industry, with over 15 years with HCLA (formerly Aging and Long-Term Support Administration) where he served three years as Division Director of Residential Care Services. As RCS Director, Anbesse ensured compliance with federal laws while also building strong relationships with stakeholders, providers, and DSHS administrations. He holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington.

Kathy Morgan will serve as the Interim Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Home and Community Living Administration. Kathy brings with her over 36 years of service to the people of Washington State. She currently serves as the Division Director for Adult Protective Services within HCLA, where her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening protections for vulnerable adults and guiding critical initiatives across the division. In this interim role, Kathy will support the leadership and operations as we navigate this important transition period.

Paula Hughes, currently serving as Deputy Director for APS, will lead the division as Interim Director. Paula graduated with a master’s degree in education from the University of Puget Sound, where she majored in Counseling Psychology. Paula started with DSHS in 1996. In 1999, Paula joined the division of Home and Community Services as an APS Field Investigator. Since 2001, she has provided leadership across the administration.