OLYMPIA -- Rosemary Tureaud of University Place has been appointed director of Government and Community Relations for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

DSHS Deputy Secretary Blake Chard said Tureaud's experience in the private and non-profit sectors gives her the balanced background to lead the small but vital office.

DSHS Government and Community Relations is responsible for legislative relations, relations with federal, state and local governments, constituent services, victim-witness notification, and the mentoring partnership program.

Tureaud comes to DSHS from the Allen Renaissance non-profit organization in Tacoma where she was responsible for program funding, community outreach and government relations.

Her 20 year career at Verizon Communications included ten years where she worked at the state legislature as Governmental Affairs director.

"DSHS is a perfect fit," said Tureaud. "I look forward to being a part of an organization that works so hard on behalf of people and their issues."

Tureaud's first day on the new DSHS job will be December 3.