News & Announcements

Survey opportunity for community members from Washington Thriving.

The new Informing Families website is here, with a fresh design and easier ways to find helpful information.

Informing Families and The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council Community Summit Session Summaries

The 2025 Informing Families Summer Newsletter is here! This most recent publication features an introduction to Wise’s new program, REACH, as well as summer activities, travel and transportation programs, and more.

The Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, The Arc of Washington State and Self Advocates in Leadership (SAIL) have created a campaign to help people understand and participate in potential changes coming to their Medicaid services.

Informing Families is excited to announce our new coordinator, April Paccerelli! We are looking forward to community members connecting with April in Ferry, Stevens, Lincoln, and Pend Oreille counties. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to April!

The 2025 Informing Families Spring Newsletter is here! In this edition, we feature insights from long-time coordinator Debbie Chapman, explore resources from Washington State Parks, highlight Community Inclusion services, and much more!

Community Inclusion is an individualized service that provides supports to individuals with I/DD to build meaningful relationships, be active participants in their community, and connect with others who have similar interests and hobbies.

Individual Providers without a Continuing Education requirement are now able to take courses online.

Crisis services are available to youth in Washington state. A young person you care about might need help right away. They may be feeling overwhelmed or at risk of harming themselves or others. This is a mental health crisis and requires immediate attention. Support and resources are available to youth regardless of income or insurance status.

SSA has reduced its staff by 7,000 employees, with more layoffs to be expected. This will likely lead to longer wait times for services and a delay in process benefit applications. Below is information regarding policies for identification verification through the application as well as tips to navigate the application process.

Washington State offers a variety of programs and resources to help individuals with disabilities succeed in post-secondary education. These programs provide unique opportunities for academic growth, career development, and life skills.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Every year, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to lead Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM).

Informing Families is collecting information on groups, organizations, and resources that support individuals with I/DD within diverse multicultural communities across Washington state. Our goal is to compile this information into a comprehensive resource list for the community. Use the following list to learn more about the organizations available to you and your loved ones.

The Informing Families 2024/2025 Winter Newsletter is here! In this special edition, we hear from Partners4Housing, Legislative Advocacy, and updates on resources such as LIHEAP, winter safety, and more.

Homeschooling can offer an individualized approach to education. This allows your student to find the plan that works best for their student’s needs. For families with children with disabilities, homeschooling can provide flexibility, personalized instruction, and a supported learning environment that can help your student succeed.

Dogs and other animals are great aids and supports to people for a variety of reasons. Service dogs, therapy animals, working dogs, and emotional support animals assist their owners in daily tasks while helping maintain their health and safety. While each of these animals provides critical support, they are not the same, and the terms are not interchangeable. Each role is specifically defined by the tasks performed and the legal protections offered.

Winter has arrived, bringing with it the perfect opportunity to enjoy seasonal activities like skiing, snowboarding, or even a peaceful nature walk. Across Washington state, programs and facilities are offering adaptive and accessible recreation designed to include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Keep reading for helpful resources, programs, and tips on how to make the most of these inclusive winter experiences.

We continue engaging with families and education system partners to advance meaningful inclusion in our state’s public schools for all students, especially students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are excited to share new resources highlighting how we can all collaborate to build inclusiveschools.

Many great groups in Washington state exist for families and caregivers to find support, information, and community.

Services and programs often require the individual to be a resident of Washington state.

House Bill 2008 was passed in June 2022, requiring the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration to stop using intelligent quotients, better known as IQ, to determine DDA enrollment. Beginning Oct. 7, 2024, they will no longer use IQ to determine enrollment. DDA will rely on diagnosis and adaptive functioning only for enrollment eligibility.

The Informing Families Fall Newsletter is here! In this edition, we hear from PROVAIL on Community Inclusion Services, the Special Olympics Washington Unified Schools, the DSHS’ DDA, and more.

Seattle Children’s has opened the first pediatric-focused psychiatric urgent care clinic in Washington to address the ongoing mental health crisis. Now open and serving children and teens ages 4-17, the urgent care clinic offers services including virtual appointments for families experiencing mental or behavioral distress.

School bus rights for children with disabilities aim to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to transportation and educational opportunities.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration has five Home and Community-Based Service Medicaid Waiver programs. The Core waiver offers a variety of services for individuals of all ages when not available through other resources (private insurance, Medicaid, school, etc.). The Core waiver offers residential options to individuals at immediate risk of out-of-home placement or who have an identified health and welfare need for services that cannot be met by the Basic Plus waiver.

If you are receiving or planning to receive any DDA-paid services, a case resource manager will conduct a home visit and request to view the living space of your loved one. For instance, they will view your child’s or supported loved one’s bedroom, but not the parent’s or caregiver’s room. These visits will take place in your home.

In May of 2024, the Social Security Administration (SSA) finalized three Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rules that aim to reduce the barriers and expand access to SSI.

Throughout July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health celebrates Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

The Informing Families Summer Newsletter has arrived! Check out our latest digital publication to hear from community partners like CARES Seattle, Outdoors for All, and Partners4Housing. Plus, we’ve included a special message from the DSHS Developmental Disabilities Administration about the No-Paid Services Case Load.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a statewide resource that assists individuals with disabilities in preparing for, maintaining, and securing employment. DVR partners with organizations and businesses throughout the state to provide employment opportunities.

Mental health varies from person to person and encompasses a wide range of conditions. It has been reported that adults with disabilities experience mental health distress almost five times more frequently than adults without disabilities. As a family member, friend, or professional, it is important to learn the signs and educate yourself about the resources available to those who struggle with mental health issues.

Keep yourself and loved ones safe by preparing now for wildfire smoke: Sharing Information from the DOH

Durable Medical Equipment is medical equipment that is used in the home to assist in a better quality of life.

Respite is a DDA waiver service, available on the Basic Plus, Children’s Intensive In-Home Behavioral Supports, Individual and Family Services, and Core waivers for individuals not receiving residential habilitation services.

Services and resources are available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a variety of offices and avenues, but with many names and acronyms, it can be confusing! Here is a glossary guide to some common abbreviations you may hear when looking for services.

Spring and summer is a time we get to spend with loved ones doing many of our favorite activities outdoors! Swimming, hiking, or just enjoying the nice weather. Remember it is important to stay up to date and educated on summer safety information. This includes signs of dehydration, water/swimming safety, and how to stay cool in the summer heat. Here are some resources to help you and your family stay safe this summer.

Are you new to becoming an Individual Provider or a family using CDWA for the first time? There are lots of new words and terms involved!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the 2024 theme is “Take the Moment.”

An AL provider supports clients who are 18 or older, living in their own home or a family member’s home. As an AL provider, you will provide support to increase or maintain the individual’s independence in the home and the community. Goals will be created with the individual and the case manager.

The 2024 Informing Families Spring Newsletter is here! In this edition, we hear from Margaret-Lee Thompson, a Parent Advocate for Developmental Disabilities. She shares with us about her son, Dan Thompson: his life, work, and lasting impact on the community. In addition, topics include reporting abuse and neglect (a message from the DSHS’ Developmental Disabilities Administration) and summer camp resources.

Companion homes offer 24-hour support and supervision for one adult in a home. Companion Homes follows the adult foster care model, which includes a room and board agreement between the provider and the individual.

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a monthly payment for people with disabilities with income below a specific amount and limited or no work history. You will receive SSI through the Social Security Administration. Eligibility for financial assistance with supplemental security income (SSI) is a step towards other services, like Medicaid. Here are some steps and resources to begin the process of applying for SSI when you or your loved one are over the age of 18. An initial application refers to individuals applying for SSI benefits for the first time.

This month serves as a platform to educate communities about the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasizing the importance of acceptance, understanding and support.

You or a loved one you care for may be eligible for non-emergency medical transportation through Apple Health. Washington’s Health Care Authority (HCA) covers transportation for eligible clients to and from some health-related services. This can be for events like doctors’ appointments and therapies.

Informing Families is excited to announce our new coordinators joining our team. We are looking forward to community members getting to connect with these coordinators to continue our journey of supporting individuals and families across the state. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our new coordinators.

Do you support a high schooler who is preparing for life after school? There are supports and guidance available for students with disabilities. They can help with the “What’s Next?” questions you and your loved one may have.

Before your child or youth, you support turns 18, you can contact the Social Security Administration about disability benefits. Eligibility for financial assistance with supplement security income (SSI) is a step towards other services, like Medicaid. Here are some steps and resources to begin the process of applying for SSI.

As a parent or caregiver, it is important to find safe and affordable childcare. It can be overwhelming to find the right childcare provider, but resources are available for you.

Sandi Gruberg and Michelle Williams, Co-Communication Coordinators, Washington Statewide Parent Coalitions write to families on what to expect this legislative session, the concerns being brought, and ways you can become involved for your family to have the say in the decisions and issues that directly affect you.