Bulletins

Navigating Your Way Fourteen to Twenty-One

Services

Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS)
Formerly known as DDA 
‍Case management and supportive services for children and adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in Washington State. Learn more at: dshs.wa.gov/dda.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Pre-Employment services provide job exploration and work readiness for students with IEPs and 504 plans ages 16-21—or as young as 14 if included in the IEP. Visit dshs.wa.gov/dvr to learn more.

Health Care

Apple Health
‍Medicaid health care coverage for children and adults. Visit wahealthplanfinder.org to learn more.

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT)
‍EPSDT provides children who receive Medicaid regular check up and treatment for medical issues found during an exam up to age 21. Call 1-800-562-3022 and ask about EPSDT services.

Got Transition
‍The Child Neurology Foundation has information and tools for transitioning to adult health care. Visit gottransition.org to learn more.

WithinReach
‍Helps families connect with the resources they need to be healthy and safe. Call the Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or visit parenthelp123.org.

Financial

Supplemental Security Income
‍A cash benefit administered by the Social Security Administration for individuals with low income who are aged, blind or disabled.1-800-772-1213; ssa.gov

ABLE Savings Accounts
‍A way for individuals with disabilities to save money without losing financial eligibility for government benefits such as SSI. Visit washingtonstateable.com

DD Endowment Trust Fund
‍A public-private partnership special needs trust that shelters and protects assets that would otherwise disqualify someone for government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. Visit ddetf.wa.gov

Office of Education Ombuds (OEO)
‍Resolves complaints, disputes, and problems between families and public schools.1-866-297-2597; oeo.wa.gov

Parent to Parent (P2P)
Provides emotional support and information to families of children with special health care needs or other disabilities.
Visit arcwa.org/parent-to-parent/

Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE)
‍Provides information, training and support to families. Visit wapave.org

People First of WashingtonSelf advocacy chapters throughout the state, including creating Student First chapters in high schools. For more information, visit peoplefirstofwashington.org

Helpful Ideas and Planning

High School Transition Toolkit
A free four page toolkit that includes a timeline and checklist for identifying specific goals to include in the student’s individual education program, or IEP. To order a print copy, or download a PDF in English or Spanish, visit: www.informingfamilies.org/publications/life-course-high-school-transition-toolkit

Star Form
Worksheet for identifying sources of support to reach any goal:

Supported Decision Making / Alternatives to Guardianship
‍Supported Decision Making is an approach that offers less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, such as Powers of Attorney for medical and financial decisions, Representative Payee to manage Social Security benefits, and a trusted relationship with family or others who can provide good advice.Learn more about Supported Decision Making, as well as different types of guardianship, at: informingfamilies.org/bulletins/sdm

Recreation and Community Connections

The Family Community Connections Guidebook
‍Information and Resources for Families and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Washington State. Includes worksheets for identifying people, places and ideas to help broaden your family member’s social circle and community connections.Download a free copy in English or Spanish:

Special Olympics Unified
‍Special Olympics Unified school programs bring students with and without disabilities together to participate in sports, clubs and other school events that promote an inclusive school environment.To learn more about Unified, visit: specialolympicswashington.org/unified

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