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Did you know?

When you enroll your child in the Birth-to-3 or Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT) program, they also become eligible to become a client of the Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration. DDCS provides lifelong case management and services in Washington state for individuals with developmental disabilities who meet eligibility criteria.

What is available to all children and families enrolled with DDCS?

All DDCS-enrolled individuals are eligible for the following:

• Informing Families newsletter

• Access to the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund

• An annual physical examination and additional dental services through Apple Health if eligible

• Reduced fees through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

• Discounted passes with Washington State Parks

• Affordable housing options

• Access to a case manager

Your case manager helps connect you with community resources, referrals and DDCS services. Not sure who your case manager is? Contact your local DDCS office to ask.

Community First Choice is a program that assists individuals to stay in their community. You can request it for individuals who qualify for Apple Health (Medicaid). DDA does not provide Apple Health. Some individuals receive Apple Health through approved enrollment in a DDCS Home and Community-Based Services waiver. Waiver enrollment is based on available funding, and individuals must need a waiver service and meet functional and financial eligibility. Learn more here. Not all DDCS programs and services are available for all ages or situations. When you request a service, DDCS will consider if your child’s need for supports is more extensive than is typically expected based at that age.

If your child is Apple Health-eligible and under 21, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) is available to make sure they receive appropriate preventive, dental, mental health, developmental and specialty services. You can apply for Apple Health here.

Learn more about DDCS programs and services here. Do you need DDCS services or more information now? Submit a Service and Information Request here.

What’s next?

You may receive a Planned Action Notice from DDCS stating that your child’s eligibility will be ending at age 4. You will need to complete an Intake and Eligibility application to request continued DDCS eligibility. Learn more about PANs here. Tell your DDCS case manager if your contact information changes. This way you will keep getting important notices and stay enrolled. Staying enrolled with DDCS can make life transitions easier and save you time when you need to request a future service.

Additional Resources:

• Early Support for Infants & Toddlers | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
• Parent to Parent – Washington State (arcwa.org)
• PAVE: Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (wapave.org)
• Washington 2-1-1 – Washington 211 (wa211.org)
• Washington Autism Alliance
• Find Child Care / Early Learning | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
• Washington Connection (Your Link to Services)
• Washington Connection – YouTube

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