Human Services & Housing
Staff Contact:
Julie Murray
Developmental Disabilities
Counties administer a range of local programs for persons with
developmental disabilities. The counties provide employment and related
programs that promote the goal of maximizing everyone’s ability to work
and earn a decent wage, and enhance their integration into and
participation in all activities of community life. Counties support the
Working Age Adult policy currently in effect. Counties administer
programs for children with developmental delays, who are age birth to 3,
in coordination with local school districts and other public entities.
Some counties also administer residential programs.
Counties are responsible for information, education and coordination of
overall planning activities regarding services for all persons with
developmental disabilities. Counties follow the County Guidelines, which
in combination with the Residential Guidelines and the State Strategic
Plan are the philosophical foundations of all programs for persons with
developmental disabilities in Washington State.
WSAC Policy:
Counties support adequate state funding for the continuation and
expansion of community programs. Without it, institutionalization will
continue and/or increase at a great cost to the state, putting
individuals and their families at risk. Counties do not support any
reductions to employment and related programs or the funding that
supports their administrative expenses. Counties support both new funds
dedicated to increasing these community resources as well as the
redirection of institutional resources into the community to begin
reducing the numbers of those either un-served or underserved. Counties
do not support the unnecessary institutionalization of either children
or adults especially the placement of minor children in institutions for
adults. It is our firmly held belief that children need families, and
recognize that, at times, primary families experience difficulty. We
strongly recommend more appropriate solutions than housing children with
adults totally void of family nurture, which is necessary to the healthy
development of all individuals regardless of disability. Counties
support the codification of funding for employment services through
inclusion of the program in statute. Counties also support additional
state funding for those who require special services, such as the
community protection program, or for those who are multiply diagnosed
with substance abuse or mental illness. Counties support expansion of
the current waivers and the statewide support of county costs for 0 – 3
programs. As partners with the state in the management and delivery of
services to persons with developmental disability, counties support
timely and meaningful involvement in decisions by the state that impact
our mutual clients. Counties would oppose any reduction in state funding
for developmental disabilities programs unless program efficiencies are
realized that allow for serving the same or greater number of persons
with developmental disabilities.
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