YOU ASKED . . .
I am having difficulties with the I.E.P. process. Where can I get more information and who can help me advocate for my child’s rights?
When families are dealing with multiple systems and service providers, it can be very overwhelming. Here are some helpful resources that can assist with the school system.
Contact:
Your Local School District & request a copy of the SAFEGUARDS & Procedures Handbook
Your Local School District and request a copy of the Systems Flow Chart
Your Local School District Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
OSPI Services / WAC / Eval / Ombudsman
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Education, Special Education
Sound Options Group LLC
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Mediation
Washington PAVE
Pierce County Parent to Parent
Disability Rights of Washington (formerly Washington Projection & Advocacy System - WPAS)
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Advocacy
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Family Services
Special Ed Washington Administrative Code website - www.leg.wa.gov
ASAP (Advocating for Students with Autism in Puyallup and surrounding areas)
Autism Society of Tacoma (AST)
Autism Society of Washington (ASW)
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Autism
A Common Voice
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Mental Health Services
TEAM-Child
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Legal Services
I need a break! Where can I find out about Medicaid Personal Care and Respite Services? Where do I find a provider?
We hear this question a lot, and certainly know that having a break or assistance is vital to families. Finding a provider can be a challenge. Please contact your child’s case manager. If you need a list of providers, contact the Home Care Referral Registry of Washington State or private agencies who are contracted with DDD.
DDD Case Manager-CARE ASSESSMENT or Respite Assessment
Pierce County Mental Health Services (RSN)
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Government
Home Care Registry Referral (formerly Referral Workforce Resource Center)
MAXIM Healthcare
ARCH National Respite Network & Resource Center
ResCare Home Care
AAA Residential Services
Catholic Community Services
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Respite & In-Home Care Services
I am so stressed out and would really like to meet parents/siblings or other adults with disabilities who understand me and can help advocate and support me and my family.
Parent support and networking is important to families and individuals with developmental disabilities. While they are waiting for services or dealing with navigating systems, they can find support in one another by developing important networks.
Parent to Parent of Pierce County
The Community Inclusion Program & the Community Inclusion Youth Program
All Asian Cultures-Parent to Parent Power of Washington
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Advocacy
Dads Supporting Dads of Pierce County
Sibshops
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Family Services
Good Samaritan Children’s Therapy Unit (CTU)
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Assessment/Screening Services
Advocating for Students with Autism in Puyallup and surrounding areas (ASAP)
Autism Society of Tacoma (AST)
Autism Society of Washington (ASW)
Autism Works
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Autism
A Common Voice
NADD
TACID
The Rose House
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Mental Health Services
People First
Self Advocates of Washington (SAW)
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Advocacy
Where can families find recreational programs and camps for individuals with developmental disabilities and families, somewhere they can make friends? (Adults & children)
In Pierce County we have wonderful recreational programs designed to support families and their loved ones who experience developmental disabilities, for both children and adults.
The Companionship Program
The Community Inclusion Program & the Community Inclusion Youth Program
Pierce County Parks and Recreation
Metro Parks
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of King & Pierce County
G.L.A.D.D.
Local Community Centers
Special Olympics
WSYSA (Soccer)
Local YMCA Facilities
Sumner Parks and Recreation
Boots and Breaches Therapeutic Horsemanship
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Recreation
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Therapy Services
Where can I have my child assessed/screened for a developmental disability/Autism and/or suspected behavior disorders?
Assessments for children from birth and beyond are essential for families to better understand what to do next. Here are some agencies that can assist in the process.
Pierce County Human Services Family Resource Coordinator SPOE (Single Point of Entry)
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Government
Child Find (local school district)
School District Psychologist
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Education, by District
ASTAR Center
Child and Family Guidance Center
ChildReach
Good Samaritan Therapy Unit
Mary Bridge Developmental Services
Mary Bridge Neuro-Developmental Program
Tacoma Pierce County Health Department/Family-Based Services/Children with Special Health Care Needs
University of Washington Center on Human Development & Disabilities (CHDD)
University of Washington Autism Center-Seattle and Tacoma
Becker and Associates
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Assessment/Screening Services
Learn Clinic
ARK
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to ADD/ADHD/Learning Disabilities
Where can I find legal services?
Legal questions range from how to appeal DDD or SSI, to Wills and Trusts and obtaining Guardianship at age 18. These are questions to ask the experts.
Disability Rights of Washington (formerly Washington Projection & Advocacy System - WPAS)
CLEAR
TEAM Child
COPPA-Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Lifetime Advocacy Plus
Local Attorney’s listed in the Resource Guide
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Legal Services
Tim Williams Attorney at Law Guardianship handout/presentation (PC2’s Legal Series)
Josh Brothers Attorney at Law, Dussault Law Group handout/presentation on Wills & Trusts (PC2 Legal Series)
The ARC of Washington Guardianship Handout
DDD Appeal Process (DVD)
Call PC2 office for copy of handouts
I have a child who receives both DDD and mental health services and I am getting nowhere with support.
Navigating dual systems requires a collaborative effort from both systems. Contact your case manager and ask for information.
DDD Case manager or DDD supervisor
Pierce County Regional Supports Network (RSN)
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Government
If my husband’s/wife’s income increases and we lose our state Medicaid coupon and SSI, are we going to lose Medicaid Personal Care and or Respite?
Please contact your local SSA case manager for the current income-based criteria or check on the SSA website.
Contact your or your child’s DDD case resource manager to see what type of services are funded through the Medicaid Program, either state only or one of the Home and Community Based Waiver Services (state and federal program).
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Government
If I am an individual with a developmental disability, where do I go to find a job? And if I work will I lose my medical coupon and SSI?
If you are an adult with a developmental disability and want to work but are concerned about your SSI and Medicaid you can find answers for those important questions by contacting:
Pierce County Human Services for Developmental Disabilities:
Susy Stremel (Adult Program Specialist) or
Daniel Gross (High School Transition Coordinator)
Local Social Security Office
Click here for the Resource Guide Tab, then go to Government
LEGISLATIVE QUESTIONS
How do I register to vote?
1. You can get information on the deadlines and how to register at the Secretary of State’s web page (http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx)
2. Contact the Pierce County Auditor at 253.798.7427 for information to register.
To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be:
• A citizen of the United States
• A legal resident of Washington State
• At least 18 years old by election day
You may not register to vote if you are:
• Presently denied your civil rights due to a felony conviction
• Judicially declared ineligible to vote
How do I find out who my state legislators are?
1. Go to www.leg.wa.gov, then click on “Find your district.”
2. Call the legislative hotline toll free at 800.562.6000.
3. Call PC2 at 253.564.0707.
Why should I be involved?
1. Legislators want to hear your personal story. This has been the basis for many laws that have passed that provide services and supports for those with developmental disabilities.
2. Legislators need your knowledge. Often they don’t have the information to know what is needed on certain issues outside their experiences.
3. Good legislation may die because legislators don’t hear from families to tell them it is important.
4. Because so few people use their voice, it takes only 5-10 calls or emails to get a legislator’s attention on a particular issue.
5. Involvement can be as simple as a two-minute phone call to express your opinion or go farther by taking a few hours to visit Olympia and testify in support of an issue.
6. It catches a legislator’s attention to see people volunteering and working together passionately about an issue. (They usually hear from lobbyists who are paid to talk with them.)
7. Children and adults with developmental disabilities sometimes need our help to be heard.
8. Complaining about the problems does not help if there is no action behind it.
9. You become empowered and can know you helped change things for not just you and your family, but for thousands more.
10. Legislators seldom hear thank you for their hard work. Saying a simple “thank you” can help keep a positive focus on developmental disability issues.
What are ways that I can be involved in making a difference?
1. Sign up for the PC2 legislative list-serve for information on the issues.
2. Share your “family story” with PC2. We share those concerns with legislators.
3. Attend the annual PC2 Legislative Forum with legislators in November.
4. Attend legislative town meetings in your community.
5. Meet with your legislators to discuss things of concern to you.
6. Email/write your legislator with your concerns.
7. Watch TVW on your local TV station or online at www.tvw.org to stay informed. Many legislative hearings and programs are available for viewing, including Senate and House session discussions.
8. Call the toll free hotline and leave a message for your legislators.
9. Attend Advocacy Day in Olympia which takes place each Wednesday during the legislative session.
10. Thank legislators by phone, email, a letter, or a visit for the good work they do on behalf of those with developmental disabilities.