Issues of Importance in the Developmental Disabilities System

2008 Legislative Forum Update

Sponsored by the Board for Developmental Disabilities and the Parent Coalition and attended by more than 500 members of the developmental disabilities community and more than 30 legislators and staff, the 18th Annual Legislative Forum took place in Tukwila on Nov. 19. King County Executive Ron Sims served as the opening speaker, followed by presentations by individuals with developmental disabilities or their family members speaking about the importance of continuing to fund services and supports to help adults and children with disabilities to live and thrive in their communities.

2008 Legislative Agenda

• Restore an Administrative Framework That Responds to the Unique Needs of Individuals With Developmental Disabilities
  It is becoming increasingly apparent that services designed to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities do not belong in an administration which is not understanding of their unique needs. Individuals with developmental disabilities deserve that every effort be made to design and deliver services, which enhance an individual’s ability to be part of the greater community. These services need to take into account the life long supports a person needs, spanning decades not just a few years.

  The Board recommends the Legislature exert influence to ensure that the State Division of Developmental Disabilities has an autonomous administration, which respects the knowledge and expertise that specialized personnel must have in recognizing the needs of the individual with developmental disabilities.

• Adequately Address Needs of the Early Intervention System
  Early Intervention Services are essential to the healthy development of infant and toddlers with developmental delays. It has been demonstrated that investment in early intervention pays dividends for the future. When Early Intervention Services are available 23% of children at age four no longer need specialized interventions. As the population of Washington has grown so has the incidence of the number of infants needing early intervention services. This is not a population who can wait. There has been no specific additional funding to counties to address this increased growth in the number of infants. In order to keep up with our obligation to infants, funds that could have been used by adults in need have been accessed.

  The Board recommends the Legislature designate funds to specifically address the increased demand for early intervention services and that the population of infants be added to the caseload forecast to accommodate future growth in population.

• Investing in Strong Communities
  In the past year over twenty young people under the age of 18 have been placed in State Residential Habilitation Centers. This is largely due to a lack of resources in local communities to address individuals with complex issues. The Board believes that children need families to live and grow. In addition, many young adults are without adequate services placing undue stress on caring families. These individuals are living at home without adequate resources to allow them to engage in meaningful activities during the day.

  The Board recommends that adequate funding is allocated to ensure the development of resources in local communities to promote healthy family environments for all individuals in need and avoid further institutionalization.

• Developing Responsive Child Care
  One of the most critical issues facing families of young children in our society is the availability of adequate child care. This issue becomes even more critical for families who have a young member with a disability and the lack of child care resources equipped to care for infants and children with disabilities.

  The Board recommends the allocation of funds to the Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop and implement necessary training, technical assistance and supports for child care agencies.

• Establishing Best Practices for School Age Children
  Most children with developmental disabilities need specialized therapies and require specialized learning strategies. This is especially true for children experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The latest data from the Federal Public Health System is that 1 in every 150 births fall within this category. Two major obstacles for effective and appropriate intervention are a health care system which does not allow for coverage of necessary and timely interventions, and a lack of consistent research based strategies in Individualized Educational Plans (IEP).

  The Board recommends insurance parity for neuro-developmental therapies and investment in the development of research based criteria for IEP’s.

• Services for those Exiting School
  The Legislature has recognized the importance of ensuring there are funds available to assist young adults to move from school to adult services. It was pleasing to see the 2007-09 state budget include transition services for 748 individuals. Counties in collaboration with providers have been in the process of developing partnerships with school districts at local levels. This has led to enhanced employment outcomes for young adults exiting schools.

  The Board recommends the Legislature make a technical adjustment to the allocation for transition services to more adequately reflect the original intent.

• Building a Responsive Transportation System
  Transportation is an essential factor in the lives of all of us. To be successful in employment, get to and from necessary medical appointments, buy groceries, or participate in many other functions of daily living we must be able to get from home to where we need to be. If we value inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the communities in which they reside we must invest in the special needs transportation infrastructure that will enable them to participate more fully and enjoy the quality of life that other citizens have.

  The Board recommends the Legislature develop a five-year incentive program for local transit authorities to enhance services and address challenges to individuals who have a disability or are elderly.

• The Growing Aging Population in the Disability Community
  There are approximately 1,500 families throughout the state of Washington who have an individual with a developmental disability living at home with at least one parent over the age of 70. These families have been an important source of supports in the DD system and may now be in need of assistance to plan for additional supports due to issues related to aging.

  The Board recommends the expansion of the funds allocated in the 2007 session to include more families in this situation.

• Individual Home Care Provider Training
  It has been proposed recently that the requirements for home care Individual Provider training be significantly increased. This requirement does not take into account the relationship to the individual of the provider nor whether the provider is an intermittent provider or one who has chosen the position as a career. Relevant training is important and necessary to a quality care provider system, however, when the provider is a parent or family member, the training requirement should be significantly different than that of a person who is a career care provider who may be working with multiple clients. Also the intermittent provider, one who provides service on a limited basis to one person and does not view this as a career, should have training requirements in line with the scope of their duties.

  The Board recommends the legislature instruct Aging and Disabilities Service Administration to develop relevant differential training curriculum for full time career care providers, intermittent providers and parents or family members.

• Enhanced Provision of Medical Services
  The lack of providers of medical care has become important to a growing number of individuals with disabilities and their families. Many healthcare providers simply lack the experience and exposure to the unique needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. We encourage men and women pursuing a medical career to have as part of their practicum and residencies the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities in community settings.

  The Board recommends a reduction in tuition and/or partial scholarships for those students in a bona fide medical field of study who will incorporate the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities in their practical experience and/or residency program.